Simple Checks Before You Book a Repair

Lothian Domestics repairs electric domestic appliances only — we do not repair gas appliances (gas supply, gas burners, ignition systems, or other Gas Safe work). Never try to fix gas yourself. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 (Great Britain) and follow their instructions.

Not every electric appliance fault needs an engineer straight away. A few quick, safe checks can sometimes get you running again — or at least rule out the obvious before you book. Never force panels open or poke inside live electrics. If in doubt, stop and call a qualified professional.

Power and the wall supply

• Check the appliance is plugged in and the socket switch is on.
• If nothing works in that corner of the kitchen, see whether an RCD or circuit breaker has tripped on the consumer unit. Reset only once; if it trips again, leave it and book help.
• Try another small appliance in the same socket to see whether the problem is the socket rather than the machine.

Doors, lids, and interlocks

Washing machines, tumble dryers, and dishwashers often refuse to start if the door is not fully closed or a latch is stiff. Wipe debris from the catch, close firmly, and listen for the lock clicking. Fridge and freezer alarms usually mean the door has not sealed — check for a protruding drawer, a food parcel blocking the seal, or ice stopping the door from sitting flat.

Washing machine and dishwasher: water

• Confirm the water supply tap under the sink (or behind the machine) is fully open.
• A kinked inlet hose or an aquastop hose that has tripped can stop fills; straighten the hose gently and see whether your manual describes how to reset the hose valve.
• If the machine reports a drain issue, check the filter access (where your manual shows it) for obvious blockages — only what you can reach without tools and without dismantling the machine.

Filters and obvious blockages

Dishwasher and washing machine pump filters catch coins, labels, and lint. Cleaning them per the manufacturer instructions can fix slow drains or error codes. Tumble dryers need the lint filter emptied every cycle; a clogged filter affects drying and is a safety issue.

Fridge and freezer

If it seems warm, check the temperature dial has not been knocked, that vents inside are not blocked by shopping, and that the unit has a little air space around it so it can vent heat. Persistent frost build-up or noise still needs a proper look.

When to book a repair

Gas: we cannot help. Use the National Gas Emergency Service (0800 111 999) for gas smells or suspected leaks, and a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas appliance repairs.

Electric appliances (washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers, electric cookers, fridges, etc.): book an engineer if you smell burning from the machine or plug, see sparks, get repeated tripping tied to that appliance, have water leaks you cannot trace safely, or if the simple steps above change nothing. At Lothian Domestics we are happy to attend for electric repairs once you have ruled out the quick wins — it saves nobody’s time to skip them when they would have fixed the problem in two minutes.