Fridge repairs you can trust
A fridge that's not cooling is one repair you can't put off. Whether it's a warm fridge, a freezer that's iced up, or water pooling in the bottom, most fridge and freezer faults trace back to the seals, the defrost system, or the compressor circuit. We repair all fridge types, top and bottom mount, side-by-side and French door, right across the region.
Common fridge faults we fix
- Not cooling or running warm — Usually a fan, a temperature sensor, the damper, or ice blocking the vents between the freezer and fridge so cold air can't get through, and occasionally the compressor. There's always a specific cause, and it's one we diagnose in person rather than guess at.
- Freezer icing up — A blocked defrost system, a failed defrost heater or timer, or a perished door seal letting warm air in.
- Water leaking inside or underneath — Almost always a blocked defrost drain, where melt water from the defrost cycle can't escape. Sometimes the water filter or valves on models with a dispenser. Usually a simple fix, not a major fault.
- Loud or constant running — Worn fan motors, a struggling compressor, or dusty coils. We'll assess before you replace the whole unit.
- Light or display faults — Failed door switches, LED modules or control boards on newer electronic models.
What to expect from a fridge repair
How we diagnose it
Cooling faults can come from the thermostat, the evaporator fan, the defrost system or the sealed refrigeration circuit, and they often present in similar ways. We test each stage, airflow, defrost, temperature control and the compressor circuit, to work out whether it is an economical fix or a sealed-system issue.
On the day
We prioritise no-cooling calls because of food spoilage, so we'll get you the earliest slot we have. Fan motors, thermostats, defrost heaters and door seals are usually replaced in the one visit; sealed-system or compressor work is specialised, and we advise you before going ahead.
Repair or replace?
Fan, thermostat, defrost and seal faults are almost always worth fixing. If it is a failed compressor or a refrigerant leak on an older fridge, replacement often makes more sense, and we give you the straight numbers so you are not spending good money after bad.
Not sure your fridge is worth fixing? Read our guide to repairing vs replacing an appliance — and wherever you are, from Wollongong to Shellharbour and Kiama, we come to you.
From the workshop
A fridge that's not cooling has a specific cause every time: a fan, a temperature sensor, the damper, or ice blocking the vents between the freezer and fridge so the cold air can't get through. Occasionally it's the compressor. This is one you really need to see in person to diagnose properly, which is why we don't guess over the phone.
If the fridge is warm but the freezer's fine, that usually points to a blocked vent or a failed fan between the two sections, sometimes the damper. Water pooling inside or underneath is almost always a blocked defrost drain, the melt water from the defrost cycle can't escape, not something major.
The one honest line I'll always give: if a fridge needs a regas or compressor work, it's rarely economical. Those repairs run past a thousand dollars once you account for safely recovering the old gas, pressure-testing and resealing. We don't do sealed-system work ourselves because I don't want to waste your money on it. I'll either point you to a specialist we trust or, on a cheaper fridge, tell you straight that a new one is the better buy. For anything else, a fan, a sensor, a drain or a seal, a fridge is a pain to replace, so it's almost always worth fixing.
One job that sticks: an ice-maker with a cracked tray that had been quietly leaking. The whole freezer had filled with water and frozen into one solid block of ice. It took a while to clear and replace, but we got their ice-maker going again just in time for summer.
— Tyson, on the tools
Frequently asked questions
My fridge isn't cold but the light works. What's wrong?
That points to a cooling fault rather than power, commonly a fan motor, thermostat, or the sealed refrigeration system. It needs an on-site diagnosis to pin down.
Do you regas fridges?
Sealed-system and refrigerant work is specialised and licensed. We diagnose the fault first and advise honestly whether a repair is worthwhile or whether replacement makes more sense.
How quickly can you look at a fridge that's stopped?
We prioritise no-cooling calls because of food spoilage, so we'll get you the earliest slot we have — most jobs within the week, often within a couple of days.
How much does a fridge repair cost?
Our call-out fee is $100 for jobs close in across the Illawarra, or $150 for further out, and it covers travel and inspecting your fridge. If we can repair it on the spot without parts, there's a flat $50 labour fee per machine. If parts are needed we quote you first, and that $50 is credited toward the total repair — no overtime or after-hours surcharges.
How long does a fridge repair take?
Many fridge faults — fan motors, thermostats, defrost heaters, door seals — are fixed in a single visit. Sealed-system or compressor issues can need an ordered part and a follow-up; we tell you on the day which it is.
My fridge is warm but the freezer is still cold. What's wrong?
That usually means the vents, or the fan that moves cold air from the freezer into the fridge, are blocked or failing, and sometimes it's the damper. It's a common one and usually a straightforward fix, not a compressor problem.
There's water pooling in the bottom of my fridge. Is it serious?
Almost always a blocked defrost drain, where the water from the automatic defrost cycle can't drain away. It looks alarming but it's usually a simple clear-out, not a major fault.