Walk in Freezer Repair Tips

You may not think about your walk-in coolers and freezers often, but they are critical to your business success. Emergency repairs can be costly, not to mention the potential loss of perishables.

Often malfunctions could have been minimized or prevented with proper maintenance. Proactive walk-in cooler and freezer maintenance schedules ensure prolonged operation of refrigeration equipment.

Walk in freezer preventive maintenance

Always keep the cooler or freezer clean. Soap and water are the best methods; harsh chemicals may harm the metal surfaces. Sweep or mop surrounding floors and keep free of debris. Make sure to clean up any spills immediately to prevent dangerous freezing.

Routinely clean evaporator fan coils and blades. Schedule a quarterly cleaning and be sure to inspect them for damage as well; replace as needed.

Inspect door seals and hinges quarterly. Make sure hinges are lubricated quarterly and that seals are they are closing properly. Do not prop the door open for extended periods and make sure that the door is always closed (except when entering or exiting of course).

Check condensing unit for proper operation. Always keep the areas around your evaporators and condensing units clear to ensure proper airflow. Do not allow trash or other debris to accumulate around the walk-in.

Monitor temperatures daily. Fluctuations can be an indicator that something is not working properly.

Talk with your refrigeration technician about setting up a scheduled maintenance program. Scheduling routine upkeep will ensure that equipment is working as it should be. A refrigeration technician should know what signs of wear and tear to look for. Early detection could make a huge difference and prevent costly emergency situations.

Maintained walk-in coolers and freezers function better. Because of this, they operate more efficiently than a cooler that is not maintained, which in turn means less money spent on bills. Its better to get help for you walk in freezer repair

Refrigeration is just one of the important pieces to your successful business operations. Since refrigeration is often forgotten about, it is a good idea to make calendar appointments with yourself or your staff as a reminder of the importance in maintaining a working system.

Common Walk in Freezer problems

A BUILD-UP OF FROST

If you notice a build-up of frost in your commercial walk-in freezer it could mean that the temperatures inside aren’t stable. This not only causes items to melt and refreeze again, making them unsafe for consumption, but is also an indication that humidity levels are causing excess condensation in your freezer. A build-up of frost by the freezer doors is also an indication that the freezer seals aren’t stopping warm air from leaking inside. If you check your gaskets and find there is damage, this will need to be fixed by a professional as soon as possible. On the other hand, if you are experiencing continual frost build-up problems with your walk-in freezer and can’t see any signs of damage that may be causing it, you’ll need to have a professional inspection to identify the issue.

INCONSISTENT TEMPERATURES

A build-up of frost isn’t the only indicator of inconsistent temperatures in your walk-in freezer. If you find that the temperature of your freezer is constantly changing without due cause, it could well be the work of a faulty sensor that is fluctuating and causing problems. It could also simply be an indication of bad staff habits. If the freezer doors are left open for too long or aren’t being closed properly, this will affect how well the freezer can regulate the temperature, making it work harder and wearing it out quicker. This can lead to costly replacements being needed sooner, affecting your bottom line. If you are confident that your walk-in freezer is being used properly and you are still experiencing inconsistent temperatures, it’s time to call a professional to get it looked at.

STALE SMELLS

Another common problem for walk-in freezers is a lingering or fluctuating stale smells. Some smells may well be caused by what is being stored, while other stale smells could be an indicator that products are defrosting and not freezing as they should, another indicator of faulty temperature control. However, the most common cause of stale smells in walk-in freezers is a coolant leak. If your condenser is old it may be worn out or malfunctioning and in need of replacement. Or there may be a fault in a component that is causing coolant to leak. Getting an inspection is a good way to identify the cause of stale smells in your walk-in freezer.

NOISY FREEZERS

An obvious sign of mechanical problems are noisy freezers. While most walk-in freezers will have some sort of hum, anything louder or inconsistent is a sure sign that your cooler is malfunctioning. A struggling cooler will need professional inspection and repair from a technician who can identify exactly what the problem is and what the best steps are to take to get your freezer back up and running properly.

LEAKING WATER

One of the most common problems seen in walk-in freezers is leaking water. This is obviously a serious problem as freezers that leak water clearly aren’t working correctly. Faulty or old insulation can cause temperatures to drop in your freezer and stop it from working effectively. Damaged seals are also a cause of leaking water in your walk-in freezer. Broken freezer seals can cause warm air to leak inside and drop temperatures. Not only does this overwork your freezer but it can lead to dangerous mould that is a serious health hazard to staff and contaminate your customers.