A refrigerator is a necessity for any home. Some homes even buy two or more refrigerators, especially if they have a lot of food to store.

Food is kept cold by a complicated refrigeration system with many parts. The system will fail if one of these components breaks, and your fridge will stop working correctly. 

Luckily, a professional company that offers appliance repair services will solve this problem. But how do you know when it’s time for repairs? 

Start paying attention to see if any of these warning signs mentioned below are happening, because if they are, you may need to have your refrigerator fixed. 

1. Abnormal Noise Coming From the Refrigerator

The first sign you need refrigerator repairs is if your fridge is making unusual noises. One of the most common issues with refrigerators is ice buildup in the freezer. This can cause a rattling noise when the ice falls off the coils and onto the freezer floor.

The other common issue with refrigerators is a leaky water line in the back of your fridge that can cause a gurgling sound when water runs through it. 

2. Excessively Hot or Cold Temperatures Inside the Fridge

To keep food safe and fresh, a refrigerator’s temperature should be between 38 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures above or below these mean you need to check your refrigerator if something is wrong. 

This is a sign that there might be something wrong with the compressor, thermostat, and/or thermistor. The compressor might be working, but the fan just isn’t running.

If you can’t get a reading, finding a repairman is necessary to check the wiring in the thermostat and/or thermistor and ensure they’re not damaged.

3. There Is A Leak In Your Fridge

A leaking fridge is another issue. Many factors, including improper installation or poor system maintenance, may be to blame. Water on the floor near the refrigerator and an accumulation of frost on the walls near the refrigerator door are typical leakage signs.

The smell of mold and mildew is another sign that a refrigerator has leaks. If there is an increase in humidity within the fridge, you may also notice this. Mold is commonly found on shelves where food is kept and around the gaskets of refrigerator doors. 

The water leak will also leave rust spots on metal surfaces like shelves and drawers, stains on the ceiling above your refrigerator, and stains on the flooring beneath it.

4. The Door Won’t Close Properly

The door may occasionally overlap, or the hinge may not close completely. Most of the time, the problem is that the door has been left open for too long, creating a space where warm air may exit and cool air can enter. 

Warm air continues to escape if the air entering the space is cooler than the air leaving it. The longer your refrigerator door won’t close properly, the more money you’ll spend on electricity, and the more food will spoil. 

5. Food Is Getting Frozen

Food freezing in the refrigerator is one of the most common issues. This usually happens when the defrosting coils are broken, or the refrigerator’s temperature is not set correctly.

If you realize that the food in your fridge has frozen, remove it and throw it out immediately. Then, clear off any ice or frost that has built up in your freezer, and defrost the coils in your refrigerator.

If you still encounter this problem a lot, even after clearing off the ice buildup, it means you have a broken refrigerator. 

6. High Electricity Bill

The truth is that refrigerators use about as much energy as the average family’s stove or dishwasher. Many people are unaware that refrigerators contribute about 10-15% of their monthly energy bill. But a fridge with a broken seal or faulty defrosting system can cause higher electricity bills than usual. 

7. Unnecessary Food Spoilage

The primary purpose of a fridge is to prevent food spoilage by keeping it fresh. But it’s frustrating when the food stored in your fridge gets spoiled.

If your food in the refrigerator seems to spoil faster or does not cool completely when it’s inside, it means that your refrigerator is not working. It is a waste of money and food, so you should deal with the problem immediately.

8. Ice Maker Is Not Making Ice

Your ice maker may not be working for several reasons. Sometimes, the ice machine needs to be fixed, and other times the water supply is simply running low. 

A Refrigerator’s Lifespan

A refrigerator is an appliance that keeps food cold and fresh. It does this by removing the heat from inside the fridge and cooling it with a refrigerant, usually Freon. A not-so-common problem called freon leak, which could affect your health may happen during your fridge’s lifespan. A leak of this nature would produce a smell between sweet and chloroform. 

The lifespan of a fridge largely depends on how well it is maintained. On average, a refrigerator can be used for 10 to 20 years! If you keep your fridge well, it can last longer than 20 years. However, refrigerators with poor insulation or inefficient motors can last for as little as 5 years or as long as 20 years.

Of course, your fridge will need repairs along the way, especially if it gets broken. The average cost of repairing a refrigerator is about $150 to $200.

But when you avoid getting refrigerator repairs or repairing it on your own, you might worsen the problem and have to buy a new refrigerator soon. That’s why you need to quickly hire a maintenance specialist if your fridge has a problem. 

Say Yes to Refrigerator Repairs

Don’t hesitate on refrigerator repairs if these signs show up. If your refrigerator is making strange noises, leaking water, or not cooling properly, it may be time for repairs.

Contact a qualified appliance repair technician to diagnose and fix the problem. Don’t ignore these warning signs, or you may end up with a bigger repair bill down the road!

Want more information on how to keep your fridge lasting for as long as possible? Check out our other blogs for more details!

Jane