Refrigerator, Freezer & Ice Maker Repair

Refrigerator problems we fix

We work on top-freezer, bottom-freezer, side-by-side and French-door refrigerators, plus standalone freezers, from most major brands such as Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, GE and Bosch.

Not cooling, or warm in the fresh-food section

This is the most common refrigerator complaint. If the freezer is still cold but the fridge is warm, the usual suspects are a failed evaporator fan motor, which moves cold air from the freezer into the fridge, or a defrost problem that has let ice choke off the airflow. If both sections are warm, we look at the condenser fan, dirty condenser coils, the start relay and compressor, and the control board. We test before replacing anything, so you pay for the part that actually failed.

Frost or ice building up in the freezer

Heavy frost on the back wall of the freezer usually points to the automatic defrost system: a defrost heater, defrost thermostat or defrost control. Frost around the door edge suggests a torn or loose door gasket letting humid Houston air in.

Water on the floor or under the crisper drawers

A clogged defrost drain is a frequent cause, and it often shows up as a sheet of ice under the crisper drawers first. Other sources include a cracked water filter housing, a loose supply line behind the fridge, or a failing water inlet valve.

Loud buzzing, clicking or rattling

Fan motors with worn bearings, ice hitting a fan blade, or a compressor that clicks on and off without running can all be diagnosed from the sound and a few tests.

Ice maker and water dispenser repair

Ice makers fail for a handful of reasons: a frozen fill tube, a failed water inlet valve, low water pressure, a clogged water filter, or a worn ice maker module. Hard water adds mineral scale to valves and small passages, which is one reason ice makers around Houston can slow down over time. If you have a slow or dead ice maker, try this first:

• Make sure the ice maker's shutoff arm or switch is in the "on" position.
• Check that the freezer is actually cold. Most ice makers need the freezer near 0°F to cycle.
• Replace the water filter if it is past due. A clogged filter restricts flow to both the dispenser and the ice maker.
• Look for a thin ice plug in the fill tube where water enters the ice maker.

If none of that helps, we can test the valve, the module and the controls.

What you can do right now

• Check the temperature setting. The U.S. FDA recommends keeping the refrigerator at or below 40°F and the freezer at 0°F.
• Listen and look. Is the condenser fan (usually near the bottom rear) running? Is the light on? That tells us whether the unit has power and whether the cooling system is trying.
• Clear the vents. Overpacked shelves can block the air vents between the freezer and fridge.
• Protect your food. Keep the doors closed. A closed refrigerator generally keeps food safe for about 4 hours without cooling, and a full freezer longer. Move essentials to a cooler with ice if the repair will take time.

Please don't chip ice off the evaporator with a knife or screwdriver. Puncturing the refrigerant tubing turns a simple defrost repair into a sealed-system repair.

Garage refrigerators in Houston

Many homes in Katy, Fulshear and Cypress keep a second refrigerator or freezer in the garage. In summer, a garage can get far hotter than a kitchen, and many refrigerators aren't designed for that. They run constantly, the compressor wears faster, and some models even let the freezer warm up because the thermostat is confused by the heat. Check your owner's manual for the approved room-temperature range, keep the coils clean, and leave a few inches of space around the unit for airflow.

Repair or replace?

Fans, defrost parts, valves, thermostats, gaskets, relays and many control boards are very repairable. Repairs on the sealed system (the compressor, evaporator or refrigerant leaks) cost more, and on an older refrigerator replacement can be the smarter choice. After diagnosis we will give you the price and our honest opinion, and you decide.

Keeping coils clean and gaskets sealing is part of our preventive maintenance visits. Getting a new refrigerator with a water line? See appliance installation.