SERVPRO of Ennis/Red Oak, a water damage restoration company serving Corsicana, TX, and the surrounding area, highlights water damage caused by stand-alone freezers and offers prevention strategies for homeowners. Often, mold damage also accompanies this type of water damage because stand-alone freezers are frequently located away from high-traffic areas where leaks go unnoticed until the damage is done.
Stand-alone freezers commonly found in homes come in three styles. The chest freezer opens from the top. A cabinet freezer, usually found in a gourmet kitchen, has pull-out drawers, making access quick and easy. An upright freezer, the most convenient storage option, looks like a conventional refrigerator. Often a stand-alone freezer is kept in a pantry, utility room, the garage, basement, or on the back porch. A freezer enables the homeowner to buy in bulk and preserve the items for as much as a year or more. Modern freezers are very energy efficient.
Why Do Freezers Leak?
Stand-alone freezer leaks can occur for a variety of reasons.
A Crack in the Drain Pan
One of the most common causes of leaks in a freezer is a crack in the drain pan. The drain pan captures excess water from the freezer and holds the water while it evaporates. A cracked drain pan will allow the water to leak onto the floor under the appliance. The hidden water release can ruin flooring, cause wood rot, stimulate mold growth, attract roaches and other household pests, and create an unsanitary condition in the kitchen.
Consult the owner’s manual to determine the exact location of the drain pan. Examine the pan for leaks. A hairline fracture will be difficult to spot. Puddled water under the drain pan is a good indication of a leak in the drain pan. The best long-term solution is to purchase a replacement drain pan. To prevent shock or electrocution, unplug the freezer before making any repairs.
Improper Food Storage
Not all causes of a water leak require mechanical expertise. One cause of water leakage involves the way the food is arranged in the freezer, and the solution may be as simple as rearranging the food placement.
Below are some examples of how food in the freezer can cause water leaks. A large number of items that contain a high concentration of moisture can potentially elevate the overall moisture level in the freezer. If too many frozen items are resting against the back interior wall of the freezer, condensation may collect on the back of the unit, flow down the side of the appliance, and collect on the floor. The solution to the problem is to rearrange the items more evenly inside the freezer.
The Defrosting Process
Ice buildup in the freezer can reduce the efficiency of the appliance. Defrosting is required from time to time to eliminate the buildup. It is all but impossible to defrost a freezer without getting water and ice on the floor. The key to preventing water damage is to cover the area around the freezer with towels or absorbent mats to collect the moisture and melting ice.
Damaged Door Seal
A defective, damaged, or worn-out door seal can result in a water leak that causes water damage. A tight door seal prevents the warmer outside air from entering the freezer. A breakdown in the door seal can allow some or all of the food to thaw and melt, causing a serious water damage disaster. The solutions are simple. A broken or defective seal must be replaced. If grime and mildew are impeding the work of the door seal, thoroughly clean the door seal and the surfaces it touches. A clean and even surface will receive the seal, hold in the cold air, and keep the warm air out. A stand-alone upright freezer should tilt backward about one-quarter to one-half inch. This backward tilt ensures the doors shut properly and seal tightly.
Broken Temperature Control
If the temperature control malfunctions, the food and ice in the freezer may be thawing and escaping through the door or overflowing the drain pan. The best solution is to secure the services of a reputable appliance service company to repair the freezer. Some of the frozen food may be stored in an alternate location. Unfortunately, in this situation, food may be lost.
When a water damage disaster occurs, delays in securing cleanup and restoration services can allow the damage to grow worse. Advanced secondary damage such as warped flooring, swollen baseboards, unsalvageable carpet, and a mold infestation can add unnecessary expense and time to the cleanup and restoration. The IICRC-certified team at SERVPRO of Ennis/Red Oak, available 24/7, 365 days a year, responds on the scene in about an hour to inspect and assess the damage and begin the water damage cleanup and restoration project.
For more information about Corsicana, TX, water damage restoration services, email SERVPRO of Ennis/Red Oak at acarey@servpro10932.com or call the office at (972) 937-1494.
