Did you know that your refrigerator can last anywhere from 10 to 25 years, on average? While that means you should only have to replace your fridge a few times in your life, it doesn’t, mean you won’t need to repair it.
And, unfortunately, many homeowners don’t have a good understanding of common fridge issues. This leads to them making refrigerator repair mistakes that can damage the appliance at best, or require a full replacement at worse.
There has to be a better way!
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place to learn how to prevent those mistakes. Keep reading to learn about the mistakes to avoid when it comes to common refrigerator issues.
1. Using Your Fridge Incorrectly
If you thought that using a fridge meant only opening it, putting in or taking out food, and closing it, think again.
Refrigerators require proper care and maintenance, otherwise, they’ll need repairs more often. By knowing how to use your fridge the right way, you can help prevent the need for future repairs.
Don’t Pack It Too Full
When you put too much in your fridge, it overworks the system. Not only does this take an unnecessary toll on the appliance, but it leads to a higher monthly energy bill as well.
Instead of packing everything you can into the refrigerator, avoid overstocking it by taking smaller, more frequent trips to the grocery store. As a good rule of thumb, if you have trouble reaching to the back of the fridge, that’s a good sign that it’s too full.
Setting It at the Wrong Temperature
You might think that lowering the temperature on the fridge by a few degrees will keep your food fresh for longer. However, all it does is overwork your refrigerator, and again, lead to higher bills.
Instead, leave it on the recommended factory settings for the best results. If your fridge is currently too low, gradually adjust it back up, as abrupt temperature changes can damage the appliance.
Ignoring Regular Maintenance Tasks
Your fridge will start to break down without proper care and attention. This means that you should regularly clean it to avoid serious issues, such as a blocked drainage tube, which can lead to leaks.
You should also replace filters regularly to prevent issues. For example, an LG fridge filter should be replaced every 6 months at a minimum.
2. Attempting DIY Repairs
Unless you’re handy by nature, it’s best to leave refrigerator repairs in the hands of a professional. By attempting your own repairs, you will likely end up spending more time and money, only to have to call in a professional later on in the process anyway.
Skip the DIY online videos and instead contact a professional repair service when you notice an issue.
3. Choosing the Wrong Repair Contractor
All refrigerator repair services are not created equally. Choosing the wrong contractor for your refrigerator repair service is one of the biggest mistakes you can make in terms of prolonging your fridge’s lifespan. Keep these tips in mind before hiring a contractor.
Do Some Online Research
Before you hiring someone to fix your fridge, look online for recommendations and read through reviews from past customers. This is one of the best ways to make sure that you’re hiring a trustworthy, legitimate company. When looking at reviews, remember to read both positive and negative ones to try to get an unbiased opinion of the company.
Check Qualifications
Take the time to ask potential contractors about any certifications they have. You should also ask for proof of insurance, to make sure they’re covered should an accident happen while on the job. Without proper insurance, you could be held responsible if something goes wrong while they’re working in your home.
Meet Them Before Hiring
Most of the time, the best way to see if a company is the right choice to work on your home is to meet with them first. If your schedule doesn’t permit for you to meet them in person first, then schedule a phone call at the very least. This is the perfect time to ask any questions you have and learn more about average refrigerator repair costs.
If possible, ask for a written estimate before committing to hiring them, so they can’t try to tack on additional, unnecessary fees at the end of the project.
4. Putting off Repairs
We’ve all been guilty of procrastinating, especially when it comes to inconvenient home repairs. However, you can’t afford to put off refrigerator repairs. Generally speaking, fridge issues don’t fix themselves, so the longer you put them off, the worse the problems will get.
Eventually, this could lead to more expensive repairs, or maybe even a full replacement. Instead of putting off repairs, contact a professional repair service at the first sign of an issue.
5. Not Knowing When to Repair vs Replace
If your old fridge from the 90s still works well enough, you might think it’s best to just continue making repairs as needed, instead of replacing it with a newer model.
In the case of minor repairs, that’s fine, but if you start to notice more frequent or serious issues, it could be time to get a completely new fridge instead.
Not knowing when to repair vs replace will almost certainly end up costing you more money in the long run, because you’ll have to pay for a new refrigerator on top of countless repair bills. As a bonus, remember that while new refrigerators are more expensive up front, they cost less to operate since they’re more energy-efficient than older models.
Avoid These Common Refrigerator Repair Mistakes
After reading through our list of common refrigerator repair mistakes, now you know what not to do. As a result, you can make more informed decisions the next time you notice an issue with your fridge.
Looking for more home and lifestyle tips like this? Be sure to browse through our other articles before you go.
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