At Coast Appliance Repair, we help our customers keep their refrigerators and freezers running smoothly. We work on almost all the major brands, including Frigidaire, LG, Samsung, Kenmore, and Whirlpool, and even if we don’t work with a particular brand, we can often order compatible parts. Our goal is to provide top quality appliance repair services in order to help every customer get the best service and longest life possible from their refrigerators and freezers.
Repair Vs. Replacement
If your refrigerator starts leaking or stops cooling, you may wonder whether refrigerator repair is worthwhile or if it’s better just to buy a new appliance. There are several guidelines to help consumers decide when to repair or replace a refrigerator. One common recommendation is to repair a refrigerator if the cost of the repair is less than half the cost of purchasing a brand new appliance.
Another thing to think about is the probable lifespan of the machine. If a problem occurs within the first six or seven years of its life, it’s probably worth fixing, but once the appliance is over seven years old, it may be more cost effective to replace it. However, not everyone’s budget can support a brand new refrigerator, and we help many clients get more life out of their older models. If you’re not sure whether to repair or replace, give us a call and let us evaluate your situation.
Types of Refrigerators
At Coast Appliance, we work with all major brands and models of refrigerators and freezers. We can repair all configurations: side-by-side, a top freezer, or a bottom freezer. Of the three, the side-by-side model with an ice maker is one of the most popular designs, but it is also the most likely to need repairs.
Side-by-side models also have a slightly shorter lifespan than other styles, though with proper use and maintenance, most people can get up to 12 years of service from their appliance. Refrigerators with top and bottom freezers can last 17 years or more if they are kept in good condition.
Refrigerator Maintenance
One of the services we provide for our customers is refrigerator maintenance, which can reduce the need for more expensive refrigerator and freezer repair. We are also happy to offer advice if customers prefer to do it on their own. The two main parts of a refrigerator that need maintenance are the condenser coils and the door seals.
Cleaning Condenser Coils
Condenser coils are located on the back or bottom of the refrigerator, and they allow the refrigerant to cool down and absorb heat from the refrigerator and freezer. However, they only work well when they’re clean. When coils are clogged with dust and dirt, the coils can’t release the heat they absorb, and the compressor has to work too hard. To clean condenser coils, we use a special brush and vacuum.
Cleaning Door Seals
Door seals are important because they protect the temperature inside the refrigerator. When doors seals are dirty, they may not make a complete seal, meaning that cold air can leak out. We recommend cleaning out a refrigerator and freezer once a month by taking everything out and wiping down the walls, doors, and shelves with a soapy sponge. When the door gaskets are clean, they’ll make a stronger and more protective seal.
Other Maintenance
Other common maintenance tasks include cleaning the condenser fan when the coils are at the bottom of the refrigerator, keeping freezer vents clear, and making sure that the temperature settings are optimal. Refrigerators should be set between 38 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit, while freezers should be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below. All of these maintenance steps can help post-pone more costly repairs.
Common Refrigerator Repairs
In addition to maintenance, fridge repair services typically include examining and testing the problem in order to make the correct diagnosis, replacing defective parts or cleaning clogged parts as needed, and educating the customer about the problem and solution. Some of the most common repairs that we make involve the thermostat, the ice-maker, the water filter system, and the electronic control board.
Temperature Issues
A common complaint we hear from customers is that the refrigerator or freezer isn’t getting cold enough. People may notice that frozen food is starting to thaw or milk is going bad too quickly in the refrigerator. The culprit is often a defective thermometer, which we can easily order and replace.
No Water
When a refrigerator doesn’t dispense water like it should, the problem most often lies with the filter. When a filter isn’t changed regularly, debris can build up and prevent water from getting through. The water valve at the back of the refrigerator can also get clogged with mineral deposits, in which case, we’ll need to replace it.
Ice Maker Problems
When the ice maker stops dispensing ice, there are several possible explanations we look for. First of all, the thermostat might be set too high. Even though water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, it only forms good ice cubes at 10 degrees or below. In addition, the water inlet valve may be clogged, or the condenser fan may be broken, which prevents the freezer from getting as cold as it needs to be. The worst case scenario is that the whole ice maker assembly will need to be replaced.
Too Much Noise
Another common reason why customers call us is to report a loud noise coming from the refrigerator or freezer. The problem is likely to be an evaporator fan with a bad motor, which we can easily replace. Alternatively, the source of the problem may lie in a damaged electronic control board, another part we can order and replace for our customers.
These are just a few of the issues we tackle on a regular basis, but our experienced technicians have seen it all. If you are having any problems with your refrigerator or freezer, let us come and take a look at it and give you our professional opinion.
