A little frost in a walk-in freezer is normal. Ice building up on the walls, ceiling, floor, around the door, or packed onto the evaporator coil isn't. It means warm, moist air is getting in, or the freezer isn't clearing its own frost, and if it goes on long enough the box stops holding temperature.
Where the ice is tells you a lot
- Around the door frame and on the floor near it: warm air is getting in at the door.
- On the evaporator coil (the unit with fans near the ceiling): a defrost problem, or too much moisture coming in.
- On product and the ceiling: moist air getting in somewhere, often the door, sometimes a damaged panel seam.
What staff can check
- The door gasket. Torn, flattened or iced gaskets let warm, humid air in all day. Check it seals all the way around, including the bottom sweep.
- The door closer. Does the door close and latch on its own? A door left cracked open, or propped during deliveries, is the most common cause of ice.
- The heater wire in the door frame. If the frame is freezing to the door, the frame heater may have failed.
- The strip curtain, if there is one: torn or missing strips let warm air pour in when the door opens.
- Stocking. Keep product off the floor and away from the evaporator so air can circulate.
Problems that need a technician
- Defrost: a failed defrost heater, timer or control lets frost build until the coil is a block of ice.
- The evaporator fans not running.
- A frozen drain line, so defrost water refreezes in the pan.
- Damaged panels or seams letting moisture into the insulation.
Don't chip ice off the coil: the fins and tubes are easy to puncture, and a refrigerant leak is a much bigger repair.
Regular checks of door gaskets, heaters and the defrost system are part of a commercial maintenance plan. If your box is icing up now, call us at 805-965-6326.
Related
More tips on commercial.