Does Your Refrigerator Need Repair?
It’s easy to take many of our modern gadgets today for granted. Think about it – in the last few decades, we’ve been able to fly across the world in a few hours, communicate with people in a span of seconds wherever they may be, and access a wealth of information using small computers in our pockets. Airplanes, trains, laptops, and the Internet make us thankful for modern conveniences, but what about those other gadgets that make life easier for us? What about our home appliances? While hardly a day goes by you don’t think about or use your smartphone, pad, or computer, you probably never think about your stove, washing machine, or your refrigerator. Your fridge, in particular, is a modern invention that saves you a lot of time and money.
Common Fridge Problems and How to Spot Them
If you grew up with a fridge your whole life, then you might not realize it, but try living without it for a day or two. A refrigerator doesn’t just keep food and drink cool, but prevents it from rotting. That means you can keep staples like milk, bread, and eggs for days without having to replenish them each day. You can limit your trips to the supermarket to once a week or so, because you don’t have to worry about running out of food after a day or two. That’s why having a functional refrigerator is a must for all households and you must keep an eye out for any potential issues and call an appliance repair service technician when you first start noticing problems with your fridge or freezer.
How can you spot these problems? By learning the common refrigerator failures, you can reduce your risk of losing money on spoiled food and costly repairs or replacement work down the line. If you can address problems while they’re still small, you’ll be able to get your kitchen back in working order with minimum hassle, cost, and difficulty.
Refrigerator Problem #1: Temperature Issues
Fridges and freezers need to maintain a constant temperature – that means it should not be too warm or too cold. You don’t want it to be too warm or your food will spoil and make you sick, but you also don’t want it to be too cold (at least in the case of the fridge) or your food will freeze and become inedible. A normal refrigerator temperature range is between 35 and 40 degrees F. If you notice that the temperature in the fridge feels warmer or cooler than usual, then use an appliance thermometer to check. Of course, you might notice that your food is spoiling too quickly or if items are freezing inside the fridge. If you do notice these changes and you can’t make any adjustments, then it’s time to call a refrigerator repair expert. A qualified refrigerator technician can diagnose your appliance quickly and offer you options for refrigerator repair or if necessary, replacement.
Refrigerator Problem #2: Leaks
Aside from temperature problems, another fridge foible to keep an eye out for is water leaking around the fridge. The thing with leaks though, is that it can come from a number of source. First, it may be coming from the condensation tray underneath the fridge. This tray collects water that condenses inside the appliance on the condenser coils. Usually, the water should evaporate, but if there is a crack in the water line, it may cause it to leak. It could be that the condenser coils cannot work properly because of dust and dirt collecting on them. While this could be a minor problem, it could also be a precursor to a more serious cooling issue. In either case, you should get it sorted out as soon as you can. If you feel comfortable with doing some minor repair or diagnosis, you can remove the kickplate from the front bottom of the fridge and see what is causing the leak. However, unless you’re certified to repair refrigerators, you should call a professional right away to get it fixed. Professional appliance repair technicians will know what to do and diagnose the problem quickly, as well as propose a solution that will stop the leaking.
Refrigerator Problem #3: Makes Too Much Noise
It’s normal for refrigerators to make some noise – usually its just the condensers cycling. However, if it’s constantly running or doing it more often than usual, then there’s a problem. Refrigerators are already one of the most electricity-intensive appliances in your home, and you don’t want it to suck up more electricity needlessly.
If your fridge is cycling too often, there may be a few easy fixes. First, check if the condenser coils are clean. These coils can gather dust easily and should be cleaned at least every 6 months, more if you think your house is particularly dusty. Next, it could be that your fridge is just too full – so try not to overstuff it and remove leftovers and other items that don’t need refrigeration or already expired. Also, try not too open the doors to often or leave them open for too long. Finally, it could also be a temperature setting. Remember, a fridge should ideally be between 35 and 40 degrees F. So, don’t just rely on your temperature settings, but rather, use a thermometer and adjust accordingly.
Appliance Repair Pros or DIY for Your Refrigerator Problems
One of the best things you can do for your fridge is to maintain the proper temperature and don’t overload it. You should also consider doing a few maintenance tasks yourself to prevent these problems. First, you really should clean the condenser coils regularly, if you have access to them (usually via the bottom front or back). To do this, unplug the fridge, find the grill and remove them, and then using a vacuum to suck out most of the dirt and dust buildup. If there’s still some leftover dirt, then use a clean rag to mop up the remaining debris.
Refrigerators are complex appliances that have many parts and often require a professional to repair. If your fridge or freezer has a major malfunction– like it won’t open, won’t stay cold or other such similar problems, then you should feel free to call a professional.