c/appliance-repairers

Had to choose between a full compressor swap or a leak repair on a 2018 fridge

Customer's fridge was out and the quote for a new compressor was almost $700. I found a tiny leak in the evaporator line behind the panel, which would be way cheaper to fix. I went with the repair, using a proper epoxy sealant and a vacuum test. It's been holding for three months now, but I still wonder if I just delayed the inevitable. Has anyone else had a similar call on an older unit where the cheaper fix actually lasted?

Spent 4 hours on a Samsung dryer that just needed a $2 thermal fuse

The customer in Springfield said it was making a loud noise and not heating. I spent most of the afternoon checking the blower wheel, belt, and motor before I finally found the blown thermal fuse. It was hidden behind the back panel and I just missed it on my first look. Anyone else ever waste a whole afternoon on something that simple?

A job in a 1920s apartment building in Chicago changed how I check for gas leaks

I was working on an old gas stove there last month and my standard soapy water test didn't show anything. The customer mentioned a faint smell, so I borrowed a buddy's TIF8800A combustible gas detector as a last check. It picked up a tiny leak from a cracked fitting the soap bubbles missed completely. Now I always bring a detector to any pre-1940s building. What's your go-to method for checking old gas lines?

Saw a 1980s Maytag dryer still running at a laundromat in Boise, made me think about planned obsolescence.

The ice maker that fought me for three days straight

Got a call for a Samsung fridge not making ice, figured it was the usual water filter or valve. Spent 45 minutes checking those, all good. Then I found the real issue: a tiny, broken plastic arm inside the ice maker unit itself. The part was only $12, but getting the new one to seat perfectly and trigger the micro switch took me another two hours of fiddling. I must have taken that whole assembly out and put it back in five times. Has anyone else had a simple repair turn into a multi-day project because of one stubborn little piece?

My buddy in Omaha says we should stop pushing extended warranties on every repair.

He told me flat out, 'You're selling fear, not a service, and it makes people trust us less.' That stuck with me, because I'd always seen it as easy extra cash. Do you think offering them only on high-cost parts is a better approach?

The shift from mechanical to electronic controls on washers in my shop

I've been in my shop in Spokane for 15 years, and the biggest change I see is the parts I order. Back in 2010, I'd stock up on timers and mechanical switches. Now, 80% of my calls are for circuit boards and touchpad assemblies. It happened over about five years as the big brands switched over. Anyone else find their diagnostic process is mostly a multimeter and a laptop now?

Vent: A customer in Phoenix insisted I was wrong about his fridge compressor until I showed him the meter reading.

He kept saying, "It's just the fan, I watched a video," while I had my Fluke meter on the compressor terminals showing an open circuit. I finally had to pull the whole unit out to prove the sealed system was shot. How do you guys handle customers who are absolutely convinced they know the diagnosis from online videos?

Stop wasting time on fancy diagnostic tools for every fridge leak

Honestly, a soapy water spray and your ears will find 90% of leaks faster than any electronic detector. Tbh, I've seen guys spend hours on gear when a simple listen would do it.

Why does nobody talk about salty air ruining tools on coastal repair trips?

I drove out to a seaside rental to fix a dryer last month. The ocean breeze had EVERY metal part in my kit starting to rust by day three. How do you handle tool care when working near the water?

TIL my uncle's fridge fixes always came with life advice

Ngl, he used to help everyone on our street with their appliances for just a smile. Honestly, it feels like now it's all service fees and quick jobs without the personal touch. Do you think the trade has lost some of that neighborly connection over the years?

PSA: My cousin's dishwasher idea with foil went totally wrong

He covered the rack with aluminum foil thinking it would help with stains, but it messed up the heating part. I spent all afternoon fixing the damage. What's the silliest home fix someone has asked you about?

Registration push in my city has repair guys split

The city council is trying to make all appliance repairers get a permit. Some techs say it will help customers trust us more, but others argue it's just extra cost. Have you dealt with this where you are?

My little project: Turning a broken toaster into a desk lamp (it actually looks cool)

I never check for bugs before fixing appliances. A family of ants fixed a circuit board for me once.

Unpopular opinion: Skipping the condensate drain check on fridges is a waste of time

I've been fixing appliances for years, and it always surprises me how many techs blame the ice maker for fridge leaks. On a recent job, the customer was sure the ice maker was faulty, but when I checked the condensate drain, it was clogged with gunk. A clean with warm water and a pipe cleaner fixed it right away. The customer was amazed, and I saved them from a pointless repair. I think we skip the simple steps too often. Now, I always inspect the drain first, and it solves most leaks. This habit makes jobs faster and customers happier. What's the first thing you check for fridge leaks?

My cousin's DIY fix cost me a whole weekend job

He tried to save a few bucks by jamming a part into his dryer himself. Now the drum is seized up and I have to order a new motor. I think family should just call us first instead of making things worse. It feels like they don't respect our skills at all. This kind of thing burns me out more than any tough repair.