Commercial Refrigerator Repair

This is the most urgent call we handle on commercial refrigeration. A unit that stops cooling usually has one of four failures. Dirty condenser coils block heat transfer, and a failed evaporator fan motor stops cold air circulation. A defrost failure lets frost block the evaporator coils entirely, and a failing compressor can no longer maintain system pressure.

A faulty thermostat or temperature sensor feeding incorrect data to the control board produces the same symptom with the unit appearing to run normally. We measure actual temperature and system pressure before recommending any repair. Book online to schedule a diagnosis.

A cooler that won’t get down to the required 40°F or below is a food safety violation and a health inspection risk. When a unit runs constantly but never reaches safe temperature, the most likely causes are dirty condenser coils or a refrigerant leak in the sealed system. A partially failed compressor that runs but can no longer reach rated pressure does the same.

A TXV (thermostatic expansion valve) failure causes the same symptom on systems where this component controls refrigerant flow. A unit that can’t hold temperature is a health code issue: don’t defer this call.

Units that swing between temperatures instead of holding steady point to a thermostat that cycles incorrectly or a failing temperature sensor sending inconsistent readings. A defrost heater that runs too often and warms the cabinet on each cycle causes the same swings. On glass door merchandisers, a damaged door gasket that allows warm air infiltration is one of the most common causes of temperature instability. If the temperature swings and you can see frost building on the back wall, that confirms a defrost system fault.

Water inside the cabinet or on the floor almost always comes from a clogged drain pan or blocked defrost drain line. In high-use commercial environments, food debris, grease, and ice accumulate in the drain faster than in residential units. A cracked drain pan is a secondary cause.

Water pooling under the unit externally points to the drain line outlet being blocked or disconnected. On every leak call we clear and flush the full drain system and test for recurrence.

A door that doesn’t seal wastes energy, raises cabinet temperature, and accelerates defrost system wear from warm air infiltration. The most common cause is a worn door gasket that no longer creates a complete seal. On reach-in units with heavy traffic, door hinge wear causes the door to sag and prevents full closure.

A door that closes but doesn’t latch on glass door merchandisers typically means a failed magnetic gasket or a misaligned door frame. Door gasket replacement is a routine repair on all major commercial refrigerator brands.

Reach-in coolers are the commercial refrigeration units we service most often. Reach-in coolers in restaurant kitchens run 24 hours a day and accumulate wear faster than any other refrigeration unit. Most common issues: door gasket wear from constant opening, evaporator fan motor failure, condenser coils clogged with kitchen grease, and defrost heater burnout.