Did you know that the first refrigerator that saw commercial success was made in 1927 by General Electric? This device was called the “Monitor-Top” and was sold in more than 1 million units in the United States. Nowadays, refrigerators are much more advanced and sold all over the world.
Still, many homeowners need a refrigerator repair service from time to time to fix faulty or old units. Failing to repair a refrigerator can lead to rotten food and maybe huge electrical bills.
Keep reading to learn more about the most common refrigerator problems and when it’s the best time to call the fridge repair guys.
- The Door of the Refrigerator Doesn’t Close Properly
If the fridge door doesn’t close as it should, the foods inside will not be kept at the right temperatures. On top of that, the fridge will try to work harder to cool down your foods and this will increase your energy bill.
In most cases, the door doesn’t close correctly because the gaskets are worn. The gaskets are the rubber pieces that line the door and ensure complete sealing. Visually inspect the gaskets and see if they are bent, torn, punctured, or damaged in any way. If they are, simply replacing them with brand new ones might solve the problem.
- The Fridge Is Too Noisy
A noisy refrigerator can be a real problem, especially during the night when you try to enjoy a peaceful sleep. It’s normal for a fridge to make some noise, but loud, rattling noises usually signify a larger problem.
For example, a rhythmic noise might be caused by the fan repeatedly hitting into something. In some cases, the fridge might be noisy because you have put a heavy weight on top of it that amplifies the vibrations it makes.
In other cases, the noise might be caused by the motor or compressor that works too hard. This can also make the refrigerator consume too much energy. Call a professional if your fridge is excessively loud and try to fix this problem before it gets worse and more costly to repair.
- The Water or Ice Dispenser Doesn’t Work
Many modern fridges are equipped with water or ice dispensers. These are cool features that will come in handy during hot summer days. However, when the fridge doesn’t dispense refreshing water or ice cubes, this might signify a problem with the inlet valve.
For example, the valve might be clogged by debris or other impurities. You might need to check and maintain the water dispenser from time to time. If you don’t do that, the valve and its fittings might become clogged.
If you have some DIY experience, you can check the valve and unclog it by yourself as this is usually a small problem to fix. Otherwise, it’s time to call the experts to fix it for you.
- Your Refrigerator Leaks Water
A leaky refrigerator can be a serious problem, especially if you don’t notice this at first. Fridges might leak because one or more pipes are frozen, clogged, or broken. It’s also possible that other components are frozen and water simply leaks on the floor, creating a large puddle.
If you suspect your fridge is leaking, unplug it from the power outlet. Wipe out all the water on the floor and touch the base of the fridge. Search for wet spots and see where the problem is located. In some cases, a single pipe might need to be changed by a professional and that would solve your problem.
- You See a Lot of Ice Buildup in the Freezer
The freezer is supposed to keep your vegetables and meat frozen, but it shouldn’t contain ice. An accumulation of ice might signify that there is a problem with the humidity levels inside the freezer. This might be because you keep the freezer door open for too long when you take food out or put it inside.
Leaving the freezer door open for too long allows a lot of air to get inside and this will change the humidity levels. Ice will start to build up in the freezer wall as a result.
In other cases, the freezer door doesn’t create a tight seal and this allows for constant air exchange. The freezer works hard to keep your food cool while the outside air gets inside the freezer and changes the humidity levels.
Check the door gasket and see if it’s torn or damaged. If the freezer door creates a tight seal, inspect the insides of the freezer and look for leaks.
- The Fridge Is Warm at Touch
The fridge motor creates some heat when it’s working, but all this heat is expelled outwards. Your fridge is not supposed to be warm at the touch. If this happens, it might signify a problem with the condenser coils.
The condenser coils are located at the back of the fridge. Make sure that you inspect and clean them if necessary. Unplug the fridge from the power outlet first. In some cases, the condenser coils might need to be replaced by a professional to prevent more serious problems.
- You Pay Too Much for Your Energy Bill
As you probably know already, a fridge is an appliance that consumes a lot of power in a household. However, if you see a major spike in your energy bill and you haven’t used the AC unit recently, it might be caused by a faulty fridge.
You need to inspect your fridge as soon as possible and see if the motor or compressor is working too hard. If you also see other signs of fridge damage such as excessive noise, leaks, or foods that are not cool enough, it’s time to call a technician and take advantage of a high-quality appliance repair service.
Now You Know When to Request a Refrigerator Repair Service
Ideally, you don’t want to wait until the last moment before you call a fridge professional. A refrigerator repair service is affordable and it helps you save your precious appliance, not to mention extending its lifespan.
To learn more about refrigerator repair, how to maintain your fridge, and diagnose minor problems, make sure that you check out the other articles on our website.
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