Safety is our first screen, not an afterthought
FixPilot's diagnosis flow checks for danger before it suggests anything. The rules below apply to everything we build — and to you, right now, before you open a single panel.
Signals that mean 'stop, now'
If your appliance shows any of these, don't troubleshoot it yourself. This is where DIY ends and professionals begin.
- Gas smell
Do not flip switches, light matches, or use the appliance. Leave the area and call your gas utility and emergency services from outside.
- Smoke, fire, or burning smell
Unplug only if safe to reach. Evacuate and call emergency services. Never use water on an electrical fire.
- Sparks, arcing, or tripped breakers
Stop using the appliance, leave it unplugged, and call a licensed electrician or appliance technician.
- Flooding or significant water leak
Shut off the water supply if you can reach the valve safely, then call a professional. Beware of slippery floors and water near electricity.
- Carbon monoxide alarm
Get everyone outside immediately and call emergency services. Do not re-enter until cleared.
Safe repair habits, every time
These apply whether you're using FixPilot, a manual, or your own judgment.
✓Unplug first
Before inspecting any appliance, unplug it. For hardwired appliances, switch off the breaker and verify power is off.
✓Shut off water and gas
For washers, dishwashers, and gas appliances, close the supply valves before you touch anything downstream.
✓Never open live panels
If you can't identify a component or a wire by name, you don't touch it. High-voltage capacitors can hold a lethal charge long after unplugging.
✓No OEM part swaps by guess
Replacing parts you haven't verified is how small problems become big ones. Diagnose first, buy second, install third.
✓Read the error code
Modern appliances report their own problems. Check the manual and the machine's diagnostics before disassembling anything.
✓When in doubt, call a pro
A service call is cheaper than a fire, a flood, or an injury. Professionals exist for a reason.
How the diagnosis flow keeps you safe
Deterministic safety screening
Before any guidance, the flow screens your symptoms against a fixed set of hazard rules. Gas, electrical, fire, and flood signals short-circuit straight to professional referral.
No dangerous instructions
If a step would require opening a live panel, touching unknown wiring, or working near gas, the flow never suggests it — it says 'call a professional' instead.
Confidence is stated, not hidden
Reports label how certain a diagnosis is. Low-confidence results always include a professional-referral option.
Emergency information first
Emergency contact guidance is available before, during, and after every session — it's not buried in a footer.
Don't attempt a dangerous repair
If you're facing a gas, electrical, or flooding issue — or simply aren't sure — the repair CTA routes you to professional help.
Referral tracking included — UTM and article/source parameters are preserved in the destination link. Repair partner connection coming soon.