Ice build-up on commercial freezers can be a frustrating issue. Most often it is due to moisture in the air entering the freezer and freezing on the walls. This is a problem since ice build-up can impede the performance of your appliance so look for commercial freezer repairs technicians. Let’s discuss what causes ice to build up in commercial freezers and how it can impact the unit.

Reasons For Ice Build-Up In Commercial Freezers?

There are several reasons contributing to ice build-up in commercial freezers. To begin with, it could be due to the fact that the door is left open while it is being restocked allowing humid air to enter. As a result, the air will then freeze and contribute to the icing problem.

Furthermore, it could also be due to a faulty pressure relief port. Most commercial freezers come with a heated pressure relief port that makes sure pressure isn’t built-up. To find out if the vent is failing or faulty, try to open the door of the freezer. If it is difficult to open, this is a sign that the vent is failing.

Commercial freezers also come with gaskets and seals preventing the air outside from entering inside. The gaskets are usually made from rubber, which can wear with time. If you have a relatively old commercial freezer unit, chances are that the gasket needs replacement as well. To make sure the gaskets are the culprit, look for cracks or damages.

While inspecting the gaskets and seals, you should take a look at the door as well. The doors are held in place using hinges, which can turn faulty with time. As a result, the door on your commercial freezer might not close properly. Plus, you should check the hydraulic mechanisms too for any leaks. If they are, you should replace them.

And finally, if your commercial freezer is more than a decades old, the insulation panel might be saturated with ice or water. Upon turning off the freezer, you notice there is a water leak from the panels, which means there is surely ice-build up. This will prevent your freezer from performing at its optimum.

What Damage Can A Walk-In Freezer Ice Build-Up Cause?

Regular ice build-up can lead to several issues in your freezer. The melting and freezing could cause the water to enter inside the freezer and damage its internal components. This is especially true in the case of evaporator fans that are blocked by ice blockages.

To prevent such situations, manufacturers recommend scheduling a thorough inspection and maintenance each year or depending on the usage. Commercial freezers work round the clock to store food. This means they will not be shut down at the end of each working day.

On top of that, the accumulation of dirt, dust, and debris can also impede the performance of the unit. It will struggle to perform at its optimum, which will lead to an increase in electricity consumption.

How To Remove Ice Buildup?

Removing ice buildup can be a pretty time-consuming task. You can scrape the ice off your freezer using your hands or some tool but make sure that you do not use anything too sharp, which might damage the freezer. There are several different other ways of removing ice build-up as well such as using rubbing alcohol and a heated cloth. Regardless, you have to be extra careful not to damage any internal component.

Can I Inspect And Maintain The Freezer Myself?

Inspecting a walk in freezer requires special tools and equipment along with a sharp eye to detect minor leakages, cracks, or damage. On the other hand, maintenance needs to be done following some safety protocols to ensure one does not end up injuring themselves and preventing expensive damages.

Therefore, if you are aware of the basics, you can try inspecting and maybe regularly cleaning the freezer to make sure it is clean. However, when it comes to deep inspection and maintenance, you should hire a professional.

Final Word

Ice build-up on commercial freezers shouldn’t be ignored. If you observe ice build-up, you should immediately get down to identifying the issue to prevent further expensive damage and call in commercial refrigerator services McLean to perform repairs.