Repair or Replace: Refrigerator Edition

Refrigerator repairs | St. LouisThe refrigerator is one of the most used and relied-upon appliances in the home. If you don’t believe us, try living without a fridge for a week – you will see what we mean! While refrigerators tend to be longer-lasting and more durable than other household appliances, we still see a number of common issues that either require a repair or cause a fridge to need to be replaced.

If your refrigerator is doing something funny and you’re not sure if it’s better to repair or replace, use this handy guide.

Common refrigerator issues

While any number of things can go wrong with a refrigerator, here are the issues we see most often:

  • The fridge is either not keeping food cold or keeping food so cold that it freezes
  • The freezer is not freezing food or is experiencing ice buildup
  • The icemaker is malfunctioning
  • Water is pooling on the floor around the fridge
  • The refrigerator is making louder-than-normal noises
  • The refrigerator’s temperature monitor is beeping

None of these issues necessarily mean that a refrigerator is on its last legs, though the older the refrigerator, the more likely it is that it needs to be replaced. At Diamond Factory Service, we have decades of experience repairing refrigerators, so if you aren’t quite ready to buy a whole new model, give us a call to schedule a diagnostic appointment.

To repair or replace?

A big part of the decision of whether to repair or replace your refrigerator depends on its age. Most fridges are built to last no more than 15 years, with different types having longer or shorter lifespans depending on their functionality and design.

According to a study by Consumer Reports,

  • Built-in refrigerators are usually worth repairing, as they can be quite costly to replace and have the longest lifespan of any style.
  • Side-by-side style refrigerators less than five years old can normally be repaired, but models older than five years should be considered for replacement. 
  • Bottom freezer styles can often be repaired up to seven years but may need to be replaced if older than that and…
  • Top freezer styles can normally be repaired up to six years after purchase and considered for replacement after seven years.

A good rule of thumb: if the repair is going to cost more than 50% of the cost of a new refrigerator, it is more economical to replace it.

Another factor to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your refrigerator is its eco-friendliness. Older refrigerators often use a LOT of energy, causing bills to skyrocket. Upgrading your refrigerator may seem expensive in the moment, but it may be worth it when you consider your energy cost savings over time.

Finally, always check to see if your refrigerator is under warranty. If it is, you will likely need to contact the manufacturer to schedule a repair with their preferred service. Luckily, Diamond Factory Service is the preferred repair vendor for many of the top refrigerator brands!

Refrigerator maintenance

There are a few things you can do to extend the life of your refrigerator:

  • Keep it out of direct sunlight and removed from other heat-producing appliances like dishwashers and microwaves.
  • Don’t back your refrigerator all the way up to the wall. Leave an inch or two so the coils at the back of the fridge have room to breathe.
  • Do a monthly cleaning (vinegar and water work fine) of the door seals and drip pan and dust the coils.
  • As soon as you notice an issue with your refrigerator, call Diamond Appliance to schedule a diagnostic appointment. If it can be repaired, we can probably fix it on the same day!

Diamond Appliance: your refrigerator repair experts

Here at Diamond, our technicians have seen it all. We are Kansas and Missouri’s expert appliance repair service resource and are thousands of people’s first call when they need a refrigerator repair. If your fridge can be repaired, we usually can finish the job on the same day. If you choose to replace your refrigerator, you may qualify for a half-off coupon for the diagnostic appointment.

If you are looking for expert appliance repair, give Diamond Factory Service a call today. We provide KitchenAid refrigerator repairs, Whirlpool refrigerator repairs, Maytag refrigerator repairs, and service for many other top brands. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment.