It's natural to take your home's freezer for granted. Though the technology makes possible what would have seemed like magic just a few generations ago, homeowners have gotten so used to having subzero temperatures on demand that they rarely think much about it until a problem arises. Fortunately, most freezer repairs are relatively straightforward with the help of a professional. Here's a closer look at the most common ones.

How to Address Problems With Your Freezer

1. It's Not Running

If the appliance doesn't seem to be running at all, don't open the door unless it's necessary. This will maintain as much of the cold temperature inside as possible while you troubleshoot. It's possible that the cord has come unplugged from the wall, so this is the first place to check along with the breaker that controls that outlet. 

If the electrical supply seems fine, the issue might be internal. The compressor might need to be replaced, or the electrical board or cold control thermostat may have malfunctioned. Contact a freezer repair professional to assess the situation.

2. Temperature Is Too Warm

A warm freezer can't do its job much better than one that's not running at all. If you're experiencing inadequate cold, a faulty thermostat may not be reading the temperature settings correctly. The temperature sensor, which measures how cold the interior is, may also be the culprit.

A technician can replace these parts with ease, but a refrigerant problem may require a more involved appointment. If you want to test this possibility yourself, mix dish soap with a small amount of water and spray the mixture along the entirety of the refrigerant tubing. If a leak has sprung, you should see bubbles form in a particular spot. The leak will have to be repaired before the coolant supply is recharged.

3. It's Making Noise

Like modern refrigerators, a freezer should make very little noise when operating. However, frost may form on the evaporator or rotating fan due to a malfunctioning defrost timer, heater, or sensor. This frozen moisture can cause the evaporator motor to lose lubrication, resulting in a buzzing or clicking sound. A combination of these parts may need to be repaired or replaced.

4. Frost Is Building Up

When you open and close the freezer door, warm and moist air can get trapped inside. The moisture settles on food and the appliance's walls and turns into frost. A marginal amount of frost is fine, but if you're seeing a buildup occur, another problem may be present. 

The most common answer is a damaged door or gasket, which creates an airtight seal behind the door. However, a faulty heating element, defrost timer, or defrost sensor may also be failing to initiate the melting process. Reach out to a freezer repair professional to narrow the possibilities down.

If your freezer is experiencing any of these problems or something more mysterious, the professional team at Pro Appliance will get to the bottom of the issue and have you back to normal in no time. These professionals serve homeowners throughout the Statesboro, GA, area and offer a 12-month guarantee on any part they install, including labor costs. Call (912) 764-4654 to schedule a freezer repair appointment and visit them online to learn more about their services.