When your refrigerator stops keeping things cold, it usually starts as a small problem and becomes urgent fast. Here’s what Vancouver homeowners face most — and what you can do before it becomes a emergency.
Fridge Warm But Freezer Is Fine
The most frequent call: the freezer is cold but the fridge section is warm. On most French door and side-by-side fridges in Vancouver condos, this is usually the evaporator fan in the freezer. When it fails, cold air can’t circulate into the fridge. Food in the fridge section starts warming within a few hours.
You’ll know it’s the fan if: the freezer feels cold but the fridge is warm, if you hear a grinding or clicking noise from the back of the freezer, or if there’s a buildup of frost on the back wall of the freezer. On Samsung and LG fridges common in Metro Vancouver condos, the fan motor is one of the most frequent failures after year three.
Water Pooling Under the Fridge
This is usually the drain tube getting blocked. The defrost cycle produces water that drains down a tube into a pan at the bottom. If that tube is blocked with ice, water backs up and spills onto your floor. Try pushing a thin piece of tubing through the drain hole at the back of the freezer compartment. If that doesn’t work, the drain pump has failed.
Strange Noises From the Back
A clicking or buzzing noise that starts and stops is usually the compressor relay — a small part that tells the compressor to start. On Whirlpool, Maytag, and Amana fridges — the most common platform in Vancouver rental properties — this relay fails regularly after 5-8 years. It’s a cheap part and a fast repair.
A constant humming that never stops usually means the compressor is running but not efficiently — often due to low refrigerant or a failing overload device.
Door Seal Is Broken
If you can push a piece of paper through the door seal easily, the gasket has lost its compression. Warm air gets in and the compressor works harder. You’ll see higher energy bills and food that spoils faster. A new door gasket costs $65-130 depending on the model.
What This Costs at Evo
- Evaporator fan motor: $140-220
- Thermostat: $110-165
- Compressor start relay: $120-170
- Door gasket: $65-130
- Drain tube clearing: $95-130
- Sealed system repair: $400-700
Book a Refrigerator Repair
Call or text (604) 200-3054 or book at evoappliances.ca. We service all makes and models across Metro Vancouver. Same-day and next-day appointments available.
