Common Freezer Problems & Solutions
Freezers allow us the flexibility to store food for long periods of time, prep meals ahead of time, and save a special frozen treat for a hot summer day. When your freezer experiences issues like frost buildup, leakage, or poor cooling, it can mean you have a real mess on your hands. Luckily, there are simple steps you can take when these things happen. Read on for more information.
At Diamond Factory Appliance, we are proud to help people just like you with affordable, effective, and efficient refrigerator repair, freezer repair, dishwasher repair, and more. We offer appliance repair in St. Louis, Kansas City, and communities across the region. Contact us today to learn more.
Here are some of the more common freezer issues we see and what to do next:
Frost or Ice Accumulation
As liquid refrigerant passes through the evaporator coils inside a freezer, the refrigerant evaporates into a gas as it cools the interior of the appliance by absorbing heat. The temperature difference that results from this process along with the humidity inside the fridge can lead to ice and frost accumulation on the coils and along with interior walls of the unit.
Most modern freezers include an auto-defrost mechanism to prevent this frost from building up. If this component fails, it can lead to a large amount of frost and ice buildup that can prevent the normal vapor-compression cycle of the refrigerant and other mechanical parts.
Causes of ice buildup can typically be traced to either a defective defrost timer, a defective thermostat, or a faulty defrost heater. An experienced local appliance repair specialist will be able to quickly inspect and diagnose the faulty component in question.
If you notice buildup that looks more like snow and is located near the front of the freezer (as opposed to the evaporator coils which are always at the rear), the issue may be a gap or air leak in the freezer door. This can prevent the interior from maintaining a constant temperature and humidity level. Check to see if anything is preventing the door from closing. Also, inspect the rubber or silicone gasket that surrounds the door for any signs of cracking or peeling.
Leaking Water
If you notice puddles of water around the base of your refrigerator, there could be a few different culprits. For one, the defrost drain that directs melted frost from the evaporator coils to the condensate pan under the fridge may be choked with ice. When the ice melt has nowhere to go, it will trickle through tiny openings behind the freezer walls. To deal with this issue, you will need to clear ice away from the defrost drain, which may entail unplugging the appliance and allow the entire unit to fully defrost.
Leaking water may also be caused by an overflow of the condensate pan that sits at the bottom of the appliance. Most fridges rely on the water collected in that pan to steadily evaporate away. If water is flowing too quickly into the pan, the collected water cannot evaporate in time and an overflow will occur. In addition, if the condensate pan is off-center, water will pool in one section of the pan until it overflows. This problem might require the expertise of a freezer repair expert, but homeowners can first try reducing the frequency of defrost cycles to see if that helps.
Inadequate Cooling
A common reason for insufficient cooling inside a freezer is that the thermostat is set too high. By simply readjusting the thermostat to the recommended setting, usually around 0 degrees Fahrenheit, the issue could be solved. If not, the issue may instead lie with the temperature sensor situated within the thermostat. This component is often best diagnosed by a professional, and the cost of the replacement part is typically on the cheaper end.
Sometimes, the problem of inadequate cooling is not strictly mechanical. If the freezer is too full or too empty, it can lead to inadequate cooling and excessive ice accumulation. Food items should also be placed as near to the center as possible so as to avoid blocking any vent systems inside the appliance.
Finally, a cracked or detached freezer door seal may be letting out cold air, limiting performance. Run your finger around the edge of the seal, looking for signs of cracking or breaking. These replacement parts are typically cheap to buy, but best to leave the installation to a professional.
Looking for freezer repair or refrigerator repair in Kansas City or St. Louis? Call Diamond today. We are proud to service most major brands, including Whirlpool, GE, LG, Maytag, Amana, Frigidaire, and many more.
