When your refrigerator malfunctions, a professional can quickly diagnose the problem and provide an effective solution. But you can also try a few simple fixes before calling for service.
If you find water pools under or around your refrigerator, check the defrost drain and the water inlet valve. If either are frozen or blocked, thaw them with hot water.
Evaporator Fan
The evaporator fan circulates the cold air produced by the evaporator coils throughout the refrigerator. If it fails, the refrigerator may not cool properly. The fan usually is located behind the freezer compartment. You might have to remove some shelving or drawers to access it.
A faulty or worn-out fan motor can cause strange noises, including squealing and rattling. You might also notice inconsistent cooling or find that certain areas of the refrigerator are cooler than others.
You can test the evaporator fan motor by using your multimeter to check for continuity between the two terminals of the fan motor. However, professional technicians are qualified to do more detailed tests that determine if the control board is sending power to the fan motor. This can help you decide if the fan motor is the culprit of your refrigerator’s issues.
Compressor
The compressor acts as the heart of the refrigerator, circulating refrigerant to keep everything cold. When this component malfunctions, the fridge will no longer maintain a consistent temperature and may start to make unusual noises. Replacing the compressor is one of the pricier refrigerator repairs and can cost $500 to $1,000.
Homeowners who are comfortable performing basic DIY refrigerator repair projects can try replacing the rubber door seal, blowing out condenser coils with compressed air and vacuuming out dirt, lint and pet hair to resolve this problem. However, if these simple solutions do not solve the issue, homeowners should call in a professional for refrigerator repairs. This includes paying a diagnostic fee, which can range from $70 to $120 on average. This fee covers the cost of identifying the issue and providing a long-term fix to save the homeowner money in the future.
Door Hinges
Door hinges are one of the most essential components to a functioning door. They allow the door to open and close, allowing you to easily move through the room and into or out of your home. There are several different types of door hinges, each with a unique purpose.
The most common hinge is a butt hinge, which consists of two equal sized plates attached to the door frame and door itself. A central pin, which may or may not be removable, connects the plates and allows them to pivot. A variation on this type is the rising mortise hinge, which raises the door as it opens to help clear obstacles. Other types of hinges include:
Door Closer
A door closer is a piece of standard hardware that will close a door automatically or mechanically. This is commonly installed on fire doors as a requirement in commercial and residential properties for safety reasons, but they are also used in other applications to provide privacy, energy conservation and more.
To fix a door that won’t stay closed, first make sure that the hinges aren’t loose. If they are, you can use a screwdriver to remove the plastic cap from the top of the hinges and expose the hinge bolts. Then, you can use a wrench to loosen the hinge bolts and tighten them. You may also need to replace the door gasket if it is damaged. This is the rubber seal that runs around the edge of the refrigerator to keep cold air inside and warm air out.
Water Inlet Valve
Refrigerators are heavy-duty home appliances that work hard to keep your household food cold. When one of these essential fridge parts stops working, it’s important to get the repair service you need as soon as possible to prevent further problems and to save money on energy costs.
Start by making sure the refrigerator is unplugged, and turn off both the water and power to it. Next, pull the washer away from the wall to give you space to work. Label the wires to help you identify their position, and disconnect them by loosening the hose clamps with long-nose pliers.
Unscrew the mounting screws that hold the water inlet valve and remove it. Take the old valve with you to the appliance parts store to ensure you purchase the right replacement.