As a refrigerator repairman, I’ve seen it all—from mysterious puddles on kitchen floors to freezers that think they're saunas. While many people overlook the humble fridge, it's one of the hardest-working appliances in any home. And when it stops working, panic sets in quickly—especially when there’s ice cream involved.

Let me take you through a typical day on the job and share some insights that could help you keep your fridge humming along happily.

Morning Calls: The Classic "Not Cooling" Complaint

Most days start with a few early-morning calls from customers reporting that their fridge isn’t keeping things cold. This is by far the most common issue I see. Often, it’s caused by a dirty condenser coil, a faulty thermostat, or a broken evaporator fan motor.

Tip: Clean your condenser coils twice a year. Dust buildup can force your fridge to work harder and eventually lead to a breakdown.

Midday: The "Weird Noises" Mystery

Next up, a customer says their fridge is making “a buzzing, clicking, humming kind of noise.” These sounds can be anything from a failing compressor to a loose fan blade or even just an ice buildup causing parts to rub.

In one case, I found a toy car lodged behind a fan blade—courtesy of a curious toddler. That’s a repair job that ended with more laughs than usual.

Tip: If your fridge starts making strange noises, don’t ignore it. The earlier we catch the problem, the less expensive it usually is.

Afternoon: Leaks and Ice Buildups

Water leaks are another regular issue. More often than not, the culprit is a clogged or frozen defrost drain. I’ll thaw the ice and clear the drain, then show the homeowner how to prevent it from happening again.

Tip: Check the drain pan and keep your freezer at 0°F (-18°C). If it’s too cold, it can cause unnecessary frost that leads to leaks.

The Unseen Hero: Preventive Maintenance

People rarely think about maintaining their fridge until it breaks. But with some basic upkeep, your fridge can last 10–15 years or more.

Here’s a quick checklist:

• Clean coils every 6 months

• Check and replace door seals if loose or cracked

• Keep the fridge at 37–40°F and the freezer at 0°F

• Don’t overload shelves—good air circulation is key

Closing Thoughts

Being a refrigerator repairman is part technician, part detective, and part counselor (especially when someone’s ice cream has melted). But helping people get their fridge—and their kitchen—back to normal is what makes this job rewarding.

So next time your fridge acts up, don’t panic. Just remember there’s a professional out there who knows exactly what to do—and might even leave you with a good story to tell.