Fridge Repair Tips:
Wrench It or Toss It: Fridge Edition
Disclaimer: When attempting to diagnose a fridge problem, always make sure that the fridge is unplugged, and the water main, if necessary is shut off. Do not attempt any diagnostics or fridge repairs unless you are a trained technician.
Fridge Problems
Refrigerators are big, clunky, and pulling one out for a repair or replacement can be a huge task. But that doesn’t mean you should shell out for a new fridge at the first sign of trouble! Before you go shopping for that shiny new fridge you don’t need, you should always check a few basic things. Sit back, and let us take you through a few common fridge problems.
1) Fridge Not Getting Cold – Broken Compressor
A warm fridge is always an unwelcome surprise. If you find your fridge isn’t keeping your food cold enough, you may be dealing with a bad compressor. The compressor is the mechanism in your fridge that compresses and pumps the refrigerant into the coils of your fridge. It is responsible for circulating the gas that keeps your fridge cold.
Symptoms
- Fridge not making any noise
- Fridge not getting cold
- Fridge humming but warm
Solution
This problem can be hard to spot, as you’re mostly checking for the lack of a noise. But if you suspect that you may need a new compressor, here is what we suggest. Carefully pull the fridge slightly away from the wall, and take a few minutes to listen. If you don’t hear the compressor turn on, or if it is sounding unnaturally loud, it’s probably time for a new compressor, or relay. Luckily, if it’s the relay that’s giving you trouble, the replacement cost can be much lower! Time to call us in and let us take a look!
2) Fridge Leaking Water – Blocked Defrost Drain
Water pooling at the foot of your refrigerator is, unfortunately, a common problem. On the bright side, it is not a problem that warrants a new appliance. Instead, a leaking fridge usually means a clogged defrost drain.
Symptoms
- Puddle under fridge
- Fridge leaking
- Leaking Freezer
Solution
Inside your freezer, you will most likely find what’s called a defrost drain. This drain is used to allow condensation that builds up in the freezer to flow out. As you can imagine, it is a common freezer problem for this drain to freeze or clog. This can be fixed by flushing the system with warm water, guiding a plumbing snake through the clog, and removing and cleaning the ‘check valve’. Luckily, this repair rarely requires new parts, so our trusted technicians can almost always get the job done in no time.
3) Ice Build Up – Worn Seal
If the inside of your freezer looks like Alaska in December, you’ve got a problem. There are a few causes for a buildup of frost on the inside of your freezer, but by far the most common cause of this freezer problem is a worn door seal.
Symptoms
- Ice build-up in freezer
- Freezer doesn’t freeze on lower settings
Solution
The easiest solution to this freezer issue is the replacement of the seal or gasket that keeps your freezer nice and snug. A simple cleaning of the gasket could do the trick, but changing out the gasket for a new one will likely be a much better long-term solution.
If you have any of the above symptoms, you may need a fridge repair or a freezer repair, NOT a replacement. Call City Master – Appliance Repair Services today for an expert technician, and get your fridge repaired the right way.
