Your walk-in cooler stops working at 2 PM on a Friday. You’ve got prep for the dinner rush. Food is sitting out. This is what typically scares restaurant owners to death. A broken refrigerator is not just a simple nuisance. It is something that takes away your productivity, puts your staff under pressure, and can even stop your business very quickly.
The problem is knowing when something needs actual repair versus when you can limp along for another week. Sometimes the signs sneak up on you. If you own a restaurant, you need a Frontier Refrigeration commercial refrigeration company you can trust when things go wrong.
The Noise That Shouldn’t Be There
Your walk-in used to hum quietly in the background. Now it’s making grinding sounds or weird clicking noises. That’s not normal. Different sounds indicate different issues, but in general, these are not good problems. A grinding sound is often associated with the compressor overworking.
Clicking can be the thermostat that is overheating. Regardless, your device is operating more than it should be. This is one of those moments when a fridge still works, but people neglect the warning signs that it is on its way to breaking down. But waiting just means the problem gets worse and more expensive to fix.
Temperature Swings
You check the temp gauge, and it’s bouncing around. One hour it reads 35 degrees. Next hour it’s 42. It is not your employees’ job to babysit a refrigerator. That fluctuation of temperature indicates that your compressor is turning on and off too frequently. Your food is not stored at a hygienic temperature. You could be looking at spoilage without even realizing it. Inconsistent cooling is a red flag that something inside the unit needs attention.
Frost Building Up Inside
Ice accumulation on the walls is not a problem but a symptom. Generally, it is caused by a faulty defrost cycle. Usually, it means the defrost cycle isn’t working right. Frost keeps building because moisture keeps freezing instead of draining out as it should. Your unit has to work harder to maintain temperature when there’s frost blocking airflow. This one’s easy to spot, but people put it off, thinking a good defrost will solve it. Sometimes it does. Sometimes you need actual repair work.
The Fan Won’t Shut Up
The fan that circulates cold air should not sound like a jet taking off. If it is getting louder or it is running all the time, then there is a problem. The fan could be misaligned, and the motor is going bad. The loud noise indicates that the machine is pushing its limits. That extra strain adds up over time and leads to bigger problems.
Condensation And Leaks Around The Unit
Water that collects under your cooler is one of the easiest ways to tell that something is not draining properly. It may be that there is a blockage in the drain line. It may be that the drain line is blocked. It might be a problem with the evaporator coil.
In either case, that water has to come from somewhere, and it should definitely not be on your floor. Leaks are also a source of mold and mildew, which brings on completely different types of problems.
When To Call For Help?
You don’t have to be some kind of skilled technician to realize something’s wrong. The majority of restaurant owners can tell when their machinery is not functioning properly. The unit sounds weird. The temperature doesn’t feel right. You’re spending more time thinking about your cooler than running your kitchen.
Then it’s time to call for help. A Frontier Refrigeration Commercial Refrigeration Company can diagnose what’s happening and tell you straight whether it needs a quick fix or a larger repair. Don’t wait until you’re dumping food in the trash. Get ahead of it.
