The biggest appliance risks in a nor'easter are the power surge when service is restored, the food lost during a long outage, and water in the basement. A little preparation the day before handles most of it.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Can you DIY it? | Yes, nearly all of it |
| How urgent? | Do it before the storm arrives |
What should I do before the storm?
- •Turn the fridge and freezer to their coldest settings the day before.
- •Freeze water jugs or bottles to fill empty freezer space. A full freezer stays frozen much longer.
- •Plug sensitive electronics, and ideally the fridge, into appliance-rated surge protectors.
- •Move items off the basement floor near the washer, dryer and water heater.
- •Test your sump pump if you have one.
- •Make sure your CO alarms work, especially if you'll be using a generator.
What should I do during the outage?
- •Keep the fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- •A closed fridge keeps food safe for about four hours. A full freezer holds for about 48 hours (24 if half full).
- •Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows. CO poisoning is a real risk after every major storm.
- •Unplug the washer, dryer, dishwasher and range if you can safely reach them, so they're protected from the surge.
What should I do when the power comes back?
- •Wait a few minutes before plugging appliances back in, since voltage can fluctuate.
- •Reset any tripped breakers or GFCI outlets.
- •Check fridge and freezer temperatures with a thermometer. If the fridge was above 40°F for more than two hours, discard perishable food.
- •If an appliance acts oddly, unplug it for five minutes to reset the control board.
When should I call a technician?
Call if an appliance won't start or behaves erratically after a reset, or if a fridge clicks but won't cool. Surge damage usually hits control boards and relays, not motors or compressors. Most of it is repairable.
Elliott's take
After every big storm we get calls from North Shore and South Shore homes where everything worked until the power came back. A surge protector on the fridge is cheaper than the service call, never mind the board.
Related: All appliance repair services · Flooded Basement Appliances: What's Safe, What's Not
Appliance acting up after a storm? Call TrueFix Boston at (857) 810-1119.