Fridge and Freezer Repair in Kariega (Uitenhage)

Hot kitchens, hard-working fridges

Kariega's inland summers are hotter than the coast, and a fridge's job gets harder as the kitchen warms up. In a hot kitchen the fridge runs longer, the compressor works harder and weak components are more likely to fail. Many of the fridge repairs we do in Kariega and Despatch happen between December and March.

Common fridge faults in Kariega

Not cooling

The fridge is on but warm. We check the fans, thermostat or sensors, the defrost system, the starter relay and the compressor, and test for gas leaks. Fans and thermostats are quick fixes. Gas leaks and compressors take longer.

Freezer cold, fridge warm

In frost-free fridge-freezers, cold air is made in the freezer and blown into the fridge. If the defrost system fails, ice blocks that air path. Defrost heaters, timers and sensors are the usual suspects.

Clicking but not running

A click every few minutes with no hum means the compressor is not starting. Often the starter relay or overload, sometimes the compressor. Switch the fridge off to protect it.

Running constantly

Dirty condenser coils, a worn door seal, low gas or a faulty thermostat. Constant running wastes electricity and shortens compressor life.

Ice build-up

Thick ice in the freezer or on the fridge back wall points to a defrost fault or a door seal letting in warm, moist air.

Water on the floor

Usually a blocked defrost drain.

Repair or replace? An honest guide

When a fridge breaks, many people assume they need a new one. Often that is not true. Here is how we think about it.

Almost always repair

• Door seals
• Thermostats and temperature sensors
• Evaporator and condenser fans
• Defrost heaters, timers and sensors
• Starter relays and overloads
• Lights and switches

These are affordable parts, and the fridge will usually give years more service.

Usually worth repairing

• Control boards on mid-range and premium fridges
• Gas leaks on fridges under about eight to ten years old

Think carefully

• Compressor replacement on a small, older or budget fridge
• Multiple faults at once on an old fridge
• Fridges with badly rusted cabinets or cracked liners

In these cases, we give you the repair price and an honest opinion, and you decide. A modern fridge is also more energy efficient, which can make replacement worthwhile on very old models.

Keeping your fridge healthy in Kariega

• Ventilation. Leave a few centimetres around the fridge, especially at the back and top.
• Clean the coils. Vacuum the condenser at the back or underneath once or twice a year.
• Location. Avoid placing the fridge next to the stove, in direct sun or in a hot, unventilated corner.
• Seals. Clean door seals and check them with the paper test.
• Surges. Use a delayed-restart surge protector.
• Temperature. Keep the fridge at 3 to 5 degrees and the freezer at about minus 18. Colder settings make it work harder without benefit.

Businesses

We repair fridges and freezers in offices, staff rooms, small shops, tuck shops and practices across Kariega and Despatch. For commercial display fridges and cold rooms, let us know what you have and we will advise.

Despatch

We cover Despatch on the same basis as Kariega, usually same day or next day.