When your refrigerator isn’t working right, you know you have to act fast to protect the contents from spoiling. There’s nothing worse than having to throw out the food that you spent so much on at the grocery store. Although some things are easily repaired by the average homeowner, that’s not always the case. Here are five reasons to call a refrigerator repair specialist.
It Suddenly Stops Working
The first thing to check in this situation is whether the unit is plugged in properly. Very carefully pull the refrigerator away from the wall and check to make sure the plug is secure. If it is, you’ll want to visually inspect the cord for any damage. If you notice the wire is frayed or damaged in any way, call in a service company right away. Do not unplug the unit or touch the cord, as you could get a nasty shock.
It Starts Making Weird Noises
Your refrigerator probably makes some noises in its normal operation. You can hear it coming on and go off at regular intervals. However, if it starts to make unusual sounds like a high-pitched screeching sound, the fan may be the culprit. If you’re hearing a bangs, knocks or any kind of clunking and you’re sure it’s a sound that isn’t associated with the ice-maker, there’s a good chance the compressor is having some problems. These types of repairs are not something that you can do yourself, they are potentially dangerous and you should call in a pro to take care of it for you.
It Isn’t Keeping Things Cold
The first thing that you want to do is check the dial on the inside of the refrigerator to make sure it hasn’t been changed. Remember that the higher the number, the colder the refrigerator temperature will be. Try adjusting the dial upwards a couple of notches and wait a couple of hours to see if that makes a difference. If the evaporator coils on the back are frosted over, this may be the problem. Unplug the fridge and then using a hair dryer at a distance to melt off the ice. Plug it back in and wait to see what happens. If none of these things are the problem, you may need a new thermostat or compressor, which must be done by a trained repairman.
It Is Freezing Your Food
If you’re finding frozen milk, vegetables and other items in the refrigerator compartment, the temperature inside is simply too low. It’s really easy to bump that dial we talked about before when putting things in or taking items out of the fridge. The best thing to do is to try lowering the number on the dial a couple of notches to see if the temperature warms up a bit. You can put a thermometer inside to check to be sure. If you’ve done this and you’re not seeing any significant change, then call a repairman in to troubleshoot the problem for you.
It Is Has Sprung A Leak
If you notice water either on the inside of your refrigerator or on the floor around it, you probably have a clogged defrost drain. If you don’t take care of the problem, the leak could cause damage to your floor or cabinets, and it’s a safety issue as well. If you have a side-by-side model, you can clean it out yourself and the problem should be resolved. You won’t be able to do this with most freezer-top or bottom freezer style refrigerators. In these, the drain is hidden inside and it is impossible to get to without the proper tools and training. However, a refrigerator repairman will be able to get it unplugged for you quite easily.
No matter what model or type of refrigerator you own, if you’re having trouble with it, contact us. We will be more than happy to come out to take a look at it for you. Our expert technicians understand just how important it is to you and your family to keep this vital appliance in good working order.
