Refrigerators are among the most indispensable electrical appliances in our homes, serving to keep food cold while also sometimes experiencing issues that necessitate professional assistance.
Most common refrigerator problems have quick solutions. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, try these DIY fixes first before calling in an expert refrigerator repair service:
1. Excessive Noise
Refrigerator compressors typically make an inaudible hum, while any loud noises such as rattling, scraping or knocking indicate there may be an issue with their appliance.
If the sound emanating from your freezer or fridge compartment fans is loud enough to be heard through walls and door frames, it could be a telltale sign of electrical trouble, such as a stuck circuit board relay. Unplug your fridge, remove any metal cover plates or cardboard access panels on its backside and use a brush to clean out its fan motor before plugging it back in.
Defrost drains may become clogged with debris such as lint or dust that inhibits airflow. If this happens, rattling noises will give way to an audible hum – one of the more prevalent issues seen with Sub Zero refrigerators.
2. Frozen Food
if your food is freezing in your refrigerator, the problem could be as straightforward as cleaning out its condenser coil. Designed to dissipate heat efficiently, its efficiency may become impaired over time due to accumulation of dust or pet hair clogging up its passages – potentially rendering your condenser less effective and leaving your food freezing solid!
Clean your fridge thoroughly to restore it to normal and ensure the thermostat is functioning as intended – failure to do so could put frozen food at risk!
3. Water Leak
If water has started pooling near your refrigerator, it’s time to consult a professional immediately. Your fridge could be leaking toxic coolant that needs to be contained and safely disposed of immediately.
Many refrigerators feature a drain tube designed to direct excess moisture away from the fridge into a pan where it evaporates, but if this drain tube becomes clogged up it could build up inside instead of being expelled out via its usual channel.
Turn off your refrigerator, locate and open its drain plug on either the back or bottom, rinse out with warm soapy water before using a turkey baster, drain snake or coat hanger to clear away the clogs in its drain tube.
4. Temperature Changes
Temperature fluctuations indicate that your refrigerator is no longer keeping food cold enough and may need professional repair services. They could also indicate that its temperature control thermostat is malfunctioning improperly or is blocked by food and containers.
Unplugging your refrigerator may help to ensure that its power cord hasn’t become disconnected or is connected to an outlet that’s malfunctioning correctly. Furthermore, taking apart and inspecting its back panel might reveal issues related to temperature change; broken fan often contributes to this as a common culprit behind temperature shifts within refrigerators; though DIY fixes for broken fans are usually straightforward solutions.
5. Faulty Condenser Coil
Refrigerators exist to preserve our food, so when they fail in this capacity it can be an immense headache. However, most refrigerator issues don’t turn out to be as serious as expected and more often than not can be solved easily with minor fixes.
Keep in mind that any electrical appliance poses the potential threat of shock or electrocution if handled incorrectly, so always unplug your fridge prior to attempting any fixes yourself. If you feel confident that this problem exceeds your capabilities, seek professional refrigerator repair service instead; though many issues can be solved at home with just some common knowledge and observation.
6. Dirty Condenser Coil
Unnecessary condenser coil maintenance forces your fridge to work harder at cooling things off, leading to higher energy costs. Unscrew the bolts or screws holding down both covers by unscrewing their bolts (a drill may come in handy here).
Use a vacuum cleaner or hose equipped with a spray nozzle to quickly clear away dust or debris from coils, then soak them in degreaser to help break up and dissolve grease deposits. Finally, make sure spine fins on coils don’t bend as this could significantly decrease efficiency.
7. Faulty Door Seal
Faulty door seals allow room-temperature air into your refrigerator, increasing electricity bills as the refrigerator works harder to stay cool. Luckily, this is one of the few fridge issues you can fix yourself.
Apply petroleum jelly along the rubber gasket on the freezer door, helping it remain in contact with its frame and prevent leakage. Next, inspect that its lip sits behind its retainer on the metal hinge. If any part has come loose from its groove, simply push it back in and tighten any necessary screws to secure its position.
8. Frozen Water
Your refrigerator’s defrost drain may have become blocked, signalling that its drain may need clearing out. With some simple tools such as a coat hanger or pipe cleaner you can quickly clear it.
Your water lines to the ice and water dispenser in your refrigerator may become susceptible to freezing over if the freezer becomes too cold, or insulation on its line breaks down. A braided water line offers better insulation, decreasing chances of freezing over and becoming less likely to burst into freezing overflow.
Refrigerators are essential in keeping food fresh and ready to be served during holiday entertaining, and having one that works properly is absolutely vital to this process. Here are some common refrigerator issues and DIY fixes to avoid calling in professional help.
