After a thunderstorm: dead display or real damage?
The National Weather Service office in Melbourne describes Central Florida as one of the most lightning-prone regions in the country. Lightning nearby doesn't have to hit a house to damage appliances: a surge on the power line can reach any plugged-in appliance with electronics, and modern washers, dishwashers, ranges and refrigerators all run on control boards.
Not every blank screen after a storm is a fried board. Work through this in order before you request service:
- Check the breaker panel and any GFCI outlets in the kitchen, laundry or garage — a tripped GFCI is the most common 'dead appliance' after a storm.
- Unplug the appliance (or switch its breaker off) for five minutes, then restore power. Many controls need a full power cycle to reboot.
- If the display returns but buttons don't respond, or an error code appears that wasn't there before, note the code — it helps a technician bring the right part.
- If you smell hot electronics or see scorching around the control panel, leave it off and request a repair.
Surge damage and the repair-or-replace question
A replacement control board is often one of the more expensive parts on a mid-range appliance, so surge damage is where repair-or-replace becomes a real comparison. Get the board's price included in the quote, ask whether the technician tested the rest of the electronics (a surge can damage more than one part), and check whether homeowner's insurance or the appliance's protection plan covers lightning damage before you pay out of pocket.
Whole-house surge protection at the electrical panel is installed by a licensed electrician; plug-in surge strips are designed for electronics, not for refrigerators or ranges, so follow the appliance manual's power requirements.
OUC water and scale
| Where scale shows up | What you notice | Try first |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | White film, cloudy glasses | Rinse aid, hardness setting, monthly filter rinse |
| Refrigerator ice maker | Small or hollow cubes | Replace the water filter on schedule |
| Washer | One side fills slowly | Clean the inlet hose screens |
When storm flooding reaches appliances
Act now
Hurricane Ian in September 2022 showed that flooding isn't only a coastal problem: heavy rain flooded neighborhoods across Orlando, far from storm surge. A washer, dryer, water heater or chest freezer that stood in floodwater must not be switched back on until it's been inspected — water inside controls and motors can short or corrode later even if the appliance seems to work.
Rental and second homes
If you own a vacation or rental property in the area, appliances there often see heavy, irregular use and long idle periods. Before a guest arrives, run the dishwasher and washer briefly to confirm they fill and drain, check the refrigerator holds 40 °F, and keep the model and serial numbers on file so a provider can quote remotely.
Provider coverage in Orlando
Participating providers for Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties are still being verified. Call us — we'll say plainly if nobody serves it yet.
Orlando at a glance
- Main appliance stress
- Lightning surges; hard-water scale; storm flooding
- Tap water
- OUC reports an average of about 129 mg/L hardness (≈7 grains per gallon)
- Storm exposure
- Inland flooding — Hurricane Ian (2022) flooded parts of Orlando
- Most surge-sensitive
- Appliances with electronic control boards and touch panels
Provider coverage in Orlando
Participating providers: not yet. This page is local guidance — not a promise that a technician is available at every address.Common questions
Can a lightning strike nearby damage my refrigerator?
Yes. A surge on the power line can damage the control board or electronic thermostat even without a direct strike. Check the breaker and power-cycle it first; if the controls still don't respond, have it diagnosed.
Is Orlando's water hard enough to need a dishwasher hardness setting?
OUC reports average hardness around 7 grains per gallon. Many dishwashers have a hardness setting in the manual — setting it and using rinse aid reduces film and scale.
My washer works but shows an error code after a storm. Is it safe to use?
Write down the code and look it up in the manual. If it relates to the control or motor and returns after a power cycle, stop using it and request a diagnosis.
More in Florida: Florida appliance repair help