Fridge Repair in Hamilton

Of all the appliances in your home, the refrigerator might be the most essential. It runs 24/7, keeping your food fresh and your family safe. When it fails, every hour counts. Spoiled groceries, wasted money, and the hassle of figuring out what to do with everything—it's stressful.

That's why we prioritize fridge repairs at Hamilton Appliance Repair. We understand the urgency and offer same-day service whenever possible. Our technicians arrive ready to diagnose and repair, with common parts on hand to restore your refrigerator's performance quickly.

Understanding Refrigerator Problems

Refrigerators are complex machines with several systems working together. Understanding what might be failing helps us diagnose and repair faster:

Not cooling at all: When neither the fridge nor freezer cools, suspect the compressor, start relay, or overload protector. Sometimes it's a thermostat not signaling the compressor to run. In rare cases, refrigerant leaks are the culprit.

Freezer cold but fridge warm: This classic symptom usually points to a failed evaporator fan (which circulates cold air from freezer to fridge), a blocked air vent, or a defrost system problem causing ice to block airflow.

Frost buildup: Excessive frost means the defrost system isn't working properly. The defrost heater, defrost thermostat, or defrost timer/control board could be at fault. Door seal problems can also cause frost.

Water leaks: The most common cause is a clogged defrost drain—water backs up and eventually overflows onto the floor. Ice makers with faulty water inlet valves or loose connections also leak. Sometimes it's a cracked drain pan.

Strange noises: Clicking often indicates a compressor struggling to start. Buzzing might be a water inlet valve (if you have an ice maker). Humming, rattling, or grinding usually point to fan motors, compressor mounts, or internal components.

Our Diagnostic Approach

Fridge diagnosis requires patience and systematic testing. Here's our process:

1. Gather information: What are you experiencing? When did it start? Any power outages recently? Changes in temperature settings?
2. Check the basics: Temperature settings, door seals, condenser coils (dirty coils are a common culprit), and fan operation.
3. Test components: We use professional tools to test compressor function, thermostat accuracy, fan motors, defrost systems, and control boards.
4. Explain and quote: Before any repair work, we tell you exactly what we found, what needs to be done, and what it will cost. Your call.

What to Expect During Service

Fridge repairs can vary widely in complexity. Simple fixes like replacing a defrost thermostat or cleaning a clogged drain take 30-45 minutes. More involved repairs—fan motors, compressor components, control boards—may take 1-2 hours.

We respect your home and your time. Shoe covers, clean work areas, and clear communication throughout. If parts need to be ordered, we'll tell you exactly what's happening and when we can return to complete the repair.

Should You Repair or Replace Your Fridge?

Refrigerators can last 15-20 years, but that doesn't mean every repair makes sense. Here's our honest guidance:

Repair is usually worth it when: Your fridge is under 10 years old, it's been reliable, and the repair cost is under 40-50% of a comparable new model. Most component repairs—fans, thermostats, defrost parts—fall into this category.

Replacement makes more sense when: The compressor fails on an older fridge, there's a sealed system refrigerant leak, or you've had multiple expensive repairs in recent years. Energy efficiency gains in newer models may also tip the scales.

We'll never push repair if replacement is the smarter choice. Our goal is to give you the information to make the best decision for your situation and budget.