If you can see pools of water around your commercial refrigerator, then you'll likely worry that the unit has a problem. You don't necessarily have a major fix ahead of you. However, you should work out why water has collected outside the unit. Where does this water come from?

Door and Seal Problems

Refrigeration units should have doors that close firmly and seal tightly. These doors typically have internal gaskets around them. These gaskets create an airtight seal that keeps cold air in the unit and warm air out of it.

If refrigerator doors don't fully close or have a problem with a seal, then you might see some water on the floor around the unit. When warm external air encounters cold internal air, it can create moisture that ultimately falls to the ground. You might also notice some water inside the refrigerator, perhaps in food compartments.

Check that the door closes easily and tightly. Examine the gasket seals for signs of damage or movement. If you spot problems in either of these areas, then you need to fix the door or replace the seals to restore an airtight fit.

Leveling Problems

Refrigeration units should stand on level ground; they need to be completely upright. If a refrigerator stands on an uneven floor, then it will tilt.

Even a minor tilt can affect the smooth running of the unit. For example, excess moisture should run out of the refrigerator and into a drainage pan. This water doesn't stay in the pan for long, it either evaporates or absorbs into a liner material.

If your refrigerator tilts, then the pan might not be flat. Water might pool and start to spill over. The pan can't deal with the uneven water level quickly enough.

If you level the refrigerator, then the water might not leak out of its pan. However, sometimes, these leaks are a sign of a problem with an evaporator unit. If the unit's heating mechanism or compressor stops working, then the pan can't deal with excess water. It collects in the pan until it spills over.

Humidity Problems

Refrigeration units have to work harder to keep things cool if the atmosphere around them is hot and humid. For example, a refrigerator might struggle in a restaurant kitchen if it is close to a cooking area. It might not operate at full functionality if not enough ventilation is around the unit or in the kitchen itself.

If your refrigerator has to deal with a hot, steamy, or badly ventilated environment, then the pools of water might be excess moisture. You might be able to see moisture on the outside of the unit or in its door gaskets. This then drips down on the floor.

If humidity is a problem, you might need to move the refrigerator to a cooler location. Or, you might need to improve ventilation around it.

Refrigerant Leak Problems

Liquid that pools outside a refrigerator isn't always water. Sometimes, the refrigerant gas in a unit leaks and creates pools of fluid. This fluid might appear close to the unit or a little way away from it. It is typically oily.

Other signs of a refrigerant leak include a chemical smell around the refrigerator. It might also run all the time if it has to deal with reduced refrigerant levels or a lack of pressure because of a leak.

You shouldn't try to fix a refrigerant leak yourself. You need to call out a professional contractor with the training and skills to manage these substances.

If you think you might have a refrigerant leak or can't work out why water continues to pool around your refrigerator, then contact A M Refrigeration. We can diagnose the problem and get your unit up and running again quickly.