Walk-in units are important in storing valuable inventory. Think of the rows and rows of them at your local grocery store. But those doors put up with a lot of wear and tear from employees and customers, making regular inspections to look for damage important. The maintenance, repair and care of walk-in unit doors will depend on the type of door.

Sliding Door Walk In Refrigerator

Lots of walk-in units have sliding doors to enter them. These doors should slide all the way closed to completely seal the cold air inside. If light shines through when the door is closed, it’s likely there isn’t a complete seal. When outside air gets in, it can damage the products inside it. On top of lost inventory, you are also causing the parts of your walk-in cooler to work harder to try and keep the temperatures correct.

Walk in Cooler Swing Doors

The parts on swing doors are different than those on sliding doors. Swing doors have sweeps on the bottom of the doors that are designed to keep outdoor air from getting into the walk-in unit. These door sweeps also keep cool air inside the unit. These doors should be adjusted and cleaned with regular maintenance added to the sweeps. Swing doors typically have hydraulic door closers. These closers should be in good working order, so the doors close correctly. Just like sliding doors, swing doors also protect your inventory. When a swing door works correctly it will help maintain the temperature inside of the walk-in cooler or freezer.

Common Walk in Cooler Issues that Can Be Avoided with Preventive Maintenance

These investment appliances are essential to many businesses but aren’t the cheapest item to replace. Regular maintenance means you won’t have to replace them sooner than you should.
1. Higher utility bills. A steady increase in utility bills is a good indication that the insulation of your walk-in unit is declining and allowing heat to get in and cold air to get out. The unit will use extra energy trying to fix the insulation problem. Higher bills may also mean a broken thermostat or motor.
2. Ice or frost buildup. Regular scraping of ice or frost or losing items to frost bite means there is extra moisture that is letting the ice buildup. Extra moisture is almost always due to air leaks.
3. Regular walk in refrigerator leaks. Damaged seals can lead to water leaks and puddles. When water pools it becomes stagnant and can cause mold and mildew to develop. This can lead to problems with the health inspector and lost inventory.
4. Fluctuating temperatures of walk in refrigeration unit. When a walk-in unit constantly has to regulate the temperature inside it, it may be time to replace it. Fluctuating temperatures may be due to insulation failure or a broken thermostat that you may have to have calibrated.
5. Food spoiling before expiration date. When items continue to spoil before the expiration date, your unit is having operational problems. Not only is it frustrating to throw food away due to spoilage, it might be a sign of a more serious problem that needs to be addressed.

Commercial Refrigeration Services & More in Aliante, Anthem, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Enterprise, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Inspirada, Mountain’s Edge, North LV, Peccole Ranch, Paradise, Providence, Rhodes Ranch, Seven Hills, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, The Lakes, Tuscany Village & Las Vegas Nevada

Any of these problems requires a call to a commercial refrigeration technician to check your walk-in unit for damage or internal failures. Hal Mechanical offers commercial refrigeration services. Give us a call today!