A faulty fridge can be a costly problem, as it often leads to your fresh food spoiling. Replacing a fridge can be a considerable expense, but many fridge faults can be fixed, so don't be tempted to replace your faulty fridge without first exploring how serious the fault is and how easy it is to fix. Understanding the possible causes of a faulty fridge can help you understand what to expect if you need to call out an engineer, so here's an overview of 3 common fridge faults.
The Fridge Temperature Is Too High
If your fridge isn't cooling to the required temperature, you'll want to ensure the thermostat dial hasn't been adjusted and the door hinges and seals are in good working order. You'll also want to consider whether you're overfilling your fridge, as cool air needs to be able to circulate within the fridge. If you can't spot any obvious causes, you could be dealing with a broken thermostat. The thermostat is usually located directly behind the thermostat dial or digital controls in your fridge, which can make it a little awkward to replace, but it's not an expensive job.
Water Is Collecting on the Base of the Fridge
This fault is usually pretty easy to fix and tends to be caused by a blocked drain hole. When water condenses at the back of the fridge, it should pass through the drain hole and down a thin tube to the compressor, where it then evaporates. However, the drain hole can become clogged with food debris and general dirt, so you can try unclogging it with a straw or soft cotton bud. If this doesn't work, the tube from the drain hole to the compressor will need to be irrigated, which involves flushing water through the tube using gentle pressure. Too much pressure could cause damage to the compressor, so it's best to have an engineer carry out the irrigation.
The Fridge Has Become Noisy
It's normal to hear whirring and humming from your fridge throughout the day as the compressor and evaporator fan work away to keep your fridge cool and dry inside. However, if you notice your fridge is making more noise than it usually does, it could be a sign that the compressor is faulty and struggling to push the refrigerant gas through the coils. Replacing the compressor is, unfortunately, a relatively costly job. However, if you ignore the noisiness of your fridge, you risk more damage being done and the food in your fridge will not be kept at a safe temperature for consumption.
If you're experiencing any problems with your fridge, contact local refrigerator repair services.
Share23 August 2021
Hi, my name is Pip. I work in the kitchen of a large hotel as a chef. Unfortunately, for a few months, the commercial refrigeration units in the kitchen kept breaking down. The manager of the hotel was very slow to act, so I had to figure out how to fix them myself. I searched the internet and read DIY books. In the end, I realised it was a faulty coil which was causing the problem. I replaced it, and the refrigeration unit has worked flawlessly ever since. Doing this inspired me to use my new found knowledge to fix other appliances, and I decided to start a blog to document my repairs