Preparing Your Appliances for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

Regular refrigerator maintenance is important to ensure its efficient and safe operation. Refrigerators are a major appliance in many homes, and proper maintenance can help extend its life. Regular maintenance tasks include cleaning the interior and exterior, inspecting the seals and gaskets, checking the temperature settings, and inspecting the condenser coils. 

If your refrigerator has stopped running, the first thing to do is to look around and see if there are any obvious issues that may be causing it. In this guide, we'll go over what you need to do when your refrigerator breaks down.

What Causes Refrigerator Break Downs?

Refrigerator breakdowns can be caused by a variety of issues, including a dirty condenser coil, a faulty thermostat, a faulty compressor, or a clogged drain line. Identifying the cause of the breakdown is important before attempting to fix it.

What to Do When Your Refrigerator Breaks Down?

1) Check the Motor

If your fridge isn't working properly, the first step is to check if the motor is running. If it is, the problem likely lies in either the condenser or the compressor.

If you think that something is wrong with your refrigerator, it's best to limit the amount of cold air that escapes by keeping its door closed. It's likely that an appliance repair specialist will need to be contacted in order to determine and fix the internal issue. The motor is running and the appliance is too warm, indicating that something is not working as it should.

2) Check the Outlet

The next step is to check the outlet that the refrigerator is plugged into. Ensure that it is properly plugged in and that the outlet has power. You can try plugging in a device you know is functioning correctly. If the other device works, the issue likely lies with the refrigerator, not the electrical outlet.

If the outlet is not working, reset the circuit breaker or replace the fuse to see if that resolves the issue.

3) Clean Out the Components

The next step is to clean out the components of the refrigerator. This includes the condenser coils, the fan, and the drain pan. Use a vacuum to remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated.

This will help improve air circulation, which can help the refrigerator run more efficiently.

To get to the cooling components of your refrigerator, take off the kick-plate or grill at the bottom of the fridge. This is typically located in the back, but in some cases, it might be in the front. Clean the parts carefully using a vacuum and a cloth or brush. If the refrigerator still isn't working after cleaning the cooling parts, you should contact a professional appliance repair technician to further investigate the issue.

4) Decide What to Do with Perishable Food Items

If you've had to turn off the refrigerator at any time, you should throw out any perishable food items in the fridge. This includes dairy products, meats, fish, and eggs.

Conclusion

Refrigerator maintenance is important to keep the appliance running efficiently and prolong its life. It is important to check the door seals regularly and regularly clean the coils, condenser, and fan blades to ensure that the refrigerator is working properly and not consuming too much energy. 

Lonestar Appliance Repair can help you in case your refrigerator breaks down. We offer appliance repair in Cleveland for all your needs. Get in touch with us today to learn how.