What’s Wrong with Your Refrigerator: How to Fix It and When to Call a Repairman for Help
Knowing how to do proper maintenance and basic repairs of things around the house will save you a lot of money in the long run. There are some issues that do not require the expertise of a professional to mend.
So, if a common household item is not working as intended, maybe the first thing that you need to do is to figure out what went wrong and see if it is something you can fix on your own. You would be surprised by how many tasks around the house can be done even by someone who is not very handy.
For example, when your refrigeration starts malfunctioning, sometimes you need to call a repairman but, often, you don’t. Here are some of the most common refrigerator problems.
There is a Buzzing Noise
Many refrigerators make sounds. It can be frightening but, most of the time, it is normal. If you have owned the appliance for a long time and have heard it made noise for as long as you have it, it probably is a regular, albeit unwanted, feature. However, if it is something that started happening recently, it might be time to call a refrigerator repair service.
It is especially troubling if the buzzing is coming from behind the refrigerator. The sound may be coming from the compressor which only a professional, or someone who has more experience working with electronics, should attempt to fix.
Freezer Ice Buildup
No, your freezer should not look like Antarctica. If there is a serious ice buildup in your fridge, you need to do something about it.
Figure out what is causing the buildup. Leaving the door of your fridge open for too long creates too much humidity that will result in excessive frost and ice in the freezer.
If there are too many items stored in your freezer, that could also be causing the buildup. Something may be blocking the vent at the back of your freezer, preventing airflow.
The solution? Close the door of your fridge immediately. Do not linger in front of it or leave it open while you do something else. And, regularly check that the freezer vent is not blocked.
Water Leak
You wake up one morning and, the moment you reach your kitchen, you notice that there is a puddle under your refrigerator. A water leak is not a good sign, but it also is a pretty common occurrence when you own a refrigerator.
There are a few possible causes of the puddling, but the most common is a blocked defrost drain. Likely, a small food particle is clogging the defrost drain hose, leading to an ice build up that, eventually, leaks and form a puddle on the floor.
It is an easy fix. All you need to do is locate the drain inside the freezer and then flush it with warm water. You may also use a stick to forcibly remove the debris that is clogging it.
Your Refrigerator is Always Running
Now, this is a problem that needs to be addressed ASAP: when your refrigerator is always running, not only will it constantly emit noise, it will cause your electricity bill to skyrocket.
One possible reason why your refrigerator is always running is the temperature you have set. If it is too low, then the appliance is probably working overtime to compensate. Turn the thermostat up and observe it fixes the issue.
If not, then there might be a dirt buildup around the condenser coil. This happens more often in homes that are dusty or have pets around. You would need to unplug the machine, remove the grill, and wipe the coils.
If the problem persists, call a professional and let them diagnose the underlying problem.
Your refrigerator may seem intimidating, but once you get to know it well, you would immediately notice if anything is wrong with it and fix it when if it is not working properly. Moreover, to prevent having to repair your refrigerator, strictly follow the maintenance guide as instructed by the manufacturer.
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