Refrigerators are a common reason for water damage starting from inside the home. Fridges like to die slowly on you, leaving small leaks during the process. These small leaks can turn into major water damages in your home if they are not found soon, something we have learned the hard way.
Leaks can come from water-supply connections, a blocked drain, or other repairable problems; they do not always mean the refrigerator has failed. These eight warning signs can help you decide when to arrange maintenance.
Signs of a failing refrigerator
We all dread coming home to a warm fridge, wasting hundreds of dollars on food. What’s worse is having to then spend thousands on a new fridge, and thousands on water damage restoration for anything the failing refrigerator destroyed while you were gone.
Below are some signs of a slowly failing, failing refrigerator so you can catch yours before disaster happens
1. You have had your fridge for a decade
Refrigerators usually have a lifespan of ten to twenty years, if you are lucky. If you have had your fridge for a decade, it usually is a good idea to have a maintenance check, to ensure there are no problems with the unit that could cause damage in the future.
2. There are temperature inconsistencies
Use an appliance thermometer rather than judging by touch. The FDA recommends a refrigerator temperature of 40°F or below and a freezer temperature of 0°F. If temperatures are outside the proper range, follow the manufacturer’s troubleshooting advice and food-safety guidance.
3. Premature Food Spoilage
If you start to notice the food in your fridge going bad long before their expiry date, your fridge may be struggling to maintain a consistent temperature. Even small fluctuations in temperature can shorten the lifespan of groceries and typically signal something is off internally.
4. Excess frost develops in the freezer
Unusual frost buildup can indicate problems with a door seal, airflow, or the defrost system. Freezer burn alone does not prove the freezer is too cold. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or ask an appliance technician to check the cause.
5. You Notice Condensation and Leaks
If a refrigerator is starting to fail, condensation can start to pool around doors and underneath the unit. Unexplained water near your fridge should never be ignored; even a small leak can ruin your floors and cabinets.
6. The Refrigerator’s Light is Always On
Remember trying to catch whoever turned on the fridge light whenever we opened the fridge? If they started taking days off, and the fridge light stayed on even when the door was closed, that would indicate a problem. A faulty switch or a door sealing issue may be at play, which could lead to temperature inconsistencies.
7. Your fridge is loud and rattly
Refrigerators periodically make little humming noises, which is a good sign the fridge is working. However, if your fridge is too loud, and if it rattles, something is off. Your fridge’s motor could be going into overdrive.
On the flip side, if your fridge is unnaturally quiet, especially if it shows other problem signs, it could also indicate trouble.
If this happens, it would be good to schedule maintenance or to replace your fridge, before water damage happens.
- 8. Take a Look at Your Electricity Bill
A failing refrigerator usually has to work much, much harder. When paying your bills, if you notice an unexplainable increase in your electricity bill, you may want to inspect your fridge.
Don’t Let Your Fridge Quietly Fail on You
Besides ruining your food and being noisy, a slowly failing refrigerator can cause major water damage seemingly overnight. The sooner you catch your fridge failing, the better it will be for you and your home.
Of course, if the unexpected does happen, our IICRC certified technicians are here, waiting for your call, so they can offer you premium water damage restoration services.
