What Are the Noises Your Refrigerator Makes Trying to Say?
This is no prank call, but have you checked lately to see if your refrigerator is running? If you are positive it is running, the more important question could be what is it trying to tell you. The fridge is usually one of the more quiet appliances in the house—only kicking in as needed with a gentle humming motor providing cool air in the unit.
However, when the refrigerator is starting to fail, you will not even have to be asked if it is running, as you will likely hear it all over the house. By learning to understand the different sounds that are made when your faulty fridge is running, you will have a much easier time tracking down the source of the problem.
Screeching and Squealing When the Motor Kicks In
The motor that is in the base of your refrigerator is basically a giant cooling unit. As the motor turns, it pushes a fan that blows cool air over a cold condensing unit to provide you with refrigerated temperatures. If you are hearing screeches and squeals, it is a good indicator that your refrigerator motor is starting to fail. The sound is produced by the friction of metal against metal, which comes along with the breakdown of belts and components inside of the motor itself. Unfortunately, this type of appliance repair would involve disassembling the motor and replacing parts, which is possible, but should only be done by a professional.
Pecking or Knocking Noises
Once a fridge has done its part to cool your food for several years, you may notice a slight knocking or pecking when the motor is running. This is not a sound to be taken lightly, but is usually a simple repair. In most cases, it means the hardware that holds the main housing of the motor has came loose. This will require removing the back cover from the appliance and tightening any hardware that you see.
Dripping and Water Sounds with No Leaks
The condensation that comes along with keeping the refrigerator cold is expected. This is why most refrigerators have a drip pan stored beneath to catch any water that is dispelled while the fridge is running. If you hear the sounds of drips or water streaming, but are getting no results in the drip pan, this could indicate you have a problem with the drainage system. The fridge is designed to direct any condensation production through a small funnel or tube to the drip pan. If you hear water and cannot find it, it may mean that it is leaking into the housing of the fridge, which is something that should be immediately addressed to prevent damage.
If you suspect that your fridge is trying to tell you that something is up, pay attention and contact a professional appliance repair center for help when you have to. It is much better to learn the language of your fridge and prevent an all-out replacement. For assistance, talk to a professional like Arnie's Dependable Appliance Repair.
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