Fridge and Freezer Repair in Cape Town and Gqeberha

Fridge and freezer faults we fix

Not cooling, or not cold enough

The most urgent fault. Causes include a failed evaporator or condenser fan, a faulty thermostat or temperature sensor, a defrost system that has failed and let ice block the airflow, a starter relay that cannot start the compressor, a gas leak or a failed compressor. We test each system to find the real cause.

Freezer working, fridge warm

Very common in frost-free fridges. Cold air is made in the freezer section and blown into the fridge. If the defrost system fails, ice builds up and blocks the air passage, so the freezer stays cold but the fridge warms up. Sometimes the fan has failed.

Icing up

Thick ice on the back wall of the freezer or fridge points to a defrost heater, timer, thermostat or sensor fault in frost-free models, or a worn door seal letting warm, moist air in.

Water leaking

Water under the fridge or pooling inside is usually a blocked defrost drain. In fridges with ice makers or water dispensers, a leaking water line or valve.

Running nonstop

A dirty condenser coil, a worn door seal, low gas or a faulty thermostat. A fridge that never stops running wastes electricity and wears out the compressor.

Clicking, but not running

A click every few minutes with no hum usually means the starter relay or overload is trying to start the compressor and failing. Switch the fridge off and call us, as repeated attempts can damage the compressor.

Noisy

Fan motors, compressor mounts or ice build-up touching the fan blades.

Not working after a power cut

Surge damage to the control board, sensor, relay or compressor. Very common in our area after years of load shedding.

Types of fridges and freezers we repair

• Single and double-door fridges
• Fridge-freezers with top or bottom freezers
• Side-by-side and French-door fridges
• Fridges with ice makers and water dispensers
• Built-in and integrated fridges
• Chest freezers and upright freezers
• Bar fridges and wine coolers

How a repair visit works

1. Tell us what is happening. Call or WhatsApp with the symptoms and a photo of the model sticker, usually inside the fridge on a side wall. 2. Protect your food. Keep the doors closed as much as possible. Move essentials to a cooler box with ice if needed. 3. Diagnosis. We test the fans, defrost system, thermostat, relay and compressor, and check for gas leaks. 4. Quote first. We explain the fault and the price before any work starts. 5. Repair and test. We repair, then monitor that the fridge is cooling before we leave. 6. Guarantee. Our repairs carry a 6-month warranty.

Gas leaks and regassing

If a fridge has lost its refrigerant, there is a leak. We find and repair the leak, replace the filter drier, vacuum the system and recharge it with the correct refrigerant for your model. Simply adding gas without repairing the leak is not a real repair.

Is it worth repairing?

• Fans, thermostats, sensors, defrost parts, starter relays and door seals are affordable. Repair is almost always the right choice.
• Control boards vary. On most mid-range and premium fridges, repair is worthwhile.
• Gas leaks and compressors cost more. On a fridge less than about eight to ten years old, especially a larger or premium model, repair is often still worth it. On an old, small fridge, replacement may be better.

We always give you an honest recommendation.

Looking after your fridge

• Vacuum the condenser coil once or twice a year.
• Leave a gap around the fridge for airflow.
• Check door seals regularly.
• Do not overpack the fridge or block the air vents.
• Use a surge protector.
• Keep the fridge at about 3 to 5 degrees and the freezer at about minus 18.

Areas we cover

We work on fridges and freezers in two regions. In the Western Cape we cover Cape Town and its suburbs, from Sea Point, Rondebosch and Constantia to Durbanville, Bellville, Blouberg and the South Peninsula, plus the Helderberg, the Cape Winelands, the Breede Valley, the West Coast and the Overberg. In the Eastern Cape we cover Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), Kariega and Despatch, Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, St Francis Bay and Kenton-on-Sea.

In Cape Town, salt corrodes condensers in coastal homes, and garage freezers in the northern suburbs and Winelands struggle through hot summers. In the Eastern Cape, surge damage after power cuts and salt off Algoa Bay are the most common causes of fridge faults we see.