The refrigerator is an essential appliance in your home, and one that you probably take for granted. However, it’s worth knowing that it is a very hard-working appliance, and one that involves many perishable parts that can break or have a limited lifetime.
The most common refrigerator problems may be fixable by yourself in some cases, but it is recommended that you call a fridge freezer repair company as they will be able to send an engineer who can accurately assess the problem, and fix it if possible. The following are the most commonly reported problems:
- Refrigerator is leaking
- It will not operate
- The compartment is too warm
- The compartment is too cold
- The fridge is noisy
- It is running constantly
Each of the above may have a number of causes, so let’s talk in more detail about each one in turn so you can get an idea of what the problem may be.
Leaking Refrigerator
The tell-tale sign of a leaking refrigerator is that pool of water on the floor either under or around the appliance. You are likely to notice it very quickly, so it’s not one you can really miss. There are a number of problems that are associated with a leaking fridge, but first, before you call out an engineer check that nothing inside the fridge – a bottle of milk or water, perhaps – is the cause of the leak, as this could save you time and money!
If this is not the problem, you need to be looking at the back of your fridge. Water circulates through the system constantly, and there is a drain – known as the defrost drain at the back (usually near the compressor) that can become blocked. You will notice any debris or blockage quite easily once you locate the drain. The drain will include a hose; you can disconnect this and use a pipe cleaner to push any debris away. Also, there will be a tray in which excess water collects when the machine defrosts. This can easily overflow, so it also needs to be checked carefully.
A blocked drain can lead to ice build-up – this can happen very quickly – which in turn leads to water leakage. It could also be that the water supply is blocked or, in the winter, perhaps frozen, and this can have the same effect. You can check this yourself by having a look at the hoses involved, and again it should be easy to see. Usually, leaking fridges are caused by one of the above, but if you are still having trouble after checking these, get in touch with a reliable refrigerator repair company and they will send an engineer.
Fridge Will Not Operate
If your fridge simply will not work, it could be due to one of a number of factors. First, you need to check that there is power to the fridge itself. Make sure the power outlet it is using is working, and if so, then you might need to check the fuses in the plug. It could also be that your motor or other part of the operating system has simply failed, and often it is the control board, which is not a DIY project. This may happen after a number of years of continuous operation, and you may need to look at the cost implications of fixing it. If it is not a simple power failure, you need to get in touch with an engineer who can take a closer look and advice whether it’s repair or replace time.
Fridge is Too Warm
The problem is this: no matter what you do with the thermostat setting inside your fridge, it simply does not get cold enough. It’s a common problem, and one that can happen with both separate fridges and – perhaps more commonly – those that are combined with freezer units. Let’s talk about the latter examples first.
The cold air that permeates your fridge compartment, and keeps your food cool, is usually generated by your freezer unit. This is the reason these combined appliances are popular. The freezer will typically be fitted with an evaporator fan, which drives the cold air through a diffuser, into your fridge. The diffuser can become blocked easily – either by dust or debris build-up or by something being placed in front of it – which causes the fan to fail to get its job done. You can have a look at this yourself – you’ll find details in the handbook – and it is easy to resolve by simply cleaning the diffuser duct.
In both designs, the problem can also be a broken thermostat. If you’re adept at DIY and know how to find the thermostat you can check it with a multimeter. This is perhaps the most common of all the warm fridge problems. You may also need a new motor to drive the system – if you hear a low hum and nothing is happening, this can be the case – in which case it is best to call out the engineer, who will have a close look at the problem.
Note that a warm fridge can also come about as a result of the door not sealing properly, which allows external air into the fridge itself. This can be fixed by replacing the seals, and can be easily checked by looking for damage on the seals. They will become worn and need replacing in time, so check them regularly for signs of damage.
Fresh Food Compartment is Too Cold
This is usually a problem with the thermostat, which we can assume is broken in the opposite setting to one that is warming the compartment. The thermostat effectively tells the compressor – the main component in a refrigeration system – and the motor that powers the evaporator fan (as mentioned above) how hard or otherwise they need to work. It is these devices that regulate the temperature in the fridge.
So, if you have a faulty thermostat, your compressor and fan will work inefficiently, and the result may be that the fresh food compartment starts freezing everything. Once again, if you know how, you can check the thermostat with a meter, but there is a simpler way: with the fridge switched on, slowly rotate the dial from the lowest to the highest setting, listening carefully. At some point, you should hear a click. If you don’t, then you have a faulty thermostat, and need to call out an engineer to fit a new one.
Noisy Fridge
If you notice that your fridge is making a lot of noise, then you need to check a few areas of the appliance. The usual cause of a noisy fridge is a broken or worn evaporator fan. This is replaceable, but only by an engineer familiar with your make and model of fridge. An evaporator fan that is not working properly with have to work harder to do its job, and this causes the compressor to also work overtime, hence the louder noise than usual.
If you notice a loud noise that comes about suddenly, it’s perhaps best to unplug the appliance and contact the refrigerator repair company, as they will be able to have a closer look and advise you as to what needs to be done. Rest assured, it will usually be the fan, and while it is not a DIY job it will not be as expensive as you may expect.
Fridge Running Constantly
The above problem of a noisy fridge is closely coupled with this one, that of a fridge that is running constantly and going through its cycles too often. This can also be down to a faulty evaporator fan, or a broken thermostat, as either will make the system work harder to try and achieve what it is intended for. It could also be down to a blockage or debris around the condenser coils – you’ll find these behind a grille at the bottom and near the back, your user manual should direct you to them – which can be removed using a vacuum cleaner (remember to switch the freezer off first).
There is also one very common problem that causes the fridge to work constantly, and that is setting the thermostat too low. Around 4C is the best level for a fridge to work without being asked to do too much, so check your thermostat often and make sure it’s in the right area – and that it is working!
Conclusion
Most of the common faults with refrigerators are repairable, but with older appliances it is certainly worth taking expert advice on the financial viability of the repairs. It could be that buying a newer, more modern appliance will work out cheaper in the long run – they tend to be more efficient and use less power – and an expert engineer will advise you as to the best course of action.
Check your thermostat regularly, keep an eye out for blockages in the drain, and you should get the full lifespan out of your fridge.
With 2 hour and weekend slots available for your convenience, North London Appliance Repairs will notify you up to 30 minutes ahead of arrival to ensure that you don’t miss our visit, and our website even allows customers to track the status of their fridge freezer repairs online.
With a 1 year parts and labour guarantee on every job, you can be sure that you’re in good hands with North London Appliance Repairs. So don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today for more information or to request a quote.