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Brand-matched compressors, thermostats, seals, and boards fitted correctly, rather than a generic part that fails again in a few months.
FRIDGE REPAIR · JOHANNESBURG & CENTURION
Fridge not cooling? Here's what's usually going on.
A fridge that's warm, noisy, leaking, or running non-stop is almost always one of a handful of faults — and most can be diagnosed on the first visit. Here's how to tell what's wrong before you book a repair.
Quick diagnostic
5 common faults
Not cooling at all
Failed compressor, faulty start relay, or a thermostat stuck open.
Running constantly
Usually a blocked or frosted-up evaporator, a failing door seal, or a dying compressor working overtime.
Water pooling inside or underneath
Blocked defrost drain, damaged door seal, or a cracked drip tray.
Loud buzzing, clicking, or humming
Often a failing compressor, a fan motor with worn bearings, or the unit not sitting level.
Ice building up in the freezer
Faulty defrost heater, defrost timer, or a door seal letting in warm, moist air.
WHY IT'S WORTH CALLING SOMEONE
Fridges run non-stop — and small faults get expensive fast
The compressor is doing all the work
Unlike most appliances, your fridge never really switches off. A minor issue — a weak seal, a struggling fan, a slow refrigerant leak — forces the compressor to work harder than it should, which shortens its life and pushes up your power bill long before the fridge actually stops cooling.
Refrigerant work isn't a DIY job
Anything involving the sealed refrigerant system needs specialised tools, gauges, and a technician licensed to handle refrigerant gas safely and legally. Guessing here can turn a small leak into a full system replacement.
WHAT WE GET CALLED OUT FOR MOST
The five faults behind most call-outs
If you're seeing any of these, it's worth booking a technician before the fault causes your food to spoil.
The fridge isn't cooling at all
Check the power and the thermostat setting first — if those are fine, it's usually a failed compressor, a faulty start relay, or a stuck thermostat.
It runs constantly and never cycles off
Often points to a frosted-up evaporator restricting airflow, a worn door seal letting cold air escape, or a compressor that's losing efficiency.
Water is pooling inside or on the floor
Usually a blocked defrost drain sending water the wrong way, or a damaged door seal or drip tray.
It's making an unusual noise
A buzzing or clicking compressor, a fan motor with worn bearings, or simply a fridge that isn't sitting level — each has a distinct sound a technician can identify quickly.
Ice is building up inside the freezer
Points to a faulty defrost heater or timer, or a seal letting warm, moist air in that keeps refreezing on the coils.
A 5-MINUTE CHECK
Try this before you book a call-out
These checks rule out the simplest causes. If the fault's still there afterwards, it's a job for a technician.
Check the power and the thermostat
Confirm the fridge is firmly plugged in, the breaker hasn't tripped, and the thermostat dial hasn't been knocked to a warmer setting.
Inspect the door seals
Run a finger around the rubber gasket on both doors for tears, flattening, or gaps — a damaged seal is a common, inexpensive fix.
Clear the back and sides
Make sure there's at least a few centimetres of space around the unit so the compressor and coils can actually vent heat.
Check for visible ice or blockages
Open the freezer and look for heavy ice build-up on the back wall, and check that vents inside aren't blocked by packed-in food.
WORKING WITH A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN
What a proper repair gets you
A warranty on the work
Parts and labour are covered, so if the same fault returns, you're not paying for it twice.
Safe handling of refrigerant
Sealed-system work is done with the right tools and gas-handling certification — not guesswork with a compressor under pressure.
An honest diagnosis
You'll be told plainly whether it's worth repairing or whether replacement makes more financial sense, especially on older units.
PRICING
What fridge repairs typically cost
The honest answer is "it depends on the fault" — but here's the shape of it, so you're not going in blind.
Call-out & diagnosis from R450
Covers the technician's visit and a full diagnosis, credited toward the repair if you go ahead.
Minor repairs R450 – R1,200
Door seals, thermostats, fan motors, and drain blockages typically fall in this range.
Major component replacements — a compressor, sealed-system repair, or control board — cost more, but you'll always get a written quote before any work begins. No surprises on the invoice.
MAINTENANCE
Keep the next breakdown further away
Clean the condenser coils
Dust build-up on the coils at the back or underneath makes the compressor work harder and shortens its lifespan.
Check the door seals every few months
A quick visual and "dollar bill" check catches a perishing gasket before it starts costing you in escaped cold air.
Don't overpack it
Blocked vents and overpacked shelves restrict airflow, forcing some areas to run warmer than others.
Keep it level and ventilated
An unlevel fridge or one pushed flush against a wall traps heat around the compressor and speeds up wear.
WHO TO CALL
What to check before you book anyone
- Certified, experienced with all major fridge and freezer brands
- Can usually get to you the same day for urgent faults
- Gives a clear, written quote before starting any work
- Has reviews you can actually verify online
- Backs the repair with a warranty on parts and labour
WHERE WE WORK
Local technicians, not a call centre
We send technicians who know the area, the housing stock, and the appliances — not a dispatcher reading from a script.
JohannesburgCenturionSandtonMidrandPretoriaRandburgFourwaysRoodepoort