Article
Texas storms are powerful. Lightning, downed lines and grid problems can send a spike of electricity through your home in a split second. You may not see the damage right away, but your appliances may.
This guide explains what surges are and what you can do. If a storm has already hurt an appliance, call (972) 449-9527. We handle control board and electronics problems, with same-day visits when you call early.
Quick answer
- Surges come from storms, outages and grid switching.
- Use surge protectors for small electronics and consider whole-home protection.
- Unplug sensitive items during severe storms when it is safe.
What is a power surge?
A surge is a short spike in voltage. It can come from lightning, a power line problem or when the power comes back on after an outage.
What gets damaged first
- Control boards on washers, dryers and fridges.
- Displays and touch panels.
- Smart appliance modules.
Simple protection steps
- Use a good surge protector on small appliances and electronics.
- Ask an electrician about whole-home surge protection.
- Unplug small appliances during severe storms if you can do it safely.
- Do not run extension cords across wet areas.
After an outage
If you unplugged the fridge, wait about five minutes before plugging it back in. Leave other large appliances off for a few minutes after power returns.
Signs of surge damage
- A dead display
- A board that clicks but does nothing
- Random error codes
Types of surge protection
- Plug-in surge protectors protect small electronics and some small appliances.
- Whole-home surge protection is installed at your electrical panel by an electrician.
- Dedicated protection for sensitive loads, such as a fridge, may be an option. Ask an electrician.
Appliances most at risk
- Smart refrigerators and washers
- Ovens with digital controls
- Dishwashers and dryers with electronic boards
A storm-day routine
- Charge your phone and note a safe place for food.
- Unplug small appliances if it is safe to reach the plug.
- Leave large appliances plugged in unless you have been told otherwise by an electrician.
- After the storm, wait before you restart appliances.
- Check for odd sounds, smells or error codes.
Warranty and insurance
Some warranties and home policies treat surge damage differently. Keep your receipts and take photos of damage. Ask your provider what they cover.
Signs a surge hurt your appliance months later
Surge damage is not always instant. Parts can weaken and fail weeks or months later. If an appliance starts giving odd errors after a big storm, mention the storm to your technician. It helps us test the right parts.
What an electrician can do
- Install a whole-home surge protector at the panel.
- Check that your home is grounded correctly.
- Advise on dedicated circuits for large appliances.
This work is for a licensed electrician. We repair the appliances, and we are happy to explain what we find.
Get it checked
Surge damage is not always clear. A control board repair or diagnostic visit can find it.
Need help now?
If a storm knocked out your appliance, call us. We offer same-day visits and emergency help 24 hours a day. Searching for appliance repair near me? Call (972) 449-9527 for same-day service and emergency help in The Colony and nearby cities. We take calls 24 hours a day.
Related repair services
See all services, brands we repair or learn about our team. Back to our homepage.
We repair brands like Samsung, LG and Miele, and we serve cities such as Lakewood Village and Grapevine.
