Common Refrigerator and Freezer Problems

Every modern kitchen is not complete without a refrigerator or a freezer. It is among the most essential household appliances, and you probably have at least one in your home. Without a fridge, you wouldn’t be able to stock your food for more than a day or two. 

But like any other machine, it comes with its problems. Refrigerators and freezers suffer from wear and tear every day, and that’s when they start demanding for regular maintenance. Some severe issues may require a professional, but not all of them. 

• Water Leakage
• Fridge Unit Cycles Too Often
• Freezer Unit is Too Cold
• Your Food is Spoiling Quickly
• Ice Building Upon The Freezer Floor

Water Leakage

One of the most common problems for refrigerator and freezer owners is water leaking. It can be quite dangerous to those walking in your kitchen because it makes the floor slippery. Perhaps you’ve experienced this issue before, and you are wondering how you can solve it. 

There are common causes of this problem, and you might not need advanced technical skills to deal with it. The first probable cause is a clogged defrost drain hose. 

Food particles deposit on this area may lead to a build-up in ice, which in turn blocks the drain. As such, water is forced to out of the fridge. 

The easiest solution is using warm water to drain the hose from the inside. In the process, try removing the clog using a pipe cleaner. 

If that doesn’t work, then the only option might be to locate the defrost and remove it manually. Either way, make sure the drain is clear and ready to allow the passage of water.

Fridge Unit Cycles Too Often

Apart from the irritating noise, frequent cycling of your unit could increase your energy bills.  So, what’s the cause of this issue? The most common one is a build-up of food remains and other debris around the condenser. A lot of dust could also be the reason.

As you might have guessed already, the solution is to get rid of this dirt. But first, unplug your refrigerator/freezer from the wall socket before embarking on the task. At the very bottom of your fridge – either the front or rear side – find the grill and remove it. 

This way, you will be able to access the condenser coils. Use a vacuum cleaner and piece of cloth to remove the debris and dust. Put the grill back in place and plug in the freezer and everything should be working fine now.  

It’s worth noting that setting the temperature too low could also lead to your freezer working overtime. Your food may even spoil before the expected date. As such, it is recommended to always maintain the fridge temperature at 40 Fahrenheit or slightly below that. 

Make it available

Have you ever stored your milk in the fridge only to find it frozen the next day? Well, this could be frustrating, but it is something you can handle by yourself. The cause could be a malfunctioning thermostat, which is responsible for controlling the temperature.

If the refrigerator runs too long, then its internal environment could be very cold. Before you replace your thermostat, first check if it is defective. Rotating it from low to high usually gives a click. If you don’t hear a click, then you may have to buy a new one. 

Your Food is Spoiling Quickly

There are many reasons why this could be happening, and one of them has to do with your refrigerator/freezer. Maybe the appliance is not as frosty as it was before. Fortunately, this is an easy fix, and you don’t have to worry about hiring a technical expert. 

First, check if the back of the fridge is cold to confirm if it is operational. The next step is to check if the evaporator fan is running. That’s not the problem? Well, it could be a compressor. 

Make sure the air is flowing freely across the coils by cleaning any dust around the area. If that doesn’t solve the problem, then maybe it’s time to consult a professional before you decide whether to invest in another refrigerator.

Ice Building Upon The Freezer Floor

Sometimes you might notice a sheet of ice on your freezer floor. It is also possible to have water occasionally dripping into the fridge. This is a common problem and you can easily fix it by allowing your refrigerator to defrost.

Just remove all the food, unplug your appliance, and let it rest for a while. You could also check the base of the evaporator for any debris clogging the small hole in that area. If all this doesn’t solve the problem, then adding a drain heater might be your best bet. 

Having a refrigerator that is not working as expected can be quite frustrating. Luckily, some of the issues you experience are solvable at home. We’ve not exhausted all the issues in the list above but these are the most common problems.

Before you contact a professional, first check if you can repair the fault. For instance, you don’t really have to be an expert to defrost the drain hose. However, that does not say you should do all the repairs by yourself.