Maintenance · Fridge & freezer
How to keep your fridge and freezer running
Most fridge repairs we do in Ottawa start with heat the fridge couldn't shed or air it couldn't move: a dusty condenser, a gasket that stopped sealing, a vent packed with groceries. Half an hour twice a year prevents most of them.
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- Free diagnosticwhen you go ahead with the repair
The checklist
| Task | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum the condenser coils | Twice a year, more with pets | Pull the front grille (or move the fridge) and vacuum the coils and fan area. A clogged condenser makes the compressor run hot and long, which is the most common reason a fridge runs constantly and the start relay fails early. |
| Check the door gaskets | Every season | Close the door on a sheet of paper; if it slides out with no resistance, the seal is gone at that spot. Clean the gasket with mild soapy water and check the hinges aren't letting the door sag. |
| Set the right temperatures | Once, then verify | 4 °C in the fridge, −18 °C in the freezer, checked with a thermometer in a glass of water on the middle shelf. Colder than that costs electricity and ices up the drain. |
| Keep the vents clear | Every grocery run | The cold air enters the fridge through a vent at the back of the freezer wall. Packages pressed against it block airflow and the fridge warms up while the freezer stays cold. |
| Change the water filter | Every 6 months | A spent filter restricts water to the ice maker and dispenser, giving small or hollow cubes and a slow dispenser long before anything fails. |
| Clear the defrost drain | Yearly, or when water appears | Water under the crisper drawers almost always means the drain at the back of the freezer has iced over or clogged. A turkey baster of warm water clears a mild blockage. |
| Leave room at the back | When you move it | Most fridges need the clearance the manual asks for behind and above them. Built in tight, they can't shed heat and run far longer than designed. |
Signs it's past maintenance
- Fridge warm, freezer cold
- Runs all the time or is louder than it was
- Frost on the back wall of the freezer
- Water under the drawers
- Ice maker slow or jammed
If you're seeing any of these, maintenance won't fix it. Book a visit: the diagnostic is free when you go ahead with the repair.
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