The Three Sources of (Almost) All Refrigerator Problems

Refrigerators never stop working. They are the only household appliance that runs 24 hours a day, which leaves them susceptible to breakdowns and malfunctions. Fortunately, many of these problems are easy to troubleshoot and can be fixed without the need of professional repair services. Learn the three sources of many common refrigerator problems and the necessary steps to correct them.

Clogged drain pipe.

Signs: The most apparent sign that your refrigerator's drain tube is clogged is the puddling of water – either inside your refrigerator or on the floor underneath it.

Solution: The drain tube runs from the freezer and drains water in a pan located underneath the refrigerator. To unclog this tube, unplug the refrigerator from the wall and locate the drain hole, which is typically located at the bottom of the unit behind the vegetable crisper. Stick a pipe cleaner or a straw in this hole and push it up and down to loosen the clog.

Faulty gasket.

Signs: If your refrigerator is not cooling foods properly or is using more electricity than normal, a faulty gasket may be the cause. To test if your gasket is performing correctly, close the refrigerator door on a dollar bill. If you can easily slide the bill up and down or remove it from the door, the seal is weak and needs to be replaced.

Solution: First, you will need to purchase a replacement gasket. They are specially designed for each refrigerator model, so make sure to get the one that is right for your refrigerator by purchasing it directly from the manufacturer or a trusted third party vendor. The old gasket can be easily removed and replaced with the new ones by following these steps.

Dirty condenser coils.

Signs: Dirty condenser coils can cause your refrigerator to overheat to the point that it feels hot to the touch. Dirty coils can also cause the refrigerator to constantly cycle on and off and your energy bill to spike.

Solution: Cleaning your refrigerator's coils requires only a vacuum and 10 minutes of your time. To clean your refrigerator's coils, unplug it and slide it away from the wall. On most models, the coils are located right on the back of the unit. After locating the coils, use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to scrub the dust off of the coils until they are visibly clear, then plug your refrigerator back in to the wall and slide it in to place.

If your refrigerator is not operating properly and it is not because of one of these three causes, there may be something seriously wrong with it. If you live in New York City or Long Island, you can rely on the professionals at Speedy Subzero to diagnose and fix your refrigerator promptly and correctly. We offer 24-hour emergency service and same-day repairs so call us today at 866-782-9376.