Refrigerator Problems and How to fix them
There’s a greater demand for cold drinks, ice cubes and ice cream treats when the weather is hot and humid. That means your refrigerator got a good workout this summer, with people constantly opening and closing its doors. And considering this unusually warm fall we are having, it’s not surprising that your refrigerator might start having problems.
Although each brand of refrigerators usually has its own trouble spots, there are some problems that are common for all types of refrigerators. So, whether you own a Maytag, a Whirlpool, an LG or a GE model, watch for these signs that something’s going wrong.
The food is going bad faster
If you find yourself throwing away spoiled food more often than usual, it can mean two things: either your family members stopped eating (at home) or your fridge is not as cold as it used to be.
There are strange sounds coming from your fridge
If you hear bangs, clunks, squeals or any other noises that you haven’t heard before, don’t dismiss them. It’s your refrigerator trying to tell you that it might need repair in the near future.
Your energy bill is climbing up
This one is often hard to notice if you don’t typically keep track of your household energy use. Get into the habit of comparing your bills from each year. If there was no increase in rates or no unusually hot or cold weather, your fridge might be the culprit. An energy hog as it is, it can eat up even more resources when parts start failing and it has to try harder to keep the temperatures cool.
The ice is everywhere
Ice belongs in your icemaker. If you start finding sheets of ice or frost in either freezer or fresh food compartment, consider this a bad sign.
So, what’s going on?
There could be a number of issues that can cause these symptoms. Just to name a few:
- faulty thermostat
- defective compressor motor
- worn-out door gasket
- dusty condenser coils
Some problems (like cleaning condenser coils) you can fix yourself, while the rest might require professional refrigerator repair. The sooner you start troubleshooting and repair, the better your chances are for a fast and less expensive resolution.
But many times, you simply need to call the pros.
In this case, here’s what you can do while you are waiting for them to arrive:
Make room in the old refrigerator you keep in the garage or in the freezer in your basement and transfer whatever you can there as soon as possible. Ask a close neighbor, friend or relative to store some perishables for you, or just offer the food to them rather than have it go to waste.
Get a head start on dinner and use up as many perishable ingredients from your refrigerator as possible. (This might be a good time to dig out the crock pot.)
Find or borrow an ice chest or a cooler, buy a bag or two of ice and store your perishables in there for the time being.
And remember: when in doubt – throw it out. Don’t take a chance with spoiled food: that’s the best way to keep you and your family safe.
