The refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in the kitchen. When the power goes out or the unit fails, we are instantly reminded of its importance to our daily lives. Not only is it the major appliance of the kitchen, it also keeps our food safe, which saves us hundreds of dollars in spoiled food. Since it’s such a convenient appliance, it’s crucial to repair problems as soon as possible. Here are 10 signs your refrigerator needs to be repaired.
Common Refrigerator Repairs
1. The refrigerator is making humming and vibrating noises.
While humming and vibrating sounds from time to time can be a normal part of your refrigerator’s operation, these sounds should be quiet enough that you hardly notice them. If you hear unusually loud or obscure noises, your refrigerator and the food inside could be in danger. In most cases, loud vibrating noises can be eliminated by simply tightening loose parts or adjusting the feet. Is your refrigerator making a loud knocking sound? Although your compressor is likely the culprit, the condenser fan might also be the issue due to becoming clogged with lint and reducing air flow.
2. Your food is spoiling prematurely.
If your food keeps going bad before its expiration date, this could be caused by the temperature of the inside of your refrigerator. The temperature should be about 37 degrees in the fridge and 0 degrees in the freezer. If turning down the thermostat doesn’t change the temperature, a licensed repair technician should inspect the freezer fan, condenser fan, or dirty condenser coils to determine the root of the cause.
3. The door gasket isn’t sealing.
The door of your refrigerator has a rubber gasket to keep the cold in and the heat out. When this gasket gets old and brittle, the cold air escapes, compromising the quality of your perishable food items and increasing your utility bills. For these reasons, periodically replacing your refrigerator’s gasket is necessary. Wondering what the warning signs are of an inefficient door gasket? Noticeable cracks or brittle sealing strips are clear signs of a damaged and inefficient gasket. Plus, keep your eye out for small tears and loose adhesive bond.
4. Your dirty condenser coils are restricting air flow.
Dirty condenser coils can lead to restricted air flow. If you see a lot of dust, food items, and other debris on the condenser coils, it’s time to clean them by pulling the fridge out of its normal position to reach the underneath. Don’t forget to unplug the fridge when you clean to prevent any unintentional damage.
5. Your utility bill is higher than usual.
If your power bill is looking a bit higher than usual, an inefficient refrigerator may be the root of the problem. If you’ve tried to improve your refrigerator’s performance with no such luck, it may need to be replaced.
6. There’s water on the floor.
Standing water under your refrigerator isn’t only a cause of concern for your kitchen floor, but it’s also a sign of distress for the appliance. Leaks are typically caused by condensation that’s trapped with clogged hoses and pipes. A technician will clear any blockages and solve your refrigerator’s leaking issue.
7. Your freezer is accumulating ice.
If ice is accumulating on the walls, your freezer is most likely faulty. If your defrost mechanism won’t fix this issue, call in a repair technician to evaluate the appliance and its part. Although you may be tempted to melt the ice yourself, this can lead to further untended damage. After a technician fixes the issue, the ice should safely melt.
8. The compressor is running hot.
If you place your hand to the rear of your refrigerator, does it feel excessively warm? This is an obvious sign that the compressor may have a problem, which requires immediate action. A compressor that runs too hot is likely working too hard due to an issue with the cooling system.
9. Ice is no longer being made.
A defective ice maker may be caused by improper temperatures, a frozen inlet tube, or a blocked raking mechanism. Fortunately, these are easy fixes.
10. Your refrigerator has no power.
First and foremost, make sure the fridge is plugged into a live receptacle. If you’re still not receiving power, call in the big guns by contacting a Utah repair company.
Repair or Replace Your Refrigerator?
A good refrigerator can last for anywhere from 10 to 20 years. If your refrigerator begins to break down or become more of a burden than a benefit, it may be time to consider replacing the unit. Or if the cost of repair exceeds 50% of the cost of buying new, replacing it is the most economical and smart decision.
Is Your Refrigerator Under Warranty?
Before rolling up your sleeves and opening up your toolbox, be sure to check the warranty. You may still have a chance to get your appliance fixed or replaced at no cost. If you’re unsure how to find out if your appliance is covered by warranty, find the manual that came with the appliance and look through the warranty terms and conditions. In most cases, manufacturers offer a 1-year warranty. If you can’t find the paperwork, contact the manufacturer directly. As part of our service and dedication to our customers, iFiX offers a 1-year warranty on parts installed and labor repairs.
Tip: Always save your appliance documentation. You never know when you might need it.
Call the Pros at iFiX for Your Refrigerator Repair
If your refrigerator isn’t running properly, it’s time to call our Ogden appliance repair team immediately. Our experience in diagnosing and repairing all makes and models of refrigerators makes us the best choice for refrigerator repair in Northern Utah. Our professionals have the experience, training, and resources needed to properly repair your home’s appliance. If you are in Weber or Davis Counties, iFiX is your solution for appliance repair needs. Contact us today at 801-731-4349 to schedule an appointment. Signs Your Refrigerator Needs To Be Repaired
11 Responses
It was very helpful when you said that dust or other debris cause a problem with air flow. I recommend having it checked regularly. I inspected the compressor a few days ago, and surprise, not as clean as it should be. I think I’m going to call a professional just to make sure it is working well.
My husband and I moved into a rental recently and wanted some maintenance tips! I didn’t know if you have ice on the walls of your freezer, there’s something wrong with it. My freezer has been like that since we moved in so I’ll hire a refrigeration repair company that could help me out at a reasonable price, thanks to this post!
It’s interesting to know that if your power bill is looking higher than usual, there may be problems with your refrigerator. My husband noticed an increase in our electric bill and we are thinking about what it may be causing it. I will call a professional for a checkup to see if there is any problem with my refrigerator.
It never occurred to me that loud vibrating noises from our refrigerator is actually a sign that it is time to have it inspected and repaired by experienced professionals. The other day my wife mentioned that she noticed our cool room let out a loud vibrating noise. I am not certain if the same concept applies, but to prevent any further damage, I will call for a technician to have it inspected.
It’s valuable that you point out that an appliance repair service can help you if your refrigerator isn’t working. My refrigerator broke yesterday, so I’m thinking about hiring an appliance repair service to fix it. I’m going to search for a reputable appliance repair service in my area to employ.
Thanks for sharing these tips. I was also looking for the electrician.
I also consulted with Same Day Chicago Refrigeration and they maintain the appliances same day.
Keep sharing the tips.
It’s a great thing that this article shared how dirty condense oil can restrict the airflow of the refrigerator. I also never knew that if the food inside the fridge easily spoils, it means that that there’s something wrong with its temperature. Well, just in case this happens to me, I would make sure to hire an appliance service that will be able to fix the matter because DIY is quite dangerous.
Thanks for the advice to have the freezer and condenser fans checked out by a licensed repairman. That is the kind of work that I am most confused about. I’d like to think I could figure it out after watching a video but I know I’d mess it up.
Thanks for pointing out how to spot if the door gasket needs repairs. My fridge has recently been having issues with condensation. I’ve noticed that water seems to be building up at the bottom, so I’m going to have a professional come take a look at it.
Thanks for the suggestion that water on the floor is a sign that the refrigerator needs a repair. I noticed my floor was wet today and I would like to get the problem fixed quickly. I should call a repair specialist who can help me to get my refrigerator working properly.
I didn’t know that the temperature inside my fridge could be causing my food to spoil sooner than the expiration date. This has happened twice now. So I’ll have someone come work on my fridge.