Most businesses that rely on walk-in coolers and freezers simply can’t do without these appliances. Even being rendered inoperable for just a few hours or a single day could throw your business into shambles.
As if you didn’t already have enough to worry about. Unfortunately, just like anything mechanical, walk-in coolers and freezers will eventually need repairs. This is especially true for those of you who aren’t properly maintaining them. Nonetheless, it always pays to be ahead of the game.
A1 Portland Commercial Refrigeration Repair
Frost Build-Up
Being that such cooling appliances are specifically designed to create a near-arctic environment one might imagine ice and frost build-up as a commonality. This is true to a point. Yes, there will likely be minimal frost and ice here and there when the appliance is operating properly.
However, it always pays to keep a keen watch over this. It shouldn’t take an appliance repairman to notice when your appliances are producing an unnormal amount of ice and frost.
What it likely means is there are temperature variations and humidity afoot in the appliance. Warm air is mixing with your appliance’s cooler air output and preventing it from reaching desired cooling temperatures.
The most common causes of this are leaky seals and gaskets. Where exactly are the frost and ice building up? That should tell you enough to point you in the direction of the issue.
Fluctuating Temperatures
Speaking of fluctuating temperatures, this is a common one that freezer and cooler owners experience. Although common, it can be a major problem for inventory, as it’ll prevent the inside of the cooler from reaching desired cooling temps. The goal of any cooler or freezer is to maintain a steady temp.
When coolers and freezers aren’t properly maintained, they end up working harder and longer to satisfy the temps. And just like an overworked manual laborer, such working conditions will cause a crash
If your appliance is having a harder time than normal reaching the desired thermostat settings it could be a result of dirty coils, dirty filters, leaky seals, and gaskets around openings, or it could be something as simple as employees leaving the main door propped open for prolonged periods.
Odd Smells
Spend enough time in an environment and you’ll become acquainted with the sounds, sights, and smells. For instance, you probably know immediately when your car starts acting strange. This is the familiarity level you want to be on with your appliance.
You want to be able to pick up on it the second something is wrong. Learning the smells can help you do that. This might be a bit more difficult for businesses dealing with potently smelling produce. Of course, these are the businesses that are at the greatest risk as well.
A strange smell in your cooler could represent anything from a fried circuit board to a burned-up motor, a coolant leak, or even leaky inventory.
Strange Noises
As was stated, one needs to learn the normal operating environment of their cooler. Doing so will only better help you detect and interpret problems. Usually, strange sounds aren’t that hard to uncover because all one needs to do is follow the area to where the sounds are coming from.
That said, such sounds are usually related to something mechanical. Something that constantly moves or creates friction, and leaps into action at the click of a signal is bound to bend or break over time. Especially if lacking in lubrication. Most motors are internally sealed these days so greasing and oiling are not a common maintenance practice anymore.
Water Leaks
Most people don’t associate water with cooling appliances, other than air conditioners. Well, a cooler or freezer works using nearly the same theory as a common air conditioner. Therefore, this will be condensation. Condensation that needs to be properly removed from the coils and drain pains.
Water leaks are usually the result of clogged drains but can sometimes be the result of items freezing and rapidly thawing out. Either way, water and freezing environments do not mix. They’ll only create hazardous working conditions that you’ll need to jump on immediately
