Frigi-Know: Your Guide to Refrigerator Troubleshooting

Unlocking the Cold Truth: Your Essential Guide to Refrigerator Repairs and Myths

We get a lot of questions about refrigerators and how to go about repairing them both before and during a maintenance call. We’ve been asked all sorts of things from the normal ‘can’t you just repair a compressor?” to “can my fridge explode??” and everything in between. So we’ve rounded up the ones we get most often while working on refrigerators and are answering them here. 

Repair-oriented questions 

Can Refrigerator Doors Be Removed/ Replaced/ Adjusted?

Fridge doors can indeed be easily removed, and when you’re done you just pop them back into place. They can also be adjusted. Most shops will have screws to help you align the doors properly, they might even be included when you purchase a fridge. If not, or if you’ve had your fridge for a while, you can always ask at a nearby hardware store.  As to replacing doors, this one is more.. Dependant on you. There are shops that can replace a door for you, we can even do that if you like. However, we will say that you might want to look at the fridge you have and consider if it’s worth it. If you’ve spent 10-15k on your refrigerator, then yes, replacing a door is absolutely a good call. On the other hand, if you only spent a third of that? Then you might as well buy an entirely new fridge for the price of getting a new door. 

Can A Refrigerator Compressor Be Repaired?

Yes! However, we will say that it’s not typically cost-effective to repair them. There’s two reasons for that. The first point is that repairing a compressor isn’t a guaranteed way to extend the lifespan of the part. You can often repair the part only to have it break again before long. Additionally, not all compressors can be repaired at all. Some are built so that once they break, that’s it, you’ll have no choice but to replace it. 

We will also point out that while a pro can replace a compressor,  attempting to do it on your own is ill-advised. Most refrigerator compressors are not cross-compatible and you’re more likely to do further damage to your fridge in attempting to replace it. It is a complex job with many potential failure points if you aren’t intimately aware of what you’re doing. 

Additionally, the failure isn’t always the compressor. It might be your fans, it might be that your refrigerator is frozen over, or it might be that the poor thing is choking on dust bunnies. While some of our other posts have pointed out ways to tell what the issue is, it’s not always easy. 

 Can You Add Freon To Your Refrigerator?

Can you the individual? No, or at least not easily. Additionally, if you’ve replaced your refrigerator since 2020, it’s no longer freon. Can a professional add freon to your refrigerator if that’s the type of coolant it uses? Yes. 

 Can My  Refrigerator Leak Freon?

Most assuredly it can, and we hope that yours never does. Freon is a gas, so the only thing you’ll smell is a slight chemical odor. Additionally you won’t see the freon itself it is leaking, instead you’ll have an oily residue that’s leftover from the freon. The only reason it will be leaking though is if something got a hole poked into it. Have you recently done a DIY repair that went wrong? Or were you a bit too pushy with making scraping out some built up frost? These are the reasons that having a professional come in is important, because you don’t want to have a freon leak. 

Can Your Refrigerator Explode 

Yup, we’re going to answer this one, so that next time a small child in your life asks, you can answer it. 

The surprising answer here is yes, a refrigerator can actually explode. HOWEVER it’s exceedingly rare. So, this is a thing that can only happen with newer fridges. Older fridges used freon, and freon doesn’t explode. R-600 however is flammable. So, to make this one happen, you’d have to a) have a newer fridge utilizing R-600 as the coolant, and b) it would have to have a hole in the line, c) it would need to have very little circulation around it and d) you’d need something with a spark. While the first one is more common these days between older fridges failing due to age, and rebates being offered to shift away from freon-based refrigerators, the rest aren’t. So long as you take care of your fridge, having a hole in the line and little air circulation isn’t likely to happen. Or if they do, you should be calling in a repair technician to fix one or both issues. As to the last, we hope and trust that all of our readers know how to be safe around fire. 

So yes, technically, your refrigerator can explode. BUT it’s such a rarity that it’s more likely that any time you hear of it you should suspect foul play rather than a natural occurrence. 

In conclusion, refrigerators can be a source of many questions and concerns, both for those looking to repair them and for those curious about their potential dangers. From adjusting doors to the complexity of compressor repairs and the use of refrigerants like freon, we've covered some of the most common queries surrounding these essential appliances. It's important to remember that while refrigerators technically have the potential to explode under specific circumstances, it's an exceedingly rare occurrence, especially with older models. By ensuring proper maintenance and addressing any issues promptly, you can keep your refrigerator running smoothly and safely, reducing the likelihood of any unexpected and dramatic outcomes.

If you find yourself in need of professional assistance with your refrigerator or any other appliance, don't hesitate to reach out to Appliance Rescue Service. Our expert technicians are ready to help you with all your appliance repair needs. You can give us a call at ((214) 599-0055) or visit our contact page to schedule an appointment. We're here to rescue your appliances and provide you with peace of mind.

Additional Reading:
Refrigerator Cooling Issues? Check These 5 Things!

Why Is My Refrigerator Making Weird Noises!?

37 Reasons To Have Your Appliances Maintained Regularly

How You Can Avoid Costly Repairs

If you're like most homeowners, you rely heavily on your major appliances to keep your household running smoothly. From refrigerators and washing machines to stoves and dryers, these machines make our lives easier and more comfortable. But did you know that regular maintenance is necessary to keep them working properly? In this article, we'll explore why it's important to have your major appliances maintained on a regular basis. So sit back, relax, and let's get started!

Let’s take a look at what it means to keep your appliances ‘maintained,’ shall we? 

Maintain  - 

To keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline.

So, it’s a matter of regular repair to keep your appliances from decline or failure. That makes sense. 

What problems can regular maintenance prevent? 

When we send out our technicians to your home for a top-down maintenance check, they’re going to look at all of your appliances. Your refrigerator, oven, range, ice makers, dishwasher, washer and dryer, everything gets checked. Why? Because everything has small ways that they can go wrong, which, if caught, can prevent an exorbitant repair bill for you. 

Refrigerator Maintenance

When it comes to the refrigerator, many things need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Your condenser coils and fan need to be cleaned regularly so your fridge doesn’t have to work as hard to keep cool. You’ve also got the water filter, which should be checked every six months, and some refrigerators also have an air filter that needs to be changed yearly.  We also check the defrost drains, as those also need to be cleaned yearly. The one thing that needs to be checked regularly, but not necessarily messed with, is your door seals. Making sure the seals are still shutting properly means that your fridge will close and cool properly, rather than trying to cool your entire kitchen. (Because that is an electric  bill none of us need.) 

Oven Maintenance 

For your oven, one of the first things that needs to be checked is the temperature. It sounds odd, but imagine if you try to bake a cake at 350*, but your oven is actually at 400* and only reading at 350? That can and does happen. So we check any time we’re called in to ensure that everything is working as it should. We also look at the cooling and convection fans to make sure they’re spinning easily to cool or circulate the air within your oven.  From there, we’ll make sure that the door seals are still good and that the elements aren’t overheating, either due to a fault or summer heat. Finally, if you have a gas oven, we’ll check the igniters. They need to be cleaned regularly to ensure you don’t have a buildup in the line or the oven. As we mentioned in a previous post, it’s best to leave this to a professional so that you don’t accidentally break something and cause a gas leak. 

Stove/Ranges/Cooktops Maintenance 

Your stove or cooktop is checked at the same time, especially if you have a gas version. We want to make sure that the pilot lights are not having issues and that the burner ports and igniters are clean. 

Ice Maker Maintenance 

We’ve mentioned just recently that your ice maker needs regular maintenance, and that includes both free-standing ones and those that are built into your refrigerator. This means that when you ask for a maintenance check, we’ll be looking at them, no matter what type you have. 

For both types, we’ll check the water flow to make sure it’s working as it should and giving you a full ice tray. If you have an in-refrigerator ice maker, we’ll want to check to ensure that there aren’t any Tephlon chips, as that has been noted as a serious health hazard. For a freestanding ice maker, we’ll want to go for a thorough cleaning at least once a year, if not every six months. From there, we’ll also check in on the pressure switch and be sure to clean the condenser coils as well. Those are just as important to your ice maker being able to breathe as they are to your refrigerator. 

Dishwasher Maintenance 

Your dishwasher has one of the longest lists of things that need to be checked, because there are so many parts packed into a small area. We’ll look at your seals and clean them as well, if needed, as well as the filters for your dishwasher. We want to look at the spray arms to ensure they’re not clogged and at the heating element to ensure that it’s still heating and not damaged. The draining process of your dishwasher will also be checked so that you don’t get an unfortunate overflow situation. We’ll also make sure to run a dishwasher cleaner once a month if you schedule that often. 

Washer Maintenance 

Finally moving out of the kitchen, let’s head over to your laundry room. Here, we’re going to take a look at your washer first. We’ll make sure that it fills properly on both hot and cold settings, as well as ensuring that it drains properly. We’ll want to take a look at your hoses to ensure there isn’t any damage or kinks in the line that can lead to issues. We’ll also make sure to clean the door boot and coin trap if your unit has them. We’ll also check on the springs or traps and run a cleaner on a monthly basis. 

Dryer Maintenance 

Our last stop, at least for this tour, is your dryer. Here, we’re not cleaning as much as we’re double-checking everything. We’ll check your venting to make sure that it isn’t obstructed by lint, debris, or clothing that the dryer goblins have stolen. We’ll also make sure that the vent chute and filter are clean and ensure that air is flowing freely through the machine. We will ensure that your dryer is rotating smoothly and without any unusual sounds.

Disclaimer: Although we’ve laid things out in this order, it doesn’t mean that our technicians will go in this order, as it varies on a number of factors. 

With that, which appliance do you think should be checked over most often? Let us know over on our Facebook page! 

If you want to get started on having your appliances regularly maintained, you can reach out to us via our contact page or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055).