If you have frozen freezer coils, it’s important to have
them checked as soon as possible to prevent damage to other parts of the
freezer.
Problems with the
Defrost System
There are many possible reasons that your freezer’s coils
have too much frost or have frozen -- many are related to your freezer’s
defrost system. Contact an expert
appliance repair company to assess the problem and find the cause. With a
quick repair or replacement part, your freezer will be working efficiently in
no time at all.
A common problem with freezers is too much frost on the
evaporator coils. This usually happens when the defrost heater stops defrosting
the frost on the coils. Normally, the defrost heater will turn on repeatedly
during the day to ensure that no frost builds up on the evaporator coils. A
malfunctioning defrost heater will need to be replaced.
The defrost timer is another likely culprit if you have
extra frosty freezer coils. This timer turns on the defrost heater to keep the
evaporator coils frost-free. When it doesn’t work, your freezer won’t go through
its normal defrost cycle, resulting in frozen freezer coils. This part cannot be
repaired and will have to be replaced by your appliance repair
professional.
Another important part of your freezer’s defrost system is
the defrost thermostat. This is the important part that sense when the defrost
heater needs to warm the evaporator coils. It normally turns on when the coils
reach a temperature of less than 30°F. If the defrost thermostat doesn’t turn
the defrost heater on at the right time, your freezer’s coils will begin to
build up frost. The defrost thermostat is another part that needs to be totally
replaced if defective.
If you suspect there’s a problem with your freezer’s defrost
system, call an appliance repair company and try to schedule a same-day appliance repair.
It should be easy if you live in Toronto or the GTA. If you can repair the
freezer within hours, the money you save by avoiding spoiled meat and other
frozen food may offset the extra cost of an emergency repair service.
A Defective Door
Gasket
The problem could be as simple as a torn or worn door
gasket. The door gasket creates a seal around your freezer’s door so air
doesn’t escape from the freezer. Once it becomes unreliable and doesn’t hold
the door shut, humidity can begin to build in the freezer. This is a problem
for your freezer coils since that air condenses as it passes over the coils and
that condensation freezes on the coils.
You can quickly test to see if this is your freezer’s
problem by placing a paper dollar bill along the seal. Close the door and try
to pull the bill out. If it slides out, your freezer door gasket needs to be
replaced.
There are many reasons why your freezer may have frozen
freezer coils so it’s important to have an expert look at your freezer’s
defrost system and other parts to assess the situation.