How To Repair Simple Refrigerator Problems
Your refrigerator keeps your food and drinks cold, as well as your frozen items. There's nothing worse than going to your refrigerator and finding that your frozen items have all thawed. That can mean a lot of wasted food and money. Not to mention the costs related to the repairs or replacement of your refrigerator. All of that money can add up and cause a good sized deficit in your bank account. Some repairs are pretty simple, and can be done yourself. See below for some of these simple problems and how to repair them yourself.
Ice Machine Not Working
If your ice machine is suddenly producing small ice cubes, or none at all, don't fret; this is an easy fix. First, open up the door to the freezer to be sure there isn't an ice cube stuck inside the ice maker. If not, check the water line to be sure it isn't kinked anywhere. A kinked line can cause the water to not flow properly, which can lead to small cubes, or none at all. Pull the refrigerator away from the wall to check the exterior line. If it's kinked, try to straighten it if you can, or replace it all together. You can find a new water line at your local hardware store.
Leaking Refrigerator
Water puddling beneath your refrigerator is not normal. If you notice water on the floor around the base of your refrigerator, first check to be sure your refrigerator is level. If it isn't level, the drip pan beneath the refrigerator can be un-level as well, causing the water to puddle on your floor, rather than evaporate like it's supposed to. Next, check that your water supply line or drain tube isn't leaking.
Refrigerator/Freezer Not Getting Cold
If you notice that your food seems slightly warm, or your ice cream is more like flavored milk, first check the thermostat inside the refrigerator/freezer. Turn the dial to colder in both to see if this repairs the problem. Give your refrigerator/freezer at least an hour after adjusting the thermostat to see if that repairs the problem. If not, check the coils on the back of the refrigerator, or beneath your refrigerator, depending on the age of your refrigerator. These coils can become clogged with dust, dirt, and other debris over time, which can block the air flow to your machine. Clean them using a stiff nylon cleaning brush and a vacuum.
Your refrigerator is a major appliance in your home—and a necessary one. Some problems can be simple, easy repairs that anyone can repair. If you run into a bigger problem, it may be time to call in a professional repair technician from a company like Better Homes Appliance Service for help.