When setting up a new restaurant, commercial kitchen equipment can cost you tens of thousands of dollars. When you are spending such amounts of money you need to take your time and buy the right appliance. Here are tips on how to buy the right commercial kitchen appliance:

Go for commercial-grade equipment

When buying kitchen equipment you can buy residential or commercial grade equipment. Since you are starting a commercial kitchen, you should only invest in commercial grade equipment.

In addition to the appliance being easy to clean, it rarely develops problems; therefore, you don’t have to keep on seeking commercial appliance services Fairfax. The appliances are designed to withstand the rigors of a commercial kitchen. This makes them last for a long time.

Buy new equipment

Many people starting new restaurants are usually strapped for cash. Due to this, most of them go for used kitchen equipment. While you save money by buying a used appliance, you end up spending plenty of money in the long run.

Since the appliances have been used before they constantly develop problems thus you are required to regularly hire a commercial kitchen appliance repair professional to fix them.

To avoid going through the trouble, you should invest in new appliances. While they will be costly at the beginning, they will save you plenty of money and time in the long run.

Functions

What can the kitchen appliance do? To save money, invest in an appliance that can do more than one task. If looking for a commercial refrigerator, go for one that can not only cool food, it should also provide you with ice. This saves you money that you would have spent buying a commercial ice maker.

Warranty

Warranties come in handy when the appliance starts developing problems even before the warranty period is over. When problems start developing, you should contact the company and they will ask you to return the appliance or send a commercial kitchen repair professional to fix the appliance for you.

Warranties vary from one company/brand to the other. If you are torn between brands carefully go through the warranties and understand what is covered and what isn’t in each brand. As rule of thumb go with the brand that covers the most features.

Before you leave, fill the warranty and return it to the company.

Conclusion

These are the main tips that you should consider when buying a commercial kitchen appliance. For the appliances to run effectively and for long hire a commercial kitchen appliance service provider to maintain them.

The post Commercial Kitchen Appliance Service: Tips On How To Buy The Right Commercial Kitchen Equipment first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair. The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair

Washing machines could not be simpler to use. Simply load your soiled clothing, add detergent, and start the machine. After a few hours, you’ll have clean and fresh laundry ready for clothes dryers.

While this is the case, things become more complicated if something prevents your washing machine from spinning. You end up with a sopping wet ball of clothes that you must either run through another separate spin cycle (after adjusting the load) or, if that fails, wring out and dry yourself, which is time-consuming.

A failed spin cycle can be inconvenient, and even the best washing machines can be affected. If this is a recurring issue for you, appliance repair professionals report that it can be brought about by several reasons causing your washing machine not to spin. Here are some of these reasons and tips on how to solve the problem once and for all.

Overloading the machine

It’s easy to get into the habit of cramming everything into your washing machine. After all, the fewer cycles you run, the more energy and water you save.

While this is correct, overloading your washing machine may cause the load to wash less efficiently because the garments will not agitate as quickly, and the detergent will not penetrate or apply itself evenly.

The solution is simple: don’t overload your washing machine. You can tell whether you’re doing it by how much you shove and stuff things in. Only fill it to make the best use of the available area and to ensure a complete and regulated spin cycle.

When loading the machine, remember that some cycles, such as the rapid wash setting, also have a limited capacity, so keep this in mind at all times.  

Unevenly loading the machine.

Depending on what you’re washing, you might not fill the machine but still create an uneven load. This is frequent when washing heavy objects such as pillows or tiny duvets.

Since these are saturated and weighed down during the wash cycle, any gaps in the drum become more noticeable.

The weight is thrown across the drum while the machine tries to gain speed to spin. In such cases, the sensors will normally kick in and prevent it from spinning for the abovementioned reasons.

To remedy the issue, you need to balance out the weight distribution. This can be accomplished by piling two pillows at once or padding the weight with towels. This will allow the machine to safely reach the appropriate spin speed without tossing itself around.

While this is an effective solution, ensure the bedding you’re washing is machine-safe. Certain pillows, such as memory foam, are not suited, and delicate bedding may require dry washing.

If you wash your pillows in the washing machine, completely dry them afterward, fluffing them frequently in a well-ventilated area.

Running an imbalanced machine

Another reason your washing machine isn’t spinning is because it’s not leveled properly. If the feet are not evenly balanced on the floor, the weight will be rotated in the drum, generating a lot of noise.

Leaning on the top of the appliance and moving your weight around will reveal whether this is the case. In the absence of that, a spirit level can assist in determining where the appliance is uneven. In such cases, the sensors will once again inhibit the spin cycle.

Adjust the feet to the proper height to level an uneven washing machine. To begin, unhook the appliance and carefully remove it from its location.

This allows you to inspect the floor’s condition; if it’s damaged in any manner, you’ll need to repair it. Depending on access, you may need to adjust the feet here, but otherwise, you may push it back into place with a helping hand and adjust it from there. 

The directions for adjusting the feet will be in the handbook, but the standard procedure is to loosen the lock nuts on each foot using a wrench and then rotate the required bolts to increase or decrease the height.

When satisfied, check the balance as you modify and tighten the nuts. This should resolve the issue, but if you need more confidence about adjusting the feet, you can always get a professional to help.

Using too much detergent

Many people have the impression that using too much detergent is harmless. Many believe it increases cleaning performance, but this is not true. Too much detergent makes rinsing garments more difficult, resulting in residual soap. This results in a “scrunchy” texture that is more likely to cause allergy reactions.

Clothes will also not agitate as effectively in the washing machine. You should remember that too many suds prevent a good wash by cushioning the clothes from rubbing against one another.

Too much detergent can cause issues with the spin cycle on front-loading washing machines. This is due to the fact that it produces excessive suds, which confuse the sensors if not thoroughly washed away.

The washing machine will believe it is fuller than it is, affecting the spin cycle speed. It may even pause to remove the suds, resulting in delays or problems. At best, this results in a less efficient spin cycle and clothing that is too moist and soapy.

To stay safe, use a suitable HE (high efficiency) washing detergent to avoid this issue. Such detergents will not produce excessive suds but follow the dosage instructions.

Damaged drive belt

The drive belt in your washing machine is what rotates the drum. So, if it’s stopped spinning, there could also be an issue here. By manually turning the empty drum of your washing machine, you may examine the condition of the drive belt. If it spins smoothly with little effort, the drive belt has likely been misplaced or snapped entirely.

Check the drive belt on some machines by unplugging the machine and removing the front or rear panel – your manual should provide instructions. You should be able to see if it’s come loose or broken and has to be replaced.

In either case, you should get the help of a washer repair Fairfax professional to handle the replacement. Some machines may need to be propped up or even flipped over to gain access to this part, which can be dangerous, and you must use the correct part for the exact model and fit it correctly, which a professional can assist with.

The post Reasons Your Washing Machine Won’t Spin and What to Do About It first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair. The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair

If you have a hotel or guest house you need a water heater for the guests to enjoy hot showers. While a water heater provides comfort, it consumes plenty of power and your electricity bills can skyrocket if you don’t take measures to control it. To guide you here are measures that you can take to save your water heating bills:

Turn down the thermostat

Water heaters come preset at 140 degrees. While the water is comfortable for bathing to some at this temperature, it can be scalding to others. To reduce the risk of scalding and giving your business a bad name, lower the temperature to 120 degrees.

This temperature is high enough for the guests to enjoy a nice bath and at the same time reduce mineral buildup in the pipes and tank.

It’s easy to lower the thermostat, but if you are not comfortable with your skills, hire commercial appliances repair Fairfax to help you out.

Install low-flow showerheads

Showerheads not only reduce the amount of water that the guests use, they also save on your water bill. According to water heater repair professionals, when you install showerheads you reduce water consumption by up to 60%. You also cut your water heating bill by up to 20%.

When buying the showerheads buy them from a reputable store. Also have them installed by an experienced expert.

Drain the sediment

Just like in any other appliances, sediment reduces the efficiency of your water heater. To keep the tank running efficiently you need to drain it. You can hire a repair contractor to do the work, but if you don’t have money, do the work by yourself.

To drain the sediment you need to turn off water and power to the water heater tank and then connect a garden hose to the base of the tank. You should then let the water run out together with the sediment.

Insulate exposed water pipes

Plenty of heat is lost through exposed water pipes. Commercial appliances service providers have been able to show that by insulating exposed water pipes, water arrives in the water heater 1-2 degrees warmer.

This not only saves you time that you would have waited for the water to get warm, it also saves you energy that you would have used heating the water. All you need to do is to hire a water heater contractor to insulate the pipes. For long term service use high quality insulating material.

 

The post Water Heater Repair: Tips On How To Lower Your Water Heating Bills first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair. The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair

The garbage disposal makes household duties less demanding. For it to last for long without clogging you need to know how to maintain it. Here are garbage disposal dos and don’ts:

Dos

Keep it clean: a dirty garbage disposal is not only unsightly, it’s also prone to clogging. When it clogs you have to hire a commercial garbage disposal service provider to unclog it for you. It’s easy to keep the appliance clean. All you need to do is pour dish soap inside the appliance and let it run for a minutes or so.

Run the appliance regularly: frequent use of the appliance prevents rust and corrosion. It also ensures that all parts are moving perfectly. Obstructions are also prevented from accumulating. If you don’t regularly use the appliance, you should run it at least once a day.

Grind hard material: fish bones, egg shells and small fruit pits create a scouring action inside the grind chamber thus cleaning the garbage disposal walls. This not only prevents corrosion and rusting, it also prevents accumulation of harmful materials.

For ideal results grind the materials with cold water. This is to solidify grease and oils that might have got into the unit. Once they solidify they are chopped before they reach the trap and clog it.

Schedule regular inspection: if you have a busy restaurant you most likely use the garbage disposal actively.

To ensure that your appliance is in top working condition hire a commercial garbage disposal maintenance professional to regularly visit your facility and inspect the garbage disposal. The professional should also fix any problems that it might be having.

Don’ts

Misuse your garbage disposal: the appliance is designed to run stress-free if you use it the right way. Unfortunately, many people don’t use the appliance the right way resulting into clogging.

To avoid calling a garbage disposal contractor every now and then, avoid misusing your appliance.

You should avoid dumping: plastics, metals, glass, cigarette butts, corn husks, onion skins, celery stalks, artichokes and any other items that can damage or clog the system.

Using chemicals: there are some business owners who think chemicals such as bleach and drain cleaners are ideal for cleaning their appliances. The chemicals result to blades and pipe damage thus you should avoid them.

Conclusion

You need to observe the above garbage disposal dos and don’ts to protect your appliance from grinding into a halt. To be certain that your appliance is in good working condition, ask a commercial garbage disposal contractor Falls Church to take a look at it.

The post Commercial Garbage Disposal Service: Garbage Disposal Dos And Don’ts first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair. The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair

Just like any other appliance in your place of work, you want to have a fully functioning oven. For it to continue working for long without requiring you to call a commercial appliances repair professional here are tips that you should follow:

Avoid covering the vents

Vents ensure that there is balanced heat circulation. This maintains even temperatures throughout the oven cabinet. Most of the affected vents are those at the bottom of the appliance. To avoid covering them, place the oven on an elevated surface.

Clean it correctly

As you know, the best and easiest way of ensuring that your appliance lasts for a long time without problems is cleaning the appliance regularly. When cleaning your oven take care that you don’t damage it in the process.

Never use abrasive cleaners as they scratch and abrase the appliance. Also avoid using cleaning products directly on the control panel. Before using the products always place them on a damp cloth.

If your appliance has a self-cleaning feature you have an opportunity of leaving your appliance sparkling clean without putting in any effort.

Adjust the cleaning cycles to anywhere between 2 and 3 hours. If you have been dusting the appliance, set it to clean itself for two hours. If you run a restaurant or cake baking business, the best time to self-clean the appliance is at night as this is the time that you aren’t busy.

Use it for the right role

While many people use ovens to bake, there are others that use them as heating sources. While the appliances give heat, they don’t have a blower to push heat.

Commercial oven repair contractors recommend that you leave your oven door open when the oven is on in order to save energy, but you shouldn’t do it with a gas oven. Leaving the gas oven running for long results to buildup of high levels of carbon monoxide. This puts your life at stake especially if you are working in a small area.

Be on the lookout for warning signs

If you have been around commercial appliances you might have noticed that few break down abruptly—most of them give you warning signs that something is wrong. These signs include: noise, high energy bills, and moisture.

When you notice even a minor sign, hire a commercial oven repair professional to inspect and fix the commercial appliance. This not only prevents you from halting your operations, it also saves you from hiring an expensive emergency oven contractor.

The post Commercial Oven Repair: 4 Ways Of Taking Care Of Your Oven first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair. The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair

Your dishwasher has one job: to turn a messy kitchen full of plates, bowls, cups, and utensils into a rack full of gleaming clean dishes. ​

More than half of the households in the United States with dishwashers use the equipment at least once a week, and there’s a strong probability that most are making some frequent blunders. ​ ​

To have an easy time with your appliance and ensure that it lasts for a long time, you need to avoid these frequent dishwasher blunders.

Avoiding the mistakes will also keep a dishwasher repair professional away, clean your dishes, and extend your appliance’s life. ​​

Failing to read the labels

Many people using their dishwasher for the first time have the impression that they can put anything inside. This is wrong as the dishwasher might end up harming your dishes instead of cleaning them. 

The drying cycle’s heat may harm wood utensils like cutting boards, making them crack or warp. The dishwasher will dull sharp knives and blades for food processors and other kitchen units. ​

Before using the dishwasher, ensure the item you put inside is safe. 

You should be cautious against putting stemware or other delicate glass in the dishwasher. The reason for this is that not only are the glasses at risk of breaking, but the broken glass can cause havoc on the equipment. ​A shard of glass could get caught in the pump and cause damage.

If any of the units you are looking to clean aren’t dishwasher safe, handwash them. 

Pre-rinsing the dishes

Avoid running a scrub brush across your plates before loading them into the dishwasher. Although 75% of homeowners admit to pre-rinsing their dishes, the habit can backfire, especially when you overdo it. ​

The soap you use needs to bind to little food bits and sauces. Food particles almost act as an abrasive to assist the soap in knocking loose [foods] that are a little more baked on. ​

Prerinsing eliminates food pieces, which might cause detergent to bond to the porous surfaces of the dishes instead, leaving a film on your plates. ​ ​

Skipping the rinse saves more than just time. Rinsing the dishes before filling the dishwasher uses up to 20 gallons of water — before you even turn on the machine. 

Even if the food is caked on, using the dishwasher’s rinse feature consumes significantly less water than rinsing the dishes under the faucet to soften and remove extra food. ​ ​

Instead of pre-rinsing the dishes, scrape off the extra food particles. 

Improper loading

How you load your dishwasher affects how it works and interferes with cleaning.

For the best outcome, you need to load your appliance properly. 

Put silverware in flatware baskets or racks; spoons and forks with the handles facing down. You should load the knives with the handles facing up to avoid blade injuries.

Plates and bowls belong on the bottom rack, while glasses and mugs go on top. Load your glasses between the tines of the rack, not on top of them. ​​

Putting the glasses over the tines can cause spotting or stress on the glass, and you could end up with broken glasses. ​ ​Spatulas, serving spoons, and other large utensils are best when hand-washed rather than placed on the top rack. ​

Water pressure will move the food items, and they can block the spray arm if they fall. And if something gets in the way, you’ll only be washing a handful of dishes for the duration of the cycle.

Putting detergent in the wrong place

Dishwasher detergent, powder or liquid, is placed in the dispenser, but there is considerable controversy about where to place detergent pods. ​

Many people think they should put the detergent pods into the bottom of the dishwasher rather than in the dispenser. This is wrong. 

The reason for this is that dishwashers have separate rinse and wash cycles. When you put the detergent pod in the bottom of the dishwasher, the soap is flushed down the drain before the wash cycle begins.

The best way to go about it is to check when the manufacturer recommends it. 

Overloading the dishwasher

Don’t approach your dishwasher like a Tetris game, stacking and balancing as many dishes as you can on the racks. This is because you often need more time to overload the machine. ​

Whenever you overload a dishwasher, you’ll first notice that your dishes will have a lot of soap scum or haze. 

This is because having too many dishes prevents them from receiving enough water flow to rinse them thoroughly.

To avoid overloading your appliance, consult the user handbook for your dishwasher. Dishwashers vary in capacity and layout, so it’s critical to understand what your unique model can handle.

When loading the dishwasher, use the dishwasher’s racks and compartments to distribute the dishes evenly. 

Place plates, pots, and pans on the bottom rack, while glasses, cups, and other smaller objects are on the top rack. Ensure that the sprayer arms on the dishwasher can freely revolve.

Ignoring the manual

There’s no disputing that information on dishwasher parts and features, as well as the filtration system, isn’t fascinating to read, but scanning the handbook — or at the very least keeping it available — is important. ​​

It’s an amazing resource for troubleshooting information, detergent and rinse agent recommendations, and phone numbers for service or advice. 

Have you already discarded the manual? You can get the manual online by entering the manufacturer’s name and model number. ​​

Find the manual and always use it whenever you doubt how to use the machine or fix an issue properly. 

Ignoring the filter

Most homeowners are unaware that their dishwasher has a filter, but it’s there. It’s under the dishwasher’s bottom rack and needs some cleaning. ​

Check the appliance manual for cleaning guidelines for your dishwasher filter. Then, take it out, rinse it with water, and clean it with a wire brush to remove any calcification before returning it. ​

It only takes a few seconds and will make your dishes cleaner. ​ 

Ignoring problems

Even the best-maintained appliances break down. Many homeowners ignore minor issues, which is wrong. This is because the minor issues worsen to the extent that the appliance stops working. 

To avoid this, you should keep your eyes out for the issues, even the smallest ones. If you don’t have the repair skills, get in touch with experienced appliance repair Alexandria professionals. 

Parting shot​

Reading the handbook, reconsidering how you load the dishwasher, where you put the detergent, and how you manage maintenance can improve the appearance of your dishes while also extending the life of your device. ​

Avoid the above mistakes, and you will be on your way to an optimal functioning appliance. 

The post Dishwasher Mistakes You Should Avoid Making first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair. The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair

The average refrigerator lasts between 10 and 15 years. There are some refrigerators that can last for over 20 years. However, your refrigerator will need to be repaired at some point. Refrigerator repair usually costs $200 to $300, but there are several factors that determine how much you have to pay.

What Factors Impact Refrigerator Repair Cost?

The Age of Your Refrigerator

If you have an older refrigerator, then you can expect to pay more to have the refrigerator repaired. Your refrigerator may have a part that needs to be replaced. It is much harder to find older parts, which is why you will have to pay more.

The Extent of the Damage

Minor problems are easier to repair. In fact, a technician may be able to repair a minor problem in less than an hour. However, it can take several hours to repair a major problem. Because there is more labor involved, you will have to pay more for a major repair.

The Refrigerator Brand

The type of refrigerator that you have will affect how much you have to spend on repairs. If you have a high-end brand, then your repair will likely cost more. High-end brands are more expensive, so the cost of replacing a damaged part will cost more.

How Much You Can Expect to Pay for Specific Types of Repairs

Gasket

If your refrigerator is not getting as cold as you would like it to be, then the problem may be caused by the gasket. The gasket may be letting the cold air go out of your refrigerator. It can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 to replace a gasket.

Thermostat

The thermostat is what controls how cold the refrigerator will get. If the thermostat is not working the way that it should, then the temperature of the refrigerator will fluctuate. Your food will end up spoiling. The cost of replacing a thermostat ranges from $200 to $400.

Compressor

The compressor is what helps regulate the flow of refrigerant. Your refrigerator cannot stay cool without the refrigerant. Unfortunately, if there is something wrong with your compressor, then you can expect to pay a lot of money to replace it. The cost ranges from $200 to $400.

Fan Motor

There are two fan motors in your refrigerator. One is located in the condenser, and the other is located in the freezer. Your refrigerator may get warm if the fan motors are not working the way that they should. Replacing a fan motor can cost anywhere from $200 to $250.

Defrost Heater

The defrost heater melts the ice off of the evaporator coils. It costs $100 to $200 to replace a defrost heater.

Is Repair or Replacement the Better Option?

In many cases, repair is the most cost-effective option. However, you may want to replace your refrigerator if it is old. You may also want to replace your refrigerator if the repair costs are more than half of what a new refrigerator will cost. Keep in mind that a new refrigerator costs between $1,000 and $3,000.

The post How Much Does Refrigerator Repair Cost? appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

When it comes to maintaining kitchen cleanliness, garbage disposal becomes incredibly handy. Disposals prevent the rotting of food debris in landfills by grinding food particles into tiny pieces. A disposal that does not function properly affects kitchen upkeep and cleaning.

Repairing a faulty garbage disposal may be as simple as pushing the reset button and restarting it again. But when this does not work, more problems that need garbage disposal repair may have occurred, ranging from disposal jams to faulty seals, electrical system issues, and poor pipe connections.

Safety Reminder

Do not put your hand inside the garbage disposal. You can easily harm yourself on the sharp disposal blades. Instead, turn off or unplug the disposal, then use a pair of pliers to remove debris.

How to Fix Common Garbage Disposal Problems

There are common garbage disposal problems that homeowners face from time to time. Conducting a quick garbage disposal repair can prevent potentially costly plumbing issues.
1. Garbage Disposal Fails to Work at All

If you turn the garbage disposal switch on and nothing happens, you should try two things. First, push the reset button at the bottom of the garbage disposal and check if it fixes the issue. If this fails, check whether the circuit breaker tripped. Usually, the fix involves unplugging the disposal and checking the problem.

Step 1: Unplug the disposal to avoid accidents.
Step 2: Reach the breaker box and electric outlet to confirm if the electric wire popped out. Once you confirm the plugging is okay, you can firmly press the button and wait a few minutes before turning the disposal on in case it had overheated.
Step 3: Test the disposal outlet, then press the reset button to address any issues caused by hamming or overloading.
Step 4: If the disposal fails to work, check the switch and wiring system for any loose connection. You can flip the switch to rectify the potential electric problems.

2 How to Adress Garbage Disposal Water Leaks

Garbage disposal leaks can cause pest infestations, mold growth, warped cabinets, or foul smell. A leak at the top may mean that the sink flange is worn out and can no longer keep the seal. When the internal disposal seals burst, they are likely to cause a leak from the bottom of the unit. Leaks should be dealt with early enough to prevent damage.

Step 1: Turn off the disposal from the power source.
Step 2: Do not forget to place a pail under the sink to avoid leaking water on the floor.
Step 3: Loosen the screws typing the disposal garbage to the drain.
Step 4: Hold the flange about the sink and remove the old putty, then the flange tightly to its position.
Step 5: Re-adjust all the mounting bolts and reinstall the disposal and its plug.
Step 6: Plug on the disposal, then run cold water and turn on the disposal to test if there are any more leaks.

3. How to Fix Jammed Garbage Disposal

Basically, a garbage disposal operates at the center of a motor and a grinding chamber. In the chamber, there is a flywheel and a ring that grind food and push it down the drain. If the disposal is on and you hear a loud humming without the blades spinning, there might be jamming. This may mean solid objects like steel wool or food waste logged in the flywheel.

Step 1: Turn off the power to the garbage disposal unit.
Step 2: Insert a disposal wrench into the flywheel, which is found on the bottom of the disposal.
Step 3: To clear the jam, turn the wrench back and forth. Keep on the wrench motion until all the blades “free up.”
Step 4: Turn the disposal power back on and push the reset button
Step 5: Run water to test if there is no more humming.

4. How to Clear Clogged Disposal

If you use insufficient water or the wrong type of food when grinding, you can cause a clog in the drain trap. A clog may also occur when large amounts of food are ground at a time. If you don’t clear the clog immediately, then a clog may develop in a different area of the drain, resulting in expensive garbage disposal repair costs.

Step 1: Turn off the power to the garbage disposal.
Step 2: Make sure there is a large pail to drain any debris clogged inside the unit.
Step 3: Check inside the disposal drain for the cause of blade obstruction.
Step 4: Use a pair of long pliers to remove the obstruction in the drain hole. Push the pliers up and down the drain until you clear all debris.
Step 5: Clean out the clog, then reconnect the sink and run water.
Step 6: Turn on the disposer after plugging in.

The post How Hard Is It to Fix a Garbage Disposal? appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

Freezers play an important role in food storage. Many fresh foods have a limited shelf life. The time required to prepare many foods can be difficult for families and individuals to accomplish all at once. Freezers provide the ultimate convenience and are essential in any kitchen. But are they worth repairing when they malfunction?

Repair Costs

It can cost nearly $700 to repair a freezer on the high end. In most cases, the average freezer repair costs ring in at $350. Repair businesses know that homeowners will ditch their freezers and just buy a new one if the repair costs are too high.

A brand-new upright refrigerator can be bought for $700. And a chest freezer can be found even cheaper at $600 fully installed. When compared to the unknown costs of repairing an old freezer, it is no wonder why many homeowners simply buy a new freezer when they fail.

Understanding How Freezers Work

Freezers work by pumping liquid refrigerant through an expansion value. As the liquid atomizes and expands into a gas in the expansion coils, it experiences a reactionary temperature drop that cools air blowing off the metal coils.

The gas then runs through condenser coils where it condenses back into a liquid. The cycle continues over and over until the cold temperatures trigger a stop signal in the thermostat.

The thermostat sends a signal to the control board that then switches off the compressor until natural environmental factors raise the internal temperature of the freezer and signal for renewed cooling.

Common Freezer Failures

There is no need to replace your freezer if you are able to diagnose it properly. Sometimes, the fixes are simple and can save substantial money. The most expensive repairs involve replacement of the pricey components, such as compressor, control board, or thermostat.

Water Pooling and Freezing

If your freezer is just building up ice at the bottom and pooling water, you can save a lot on repairs by locating the defrost drain tube and pouring hot water down it. Sometimes the water in this defrost tube freezes and clogs the tube, leading to excess water and ice.

Completely Inoperable

If your freezer won’t turn on at all, it could be the power cord, socket, or circuit breaker. You can try plugging your freezer into another outlet and ensuring that the cord is not damaged before you look deeper. If the problem isn’t obvious, consider whether a thunderstorm or power outage may have damaged internal components.

The freezer light should come on even if other components have failed. If the freezer light doesn’t come on, then you know the problem is not the failure of a particular component. Instead, there is likely a problem with the wiring connecting the plug to the freezer or a short in the main power supply of the freezer.

Freezer is Not Staying Cold

As we know, the compressor should turn on when the thermostat signals the control board that the temperatures are too warm. If the freezer is not staying cold, the signal is getting lost somewhere in this chain.

In older freezers, there is also a greater likelihood that the refrigerant has leaked out and is no longer cooling properly. The rubber seals and hoses that hold in the refrigerant leak over time and can compromise the functionality of the entire system.

Check the hoses and seal joints for white chalky powder, indicative of leaking refrigerant. But never try to replace hoses or seals on your own. The refrigerant gas is stored under high pressure and can cause serious injury if the fittings are loosened without professionally evacuating the system first.

Loud Noises

If your freezer is emanating loud noises, this is likely a problem with the compressor or the cooling fan. These components rotate at high speeds and can vibrate loudly when the bearings are bad and parts are worn.

Conclusion

Freezers are not that complicated. You can save yourself money when you understand how they work by pinpointing the defect. Purchasing an extended warranty when you buy a new freezer can save you from the headaches. Calling a repair shop to check out your freezer every so many years and give it a tune up is a smart idea.

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It’s imperative to keep your refrigerator in perfect working condition to keep food and other un-edible items fresh. Although, it’s recommended that you hire a commercial refrigerator professional to fix the appliance when it breaks down, you don’t have to hire the professional every time. Here are simple refrigerator problems that you can fix without the help of a contractor:

Always running refrigerator

A refrigerator that is always running not only makes a lot of noise, it also consumes a lot of power thus you end up paying hefty power bills. The most common cause for this problem is deposition of dust and debris around the condenser.

According to refrigerator contractors, this problem is common when you place the refrigerator in dusty areas.

The problem is also common when you set the refrigerator temperature too low. This causes the appliance to work overtime. The appliance can also freeze food and in severe cases spoil food.

To fix the problem you should get rid of dirt and debris in the condenser coils. In most refrigerators, condenser coils are located at the bottom of the appliance. You should use a vacuum cleaner to remove the buildup.

You may also be required to set the temperature to prevent your refrigerator from working overtime. You set the temperature to between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water leakage

Water leakage is a common problem that you can easily fix. According to commercial refrigerator technicians, the problem results from a blocked defrost drain. This happens when food particles or other debris clog up the drain hose resulting to breaking up of ice and water leakage from the freezer and refrigerator.

The problem can also come about due to frozen or clogged water supply lines. This affects ice production from the ice maker and water flow tends to stop.

To fix the problem, you should locate the rubber check valve located on the defrost drain hose. You should remove the valve and then clean it with hot water and soap.

If this doesn’t fix the problem, you should locate the shut-off valve located under the sink behind the refrigerator. You should carefully go through it and ensure that it’s fully closed.

Conclusion

These are two of the most common refrigerator problems that you can fix without the need of hiring a refrigerator repair contractor Fairfax. Although, you don’t have to hire a contractor, it’s wise that you hire him/her if you have tried fixing the problem and it doesn’t go away.

The post Commercial Refrigerators Services: Refrigerator Problems You Can Fix By Yourself first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair. The post appeared first on Express Appliance Repair