Ice on the back panel
The fault we meet most on newer Shell Cove fridges is a sheet of ice spreading over the back wall of the fridge compartment, sometimes with water dripping into the crisper. On Samsung Twin Cooling models and many other French-door designs, that means the defrost system has stopped clearing the coil, usually through a failed heater, a sensor or a blocked drain line. The fridge is still making cold. It simply can't get rid of its own frost.
You can buy time while you wait for a visit. Empty the fridge into an esky, switch it off with the doors open, lay towels on the floor and let the ice melt over several hours. It will come back within days or weeks if a part has failed, but it gets the fridge cooling again in the meantime. This is worth repairing, and it has nothing to do with a gas leak.
Plumbed fridges in tight cavities
Any fridge with an ice maker or a chilled water tap has a supply line behind it and an inlet valve at the base. When those weep, the water often surfaces under the kickboard of the joinery instead of on the open floor, so it can go unnoticed for a while. A dispenser that spits, dribbles or runs slowly usually points to the valve, or to a filter that is long overdue.
Cabinetry brings its own trouble. A fridge built into a tall cavity needs room above and behind to vent heat, and a snug custom fit can leave it running warm. If the cabinet sides feel hot to touch, mention that when you book.
Salt at the marina end
Homes near the marina catch more salt-laden air than the streets set further back. Even on a fridge only a few years old, it pays to vacuum the condenser once a year. LG, Bosch, Fisher & Paykel and Haier fridges are all covered by our authorised status, in warranty and out.
Questions from Shell Cove
Why is there ice on the back wall of my fridge section?
A layer of ice on the back wall of the cold food section usually means a defrost heater, sensor or drain has failed. The fridge still cools, but the frost grows until it chokes the airflow. A manual defrost buys some time, and the part itself is a routine repair.
Can you repair a Samsung fridge freezer still under warranty?
Yes. We are an authorised Samsung repairer, along with LG, Bosch, Fisher & Paykel, Haier and the rest of the major brands. Bring your proof of purchase and the work is done under the manufacturer warranty.
My fridge water dispenser is leaking. Do I need a plumber?
Usually not. The leak is most often at the inlet valve, the filter housing or a line inside the fridge, and those are appliance parts we replace. If the fault is in the house supply tap or the pipework behind the wall, that belongs to a plumber.