Appliance Repair FAQs

Dryer sheets won’t damage your dryer, but they can leave behind residue that clogs the lint screen or coats the moisture sensor, which may affect performance. If you use them, we recommend regularly cleaning your lint screen with soap and water and wiping down the moisture sensor with a damp cloth.

A properly working dryer should take about 45 minutes to dry a large load. If your dryer is taking more than an hour, it may be due to clogged vents, a weak heating element, or poor airflow. It’s a good idea to have your vents checked if drying times are increasing.

The smell during a self-cleaning cycle comes from grease, food debris, and residue being incinerated at high heat. Make sure your kitchen is well-ventilated—open a window or run a fan—to reduce the smell and keep your smoke detectors from going off.

Gas ovens use a glow-bar igniter to ignite the gas. It may glow, but if it doesn't reach the proper temperature, the gas valve won't open, and the oven won’t heat. This usually means the igniter is weak and needs to be replaced.

If there are suds left in your washing machine it may often happen when too much detergent is used. Double-check the detergent packaging for the recommended amount, especially if you're using a high-efficiency (HE) washer. More soap doesn’t mean cleaner clothes—in fact, it can cause buildup and lead to odors or poor rinsing.

Washers create warm water by mixing hot and cold water. During colder months, incoming cold water is much colder, which affects the overall temperature. Additionally, if your hot water supply is restricted or slow, it can also cause the warm cycle to run cooler than expected.

If there is a metal grid or coil on the back of your refrigerator, it needs space for proper ventilation—leave at least 1 inch between the back of the unit and the wall. Without this clearance, the compressor can overheat and reduce the lifespan of your appliance.

Before taking your old unit to the landfill, it must have the refrigerant properly evacuated by a licensed technician. Sarah’s Appliance Repair can assist with this or point you in the right direction to stay compliant with local and federal regulations.

It depends. If the unit is self-defrosting and temperatures in your garage drop below 50°F, the Compressor oil can thicken, potentially causing damage. For garages, we recommend using garage-ready units designed for fluctuating temperatures.

In many cases, yes. A well-maintained refrigerator, washer, or dryer can last 15–20 years. We recommend getting a professional diagnosis to see if the appliance has life left in it. Replacing a similar-priced unit today often means lower quality due to cheaper materials and components.

Repairing is often more cost-effective, especially when considering today’s lower build quality on many new appliances. Our technicians will always give you an honest assessment. If the repair will extend the life of your appliance for years to come, we’ll let you know. If not, we’ll explain your options.

Our service fee covers the technician’s time to travel to your home, inspect the appliance, and provide a professional diagnosis and written estimate. It is not applied toward the cost of repair. Be cautious—some companies say they apply the fee, but simply inflate the repair price. We believe in transparent, fair pricing.

Repair costs vary depending on the appliance and issue, but most repairs fall between 25%–30% of the cost of a new machine. For high-end or built-in appliances, repairs can be even more cost-effective when compared to the price of replacement.

While appliance prices may look similar on the surface, cheaper models are built with lower-quality parts. A $400 washer today isn’t built the same as a $400 washer from 15 years ago. Expect to pay more for durability and longevity—higher-end models use better components and last longer.

Believe it or not, one of the most common issues is an unplugged or partially unplugged appliance or a tripped breaker. It happens more than you’d think!

If your appliance is under warranty, using an authorized service provider ensures the repair will be covered and properly documented. Even outside of warranty, authorized technicians have factory training and access to service bulletins that ensure repairs are done right the first time.

Yes. We use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts whenever possible. These parts are designed to fit and function exactly like the originals, ensuring long-term reliability and performance.

At Sarah’s Appliance Repair, we do not offer after-hours emergency service, but we prioritize quick scheduling and same-day service when available. Our regular hours are Monday through Friday from 8AM–5PM, and Saturday from 8AM–12PM.

You can schedule online 24/7 or call us directly at 505-688-4005 during business hours.

Our technician will arrive within your scheduled window, diagnose the issue, and provide a written estimate. We carry common parts on hand to complete many repairs in a single visit. We’ll explain everything clearly and leave your home just as clean as we found it.

Lower quotes can be misleading. Some companies cut corners by repairing individual components instead of replacing entire assemblies, which may not be manufacturer-recommended and can void your warranty. At Sarah’s, we only perform repairs that are safe, effective, and manufacturer-approved.

New refrigerators take time to reach full cooling capacity—usually 12 to 24 hours after being plugged in. Be sure the doors stay closed during that time and that the unit has proper clearance and ventilation.

It shouldn’t. First, make sure the condenser coils are clean and that the fridge has 1–2 inches of clearance from the wall. If that doesn’t help, it could be a faulty thermostat, gasket, or defrost system. Give us a call to take a closer look.

A small amount of water is normal—it keeps the seals from drying out. But if you’re seeing standing water or dirty water left behind, there could be a clog in your dishwasher, faulty pump, or drain line issue. We can diagnose the issue quickly.

Check that the burners are clean and free of food debris. Use a pin to gently clear the burner holes (with gas off). If the igniters still don’t spark, you may need a new ignition module or switch.