A leaking walk-in cooler can create numerous problems, including spoiled inventory and mold growth, so it’s essential to act quickly and identify the cause to resolve the issue. You can also hire a commercial refrigerator repair expert to inspect your walk-in and address the leakage issue. So, here are some reasons why your walk-in cooler is leaking water.

Reasons Why Your Walk-In Cooler Is Leaking Water

Incorrect Temperature Setting

Let’s begin with a simple cause. If the set temperature is not ideal, the walk-in may become too cold or too warm, leading to leaks.

Why? Well, if the temperature is set too low, the drain line can freeze. So, there won’t be a way for the water to leave. It will then pool on the floor. On the other hand, if the temperature is set too high, there will be excessive condensation. Water will drip from walls, ceiling, and other surfaces, leading to a large volume of water that the drain line can’t quickly drain. So, a lot of water may pool on the floor.

Therefore, check the temperature setting. The ideal temperature for walk-in coolers is 34°F to 38°F (1°C to 3°C). Remember that walk-in freezers require lower temperatures. For walk-in freezers, the optimum temperature is 0°F to -10°F (-18°C to -23°C).

If you have set the correct temperature and there is still leakage, look for other causes mentioned here.

Drain Line Issues

A common cause of puddles of water on the walk-in cooler floor or around the unit is drain line issues. A regular amount of condensation buildup is normal in walk-in coolers. That’s how they work. However, if this moisture is not draining properly, this will create problems. You will notice standing water on the floor, producing a stale smell and mold growth that can spoil the inventory.

Common drain problems in walk-in coolers are:

Clogged drain line: Over time, debris and food particles may block the drain line, stopping the water from draining. Sometimes, the drain line is blocked by the water inside it freezing. So, inspect the drain line and run warm water through the lines to remove clogs and melt ice. You can also use the manufacturer-recommended detergent. But remember to never pour boiling water in the drain line.

Damaged drain line or drain pan: The drain line or drain pan could be damaged. A drain pan is what collects moisture from the evaporator coils. These coils are usually behind the fans you see on the walls of the cooler. So, check the drain line and drain pan for damage.

Improper Drain Installation: If the walk-in or the drain line wasn’t installed properly, it will create drain issues from day one. So, if this is the case, then consult the team that installed your walk-in.

Dirty Or Damaged Door Gasket

As you know that the walk-in door has a seal that ensures the interior stays cool. That’s possible with the gasket around the door. It’s a plastic or rubber seal. However, it can get dirty or wear over time. When it does, the door will shut, but it won’t be completely closed. So, cool air will keep leaking outside.

This will cause temperature fluctuations, impeding the ability of the walk-in to cool the interior optimally. This, in turn, will lead to excessive condensation. It means there will be a whole lot more moisture to drain, so a lot will stand on the floor and may also leak through the door. This will appear like the walk-in is leaking water.

To fix this problem, inspect and clean the gasket. However, if it’s too hard, warped, or not closing properly, hire an expert to replace the walk-in cooler gasket. You can test the gasket with a dollar bill. Keep a dollar bill on the edge of the door and close the door. Now, try to pull out the dollar bill. If it slides out, there is enough space for cool air to escape.

Thermostat Calibration Issues

A walk-in thermostat can lose its calibration over time or due to improper service. Because of this, the thermostat won’t read the correct temperature. So, the thermostat may signal the walk-in to cool when not required or signal it to stop cooling when it’s not cool enough.

More simply, even when you have set the correct temperature, the walk-in may be too cool or too warm.

Now, this is the sign of many walk-in problems. To ensure the culprit is the thermostat, place a food-grade thermometer inside the walk-in for 10-15 minutes. After that, compare the temperature readings. If there is a difference of more than 2 degrees, the thermostat may be miscalibrated or it could even be faulty. Have an expert recalibrate the thermostat.

Faulty Thermostat

Another thermostat problem is a malfunctioning thermostat. It’s different from a miscalibrated thermostat because the temperature changes with a faulty thermostat could be sudden and abrupt. If you keep a thermometer in the walk-in and compare the temperature in regular intervals, the difference you notice in their temperatures won’t be stable. It may change. Moreover, the response of the thermostat to temperature changes will be delayed.

That being said, the issues a faulty thermostat can cause are similar to those of a miscalibrated one. The walk-in may become too cool or too warm, or may not cool at all. Any of these problems can lead to water leakage, among other issues.

So, whether you think the thermostat is miscalibrated or faulty, hire an expert to inspect the problem and fix it. When the thermostat is faulty, a replacement is usually the best option.

Frozen Evaporator Coils

Evaporator coils are near the fans, inside a box, on the walls or the ceiling. They play a critical part in keeping the interior cool. However, due to many reasons, they can get frozen, which disrupts the cooling performance of the walk-in.

How does this cause the walk-in to leak water? Frozen evaporator coils don’t stay frozen. They melt when the defrost cycle kicks in or when the door is kept open for a long time. So, there is suddenly a lot of water to drain than the drain line can handle. This leads to water leakage.

Overstuffed Walk-In Cooler

If there is way more inventory stored in the walk-in than its capacity, it will block the airflow and the evaporator coil. This can freeze the evaporator coils. As stated above, frozen evaporator coils can cause puddles of water on the walk-in cooler’s floor.

Moreover, a lot of inventory may block the drain, leaving nowhere for the water to go. Other than that, there can be increased condensation due to a higher volume of products. And more condensation means more water.

Therefore, make sure that your cold storage room is not overstuffed and there is enough clearance between the food items/racks and the evaporator fan and coils.

Refrigerant leakage

There is refrigerant inside the coils that takes part in the entire refrigeration process. If it leaks from the coils due to holes or cracks in the coils, the unit won’t cool properly. However, the evaporator coil may freeze. There will begin a freeze-thaw cycle that will lead to water on the floor anytime you open the door.

Other Causes

Other causes that can cause water leakage in a walk-in cooler are:

• Dirty condenser unit and coil
• Defrost cycle problems
• Walk-in walls or floor insulation issues
• Improperly installed walk-in

Conclusion

Many problems can cause a walk-in to leak water, so look for simpler things. like incorrect temperature settings, a dirty gasket, and overstuffing. However, if fixing these issues doesn’t resolve the water leakage problem, call in a walk in cooler repair Fairfax technician.