Exploring Newer Features for Heating and Cooling Systems

Why Is There Ice Buildup on Your Refrigerator?

8 December 2020

Jessie Nichols

If you're a business that relies on your commercial refrigeration system to protect inventory or hold foods for a long period of time, then you already know how important this piece of machinery can be. Ice buildup, though not directly affecting the products themselves, can still be a sign that something is wrong with your unit and requires immediate attention. Fortunately, diagnosing the issue can be done without contacting a professional, but if there are any questions, call a contractor to schedule a commercial refrigerator repair service.

Check the Seal

Ice usually occurs closest to the point where a break in the seal exists. If a piece of food has become lodged in the doorway, or part of the rubber stripping is damaged, it can create a tiny gap allows the warm air from outside to rush in and mix with the cold air inside and create condensation, which can cause ice to form. Look for where the ice is built up on the refrigerator and see if you can spot any potential damage that may exist in the seal and patch it up.

Check the Drainpipe

Most refrigerators have a drainpipe in or near the back of the system to allow for water that has appeared from condensation to drip out of the unit. Almost anything can clog up this pipe, such as stray food particles, dirt, or even a piece of ice itself. If it's clogged, then the water will have nowhere else to go and will continue to build up inside the system and eventually freeze over. You can chip away at it regularly, or you can dislodge the drainpipe and allow the ice to melt and drop out of the unit.

Check the Thermostat

It sounds simple, but it's always surprising how many people schedule a commercial refrigerator repair service when the issue is as simple as adjusting the thermostat. If you've checked, and the thermostat is set at the right temperature, then it may be malfunctioning instead. A thermostat that can't detect the correct temperature inside the unit, for instance, may keep the compressor running constantly in an attempt to drop the temperature, which can cause massive ice buildup. This creates a problem for your inventory, as too low of a temperature can damage goods permanently.

Check the Compressor

Your compressor is responsible for sending the cold air throughout the refrigerator, so if it's not working, you can have ice all over your refrigerator that shouldn't be there. Unfortunately, this does require a service call, so contact a professional in your area that handles commercial refrigeration services and have them take a look.

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