What’s Wrong With My Refrigerator? Three Common Refrigerator Repair Issues and DIY Fixes

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Your fridge may be the hardest working appliance in your home. After all, it’s always on, constantly working to keep your food and drinks cold and fresh. But when it malfunctions, you can have a real problem on your hands: spoiled food. While certain problems are more comprehensive than others, not all refrigerator problems require the expert services of a refrigerator repairman. A few can be fixed by even an appliance novice with only observation, small adjustments, and some behavior changes.

Freezer Is Frosting Too Much

Is your freezer turning into a winter wonderland, filled with frost and ice? You might have a leak in the door seal. When cold air is seeping out of the freezer, the unit will work harder to compensate-causing that frost buildup that’s freezer-burning your food and eating up energy. Do a thorough visual examination of the door gasket, looking for tears, holes, and gaps. If none are present, check that nothing in the freezer is keeping the door from closing all the way. Also check your own habits. Do you make sure the freezer door is fully closed each time you get something out? If you’re sure the door is sealed and closed and the frost problem continues, call in a refrigerator repair expert to assess the situation.

Refrigerator Cycles Too Often

If your fridge is working harder than usual and your energy bills are on the rise, check the condenser coils behind the vent panel for dust and, if you have pets, animal fur. Debris on the coils can make them work harder to get rid of the heat buildup as your fridge runs. You can use the hose extension on your vacuum to gently remove dust and hair. You can also install a piece of old pantyhose or similar material inside the vent panel; the hot air will be able to get out, but debris won’t get in. Of course, if the coils are clean and the fridge feels overheated, it’s time to bring in an appliance repair pro.

Freezer Door Opens When You Close the Fridge

This frustrating problem is more common than you might think. Because your fridge is meant to be airtight, when you close the fridge door hard, the air can push up through the vent system into the freezer, forcing that door open. The same thing can happen in reverse, though it’s less likely because the freezer door is lighter than the fridge compartment door. Before you call a technician for refrigeration repair, check that the gaskets on both doors are fully sealing. Then, prop up the front of the fridge so that it’s slightly higher than the back; this will help the doors close via gravity, as well as force. You can also place some heavy items in the freezer door to help keep it closed.

These minor issues can often be addressed on your own, but major refrigerator malfunctions, such as leaks and a complete inability to keep food cool, are cause for an immediate call to your local appliance repair company. The problem might lie in the fan, the cooling system, the compressors, the condenser coils, or a number of other components, and you don’t want to damage your fridge beyond repair by trying to fix it yourself. A repair professional will have the skill and the experience to solve the problem on your behalf.

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Source by Kelly R Robertson