If you run a hotel, restaurant or bar in Eugene, OR, ice machine repairs are likely a very familiar concept. But knowing more about how ice machines work and what common problems you’re likely to encounter with them will help you run your business more smoothly. Just knowing the basic signs of different malfunctions, and how professionals deal with them, will save you time and money when you’re in the thick of it. Here’s a rundown of five common ice machine repairs that your Eugene, OR business will benefit from knowing about.
- Low water flow: Whether your water supply has been compromised or your water filter is clogged, a lower than normal flow of water can easily bring your ice machine’s ice production to a standstill. When this is the problem, professionals will easily locate it and take the necessary steps to improve the water flow to the ice machine. However, a low flow could turn out to be a much bigger problem for your business than simple slowness.
- Leaks: When your ice machine has a leaky inlet water valve, ice cubes will tend to be larger than normal. This may not sound like much of a problem; after all, bigger ice cubes might even be better ice cubes. But eventually, the larger ice cubes will likely get stuck in the line of production and stall the entire machine. Your ice machine produces ice cubes of a certain size for a reason, so if you notice your ice cubes are getting noticeably bigger, unplug your ice machine and have a professional come inspect it for possible leaks.
- High water temperature: If the water coming into your ice machine is hotter than 90 degrees, it will likely take longer to freeze and stall your ice production. This problem usually isn’t an issue with your ice machine at all, as the water is already hot when it reaches the ice machine. Typically high water temperature is caused by another appliance, such as a dishwasher, malfunctioning and putting hot water into the cold water line. If you notice your ice machine taking longer to produce ice cubes, ask your maintenance professional to take a look at the other appliances in your kitchen.
- High room temperature: Here’s another problem with temperature, but this time it’s likely even more easily controlled than water temperature. If the room temperature is above 95 degrees, your ice machine will likely give out from being overworked. As 95 degrees is way too hot for working conditions anyway, this will likely only happen if your air conditioner gives out during a hot summer day. If that misfortune does occur, try to remember to unplug your ice machine before serious damage occurs.
- Buildup: Finally, general buildup of ice or minerals on the evaporator plate or any other part of your ice machine will eventually cause malfunctions. Having your ice machine regularly cleaned and serviced is an easy way to prevent this problem from ever happening.
If you have questions about your ice machine or need repair or maintenance services, call the team at American Refrigeration Inc today.
When faced with the prospect of an air conditioning system that’s not working properly or maybe not even at all, commercial building owners tend to panic and for good reason: if a system this large is malfunctioning, it’s not going to be easy nor cheap to fix most of the time. And, before a problem can even be fixed, the scope and the source of the issue need to be thoroughly determined. For this, the insight of a professional is almost invariably required.
Defining the problem
The question of, “what’s wrong with my commercial air conditioning in Eugene, OR?” is one that has innumerable answers. Until your system has a chance to be inspected and tested, any number of dozens of issues could be lurking to hinder its functionality, which is why the first step in a professional approach is always an inspection. From the smallest parts of AC units themselves, to the ventilation systems and electrical components that regulate them, an inspection will cover every segment of your commercial AC system to make sure that a problem can be narrowed down and remedied completely.
Once a problem area or symptoms have been defined, the question of what’s ailing your system becomes a bit clearer. If the problem is an electrical one versus a mechanical one, for example, the path to a sustainable solution becomes that much clearer and parameters can be defined as to devising an appropriate solution. An HVAC professional will then be able to route the problem down to its core, distinguishing symptoms from the initial problem.
Problem versus symptom
Distinguishing symptoms from the real issue is an important facet to understand when it comes to repairing commercial air conditioning in Eugene, OR because, like treating illnesses in the human body, treating the symptoms of a bigger problem does nothing to solve the creator of these problems. HVAC professionals know this all too well and will make sure that the true problem is identified based on symptoms and that you’re not left with the same problem lurking out of sight when they’re finished.
Sustainable solutions
When all is said and done, the answer to your questions should be presented to you in a straightforward way by your HVAC professional. If the problem is a blown fuse that’s preventing the thermostat from sensing the right air temperature, or the mechanical failure of your condenser that’s causing lackluster air production, you should know exactly what happened and why after an inspection by your HVAC partner. This is important because it gives you insight into the issue and provides a record of the repairs made to the system—something that will become important down the line.
The question of what’s wrong with your commercial air conditioning in Eugene, OR isn’t always answerable right off the bat and HVAC contractors will quickly more in for a closer inspection upon seeing certain symptoms. Remember to be patient, even when the situation is dire, and trust that the problem is being assessed to its fullest extent so that you can reap the benefits that come with a smart, sustainable solution.
For those businesses that rely on walk in coolers each and every day—grocery stores, bakeries, butcher shops, etc.—even the smallest problem with your cooler could be a major catastrophe for your business. Even worse still is the situation that many business owners are faced with: make minor repairs that may cost quite a bit of money, versus hoping the problem will go away and potentially saving yourself the cost of repairs. We’re here to tell you that the latter option never works out—problems don’t just go away; they get bigger.
In order to catch problems that are small and give yourself the opportunity to prevent major issues by investing in smaller repairs, you’ll have to pay close attention to the function of your walk in cooler and be privy to anything that’s not quite right. Take a look at five common signs to look out for that might be telling you it’s time for walk in cooler repair in Eugene, OR:
- Rising or unstable temperatures are a crucial sign that something is amiss within your walk in cooler and that something needs to be done right away. Generally your cooler will have a sensor that alerts you to temperature fluctuations or if the temperature goes over a certain level—be sure to pay close attention to this sensor.
- Strange smells coming from within your cooler may cause you to speculate on whether or not something has gone bad, but it could be your cooler’s way of telling you that it needs maintenance. If the coolant keeping your cooler chilled or the condenser responsible for maintaining temperatures becomes old or malfunctions, a strange stale smell can be one of the symptoms.
- Electrical problems are another symptom of an impending failure in your walk in cooler. If the lights dim and flicker erratically or other electrical systems exhibit signs of stress, there may be an electrical problem lurking behind the scenes. Electrical issues require immediate walk in cooler repair in Eugene, OR and ignoring one may result in the failure of your entire cooler.
- Ice buildups and freezing moisture can present a twofold problem. Number one, a cooler is not a freezer, meaning that nothing should be freezing solid—if it is, you’re likely looking at a temperature problem. Number two, excess moisture could indicate that the heat is rising and falling without your knowledge, causing things to freeze, melt and condensate. Keep an eye out for ice at all times!
- Strange noises like rattling, shaking, squeaking or hissing are all signs of mechanical troubles brewing somewhere in your cooler and they should be investigated by a professional as soon as you hear them. A professional will have the insight to pinpoint your potential mechanical failure and see to it that it’s repair fluidly.
Don’t let the simplest problems be the demise of your walk in cooler—at the first sign of any of the symptoms above, seek professional walk in cooler repair in Eugene, OR.
