Our services
Fridge Freezer Repair in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall
Fridge freezer repair covers combined appliances where the fridge, the freezer or both have stopped holding temperature, where ice is building up, or where water is leaking. We diagnose the fault in your home, explain it and agree the cost before any repair.
01How it works
Fridge Freezer Repair, explained
How it works
Your fridge freezer, properly understood
A combined fridge freezer uses a single refrigeration cycle to cool two separate compartments. In most modern frost-free appliances, the cooling happens in the freezer section. A compressor pumps refrigerant gas through a condenser coil to release heat, then through an evaporator coil inside the freezer where it absorbs heat. A fan then circulates this cold air. To cool the fridge compartment, a motorised damper or vent allows a controlled amount of that freezing air to flow upwards, regulated by a thermostat to keep the fridge just above freezing. Because the two compartments rely on shared components, a failure in one area can affect the whole appliance. If the defrost heater or timer fails, ice builds up on the evaporator coil, blocking the fan and stopping cold air from reaching the fridge. This leaves the freezer frozen but the fridge warm. Faulty door seals let warm air in, causing excessive condensation that can freeze and block drainage channels, leading to water leaking inside the cabinet or onto the floor. Compressors can also develop electrical faults or mechanical wear, resulting in noisy running or a complete failure to cool. Diagnosing a fridge freezer requires checking both sides of the system. We test the appliance at your home, examining the airflow, temperature sensors and defrost components. For integrated models or large American-style units, we look at the specific routing of the air channels and the condition of the control boards. We explain the fault to you once the diagnosis is complete.
02Know the signs
When it is time to call us
01
Puddles of water forming underneath the bottom freezer drawer.
02
The fridge compartment feels warm while the freezer remains frozen.
03
A thick layer of solid ice coating the internal walls.
04
The appliance makes a loud clicking noise from the back.
05
Food in the fridge section is freezing and becoming ruined.
06
The digital control panel is unresponsive or flashing an error.
03Common faults
What usually lies behind it
01
Ice building up in the freezer compartment
Frost-free models use a heating element to melt away ice from the cooling coils. If the element, defrost timer or sensor develops a fault, ice accumulates rapidly. This solid ice blocks the internal fan and stops cold air from circulating properly through the appliance.
02
Water leaking inside the fridge cabinet
During the normal defrost cycle, condensation drips into a channel and flows down a drain hole to an evaporation tray near the compressor. If this drain hole becomes blocked with food debris or freezes over, water pools under the salad crisper drawers and leaks out.
03
The compressor runs continuously and noisily
A fridge freezer should cycle on and off to maintain the correct temperature. If the appliance runs constantly, it is struggling to remove heat. This happens when the condenser coils are covered in thick dust, a door seal is split, or the thermostat is faulty.
04
Fridge section freezing food unexpectedly
Cold air travels from the freezer to the fridge through a mechanical damper. If this damper gets stuck in the open position, or if the fridge temperature sensor fails, too much freezing air enters the upper cabinet. This causes vegetables and liquids to freeze solid.
05
Appliance trips the electrical circuit breaker
A fridge freezer can trip the household electrics if moisture reaches the wiring or if a component develops a short circuit. The defrost heater and the compressor motor are potential sources for electrical faults. We diagnose the electrical system to locate the exact short circuit.
04Questions
Fridge Freezers: your questions
Not answered here? Tell us the make, the model and what the appliance is doing.
Call 01752 922765In many fridge freezers the fridge is cooled by air from the freezer side, so a fan or defrost fault can leave the fridge warm while the freezer still works. We test to find which part has failed.
This happens when the internal defrost drain becomes blocked. Every time the appliance runs a defrost cycle, the melted water has nowhere to go. It overflows the collection channel and runs down the back wall, eventually pooling under the bottom drawers or leaking onto the floor.
Yes, we repair integrated fridge freezers and American-style models. We diagnose the fault in your home. Integrated appliances are built into your kitchen cabinets, so we inspect the hinges, door sliders and ventilation channels alongside the internal refrigeration components to understand exactly why the appliance is failing.
Unusual noises usually point to a mechanical issue. A loud buzzing or vibrating sound can come from a failing compressor at the back of the appliance. A harsh scraping noise inside the cabinet happens when ice builds up and hits the blades of the circulation fan.
All Appliance Care only works on electric appliances. We repair washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, fridges, freezers, fridge freezers, wine coolers, electric ovens, electric cookers, electric range cookers, electric and induction hobs, cooker hoods and microwaves. We do not work on gas cookers, gas hobs or any gas appliance.
05Where we work
Fridge Freezers in your town
Choose your town for fridge freezer repair there, nearest to Plymouth first.
Devon