If you own a restaurant or any other commercial business, you would know that a walk-in freezer is among the most crucial elements of your business. If something was to go wrong, you will simply end up wasting your money and all the expensive stored food items. Therefore, let’s discuss some common walk-in freezer problems and how you can perform common commercial refrigerators repairs the right way.
Frost Buildup
One of the most common problems with walk-in freezers is frost buildup. Since these machines function on a 24/7 basis, it is not surprising for them to experience ice accumulation or buildup. However, the problem with ice buildup is that it could impede the performance of the unit.
If you observe frost buildup on your unit, you should know that temperatures inside are not stable. This not only means the items inside will melt and refreeze again, which makes them unsafe for consumption but also an indication that the humidity levels are causing excessive condensation in the freezer.
In addition to that, if you notice frost buildup on the doors of the freezer, it might indicate the fact that the doors are not sealing properly. Restaurant freezers come with seals and gaskets that prevent outside air from entering inside. If the seals or gaskets weaken over time, it could cause cool air to escape and outdoor air to sneak inside leading to unstable temperatures.
In this case, you will need to consult a professional who will run a thorough inspection and determine the root cause of the problem.
Inconsistent Temperatures
Frost buildup is not always a sign of inconsistent temperatures in your walk-in freezer. If you observe that your freezer is constantly changing temperatures without any reason whatsoever, it means a sensor has gone bad or is about to go bad.
Furthermore, it could also be due to bad staff habits, keeping the doors open for longer periods and not ensuring if they are closed properly. This could also imbalance the temperature, causing the unit to struggle with maintaining the desired temperature.
In the long run, the freezer will continue utilizing more electricity than usual to compensate for the loss of cool air. This will burden the vital components and might lead to expensive replacements down the road.
Stale Smells
Another common problem among walk-in freezers is stale smells. It might come and go or linger but can surely be frustrating. Stale smells are usually caused by what is being stored, while in some cases it could be an indicator that food items are defrosting and are not freezing.
Additionally, it could be a faulty temperature control as well. Above all that, the most common reason for stale smells in walk-in freezers is coolant leaks. It might be that the condenser has malfunctioned and needs to be replaced. Plus, there could be a crack or minor damage somewhere that is causing leakage.
Noisy Freezers
If you own an older walk-in freezer, do not be surprised if it becomes noisy at some point. Unusual noises are usually a sign of mechanical failure. While most walk-in freezers will simply produce a humming sound while functioning, which is normal but if you hear a grinding or squeaking noise, you will need to get down to fixing it immediately.
That said, a struggling freezer will require professional inspection since it is not a do-it-yourself kind of a job. You need to find out exactly what the problem is so that your business can run without any complications in the future.
Leaking Water
Walk-in freezers tend to leak water at some point, which indicates something is not working the way it should be. For instance, damaged seals, and old or faulty insulation can cause water leakage in your walk-in freezer. As a result, you will need to be quick to fix the issue. If the problem is ignored, the water leakage may damage other components, permanently damaging the unit in some cases.
Final Word
In the end, diagnosing walk-in freezer problems is both simple and complicated at times. However, you should make sure to regularly maintain the unit to keep it running effortlessly. And if there comes a time when you face a complicated situation, do not hesitate to consult a walk in cooler repair Northern VA technician.
