How do I know if my fridge is broken and needs repair?

How do I know if my fridge is broken?

A fridge usually switches on and off because it maintains a set temperature inside the fridge and freezer compartments. It’s easy to assume that the commercial fridge has turned off when it’s broken, if you’re not paying attention to the temperature inside it. Install a thermometer inside the freezer and refrigerator compartments to alert you to temperature changes. But what troubleshooting to do and how do you know when it’s time to call in a professional? Well, there are a few telltale signs that your fridge is broken. Keep reading to find out!

 

Thermostat or compressor problem

 

Your fridge’s compressor uses a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant that helps keep your food cold. If you set the thermostat for more cold air, your fridge’s compressor kicks in, causing the refrigerant to move through the cooling fans.

 

Is the fridge not producing enough cold?

 

You don’t feel a thrill when you open your fridge? Is your stick of butter soft to the touch? Are the products in your freezer starting to thaw?

If so, your fridge may be struggling to maintain the correct temperature. Not only can this be costly, as your food could start to spoil. It can also mean you’ll incur a higher energy bill if your refrigerator is working overtime to try and maintain its temperature.

If you suddenly notice that the produce isn’t as cold as you’d hoped or the drinks smell bad, that’s a major indication that your refrigerator’s thermostat has failed.

 

How do you know that the fridge thermostat is damaged?

 

The thermostat may be faulty. The thermostat regulates the temperature inside the unit to keep produce cool. To check the current status of your fridge’s thermostat, you can go up a degree and wait for the unit to turn on automatically. If the thermostat does not start, there may be technical faults inside your refrigerator.

 

How do I know if the compressor is not working?

 

Most people know what a working fridge sounds like: there’s a slight hum that comes and goes intermittently. The compressor is responsible for this hum. So, if the sound stops for good, or if the sound goes from a low level to a constant or very loud hum that doesn’t go away, it could be a sign that the compressor is broken or malfunctioning.

If you think you need a new compressor, it might be time to contact a refrigeration appliance repair professional for help.

 

Is the fridge getting abnormally cold?

If you notice that the food is freezing in the other compartments, this indicates a malfunction in the thermostat. In this case, it is better to opt for repairs to replace the thermostat instead of repairing it yourself. Before calling a professional, you can retest the thermostat with an appliance thermometer to check its current condition. As an alternative, you can raise the thermostat up to 2 degrees and wait another day to see if the food freezes like before. If you find no positive results, you need to replace the thermostat.

 

Food spoilage and ice accumulation in the fridge

Not all temperature changes are so dramatic that you can feel it as soon as you open the refrigerator.

Food spoils quickly

That doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem. Even slight drops in temperature can spoil food faster than usual. Check the expiration date before discarding spoiled food. If you notice that you are throwing away several foods that have not yet passed their expiration dates, consider having your refrigerator repaired.

Ice builds up in the fridge

Does your fridge look like the surface of Antarctica? If ice is building up inside your fridge, it may be because your fridge is having trouble controlling the temperature. The good news is that this is not an emergency that needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible. Take a few days to eat the foods in your fridge, then defrost them.

You can do this by turning off the appliance and keeping your fridge door open. Make sure to keep your fridge door closed to prevent your food from spoiling. You can then melt the ice by blowing on it with a hair dryer or by placing a saucepan filled with boiling water inside.

Once the ice has melted, turn your fridge back on and look for signs of ice buildup over the next few days. If the ice has started to form again, it’s time to call in a professional repairman.

 

Capacitor or motor problem

It is normal for the motor of your fridge to be a little warm. However, it should not be very hot.

 

How to detect engine failure?

If you put your hand towards the back of the unit and you feel excessive heat, do not hesitate to call a fridge repair company. Even if your refrigerator seems to be maintaining its temperature, a hot motor is a sign that it’s working overtime. That means it could be about to break and you’re probably incurring higher energy bills in the meantime.

 

Troubleshooting a Run Capacitor

Knowing what makes a run capacitor bad is helpful, but how will you know if that’s the problem? Fortunately, a failing run capacitor often exhibits a telltale clicking noise that you can use to pinpoint the problem. The play can click start or stop. This is one of the main symptoms of a bad motor run capacitor.

This part is located in a white or black box near the compressor at the back of the refrigerator. With the help of another person, you can safely pull the refrigerator away from the wall and try to listen for that clicking sound. If you hear it and it seems to be coming from the box, you can be pretty sure the problem is the run capacitor.

 

Refrigerator seems too noisy

When the temperature rises above the set level, your device’s motor and compressor should then kick in and sound slightly louder.

However, if you notice the unit constantly turning on and off, or the continuous humming noise becomes loud enough to be noticed, your fridge may be broken. Other sounds to watch out for include clicks, buzzes, and hisses. There are myriad reasons why your fridge might be making noise, so you’ll want to have it checked out by a professional.

 

There is water on your floor

Have you decided to finally take out the fridge and clean underneath? If you notice water on the floor, be sure to call a fridge repair company. Another sign that a fridge is leaking is ice buildup on your walls or the back of the unit.

Ice on your walls and water on your floor can lead to water damage, so you’ll want to address this issue immediately. Many leaks aren’t serious enough for water to seep onto the floor in front of your refrigerator, causing them to go unnoticed. To avoid this, consider taking your fridge out once or twice a year to clean underneath and check for leaks.

 

Don’t ignore a noisy fridge or a fridge covered in ice. Instead, follow the guide above to learn the signs your fridge is breaking down and when to call a professional.

And here are the most often fridge damages:

1.      thermocontroller failure;

When air-compressor ceased to function but indicator light is on thermocontroller replacement is needed. Such damage can be repaired at home.

2.      air-compressor failure;

This problem can be caused by several actions of a user. When the door is left ajar motor functions at the end of tether and this regime causes overheating. The second reason of air-compressor failure is Superfrost regime being activated for a long time (3 days or more). Replacement of this element demands transferring a refrigerator to a service center.

3.      electronics failure;

The problem is quite numerous in modern models. Failure can be caused by moisture ingress to the back panel of a fridge.

Our Staten Island Fridge repair  Service guarantees high level of technical support. Only qualified specialists work in the company and they will identify the problem accurately and solve it quickly.