Refrigerator & Freezer Repair in San Rafael & Marin County

Most refrigerator calls fall into three groups: the unit is not holding temperature, it is leaking or icing up, or the ice maker has stopped. Each has a short list of likely causes, and the job on the first visit is to prove which one it is rather than swap parts until the symptom goes away.

On a no-cool call we check whether the compressor and condenser fan are running, feel for airflow from the evaporator fan, look at the evaporator coil for a frost pattern that points to a defrost failure, and read the control’s fault history on models that store one. Those checks narrow the fault considerably, but a symptom alone does not identify the failed part; some faults need further testing or a second visit before we can say what failed.

Symptoms and likely causes

Built-in refrigerators

Built-in and integrated units (Sub-Zero, KitchenAid built-in, Viking, Thermador and Fisher & Paykel columns) are a large share of our refrigeration work in Marin. They are designed for long service lives and sit in a custom cabinet opening, so repair is often worth pricing before replacement is considered. The condenser is often at the top behind a grille and needs cleaning more often than owners expect. We diagnose these in place; most cannot simply be pulled forward.

Sealed-system faults

If the compressor runs but the evaporator stays warm or only partly frosts, the problem may be a refrigerant leak, a restriction, or a weak compressor. That is a different class of repair from a fan or defrost part, and on an older freestanding refrigerator it can cost close to a replacement. We confirm it before recommending it and tell you plainly when it is not worth doing.

Repair or replace?

There is no rule by part. Whether a repair makes sense depends on what the diagnosis finds, the refrigerator’s age and overall condition, whether parts are still available, and the total cost compared with replacement. A fan, relay, sensor, valve or defrost repair is often reasonable; a control board or sealed-system repair on an older freestanding unit may not be. We give you the total before you decide. For built-ins the comparison often favors repair: one customer’s 27-year-old built-in was diagnosed the morning after the call and running again within days (repair record).

Brands we work on

Brand pages cover model-specific faults and real jobs.

Related repair records

Troubleshooting guides

Refrigerator not cooling: what to check first · Sub-Zero not cooling · GE refrigerator error codes

Diagnostic fee and warranty

UniFix Appliance Repair diagnostic visits start at $85. The diagnostic fee varies by appliance type, brand, location, and appointment requirements. We confirm the fee before scheduling. If you approve the repair, the diagnostic fee is applied toward it. The repair is quoted before any work starts. Repairs carry a written warranty on parts and labor; the term is stated on your invoice. How repair costs work.

How a visit works

1. Book. Call (415) 494-7882 or use the form below. Tell us the brand, model and what the appliance is doing; we confirm the diagnostic fee and an arrival window before scheduling. Same-day appointments when available.
2. Diagnose. The technician tests the appliance in your home and explains what failed and why.
3. Approve the price. You get the repair price before any work starts, and decide whether to go ahead.
4. Repair or order parts. Fans, relays, sensors, water valves and defrost parts are common enough that the part is sometimes on the truck. Built-in parts and sealed-system work usually mean a second visit; you get the lead time before you approve.

Before you book

• Find the model number. It is usually on a label inside the fresh-food compartment (side wall or ceiling) or behind the bottom kick plate; on many built-ins it is behind the top grille. A photo of the label lets us check parts before the visit.
• Don't defrost it yet. Call us before unplugging or defrosting; ice buildup is evidence the technician needs to see. Photos of frost, ice, water or error codes help.
• Keep the doors closed. Per USDA food-safety guidance, a closed refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours without cooling, a full closed freezer about 48 hours. Move perishables to a cooler if it has been longer.
• Note what is warm. Fresh-food side only, freezer only, or both; how long it has been happening; any new noise, ice buildup or water on the floor.
• Clear the access. Built-ins are diagnosed where they stand, so make sure the top grille or bottom kick plate can be reached.

Common questions

Should I defrost the refrigerator before the appointment?

Please call us first. Frost and ice on the evaporator are part of the evidence, and defrosting can hide the pattern the technician needs to see. Keep the doors closed, move perishables to a cooler if needed, and take photos of any frost, ice, water or error codes. If you have to defrost to save food, tell the technician.

Do you repair ice makers?

Yes. Most ice maker failures are the water inlet valve, a frozen fill tube, or the ice maker module itself. Low water pressure from a clogged filter is worth ruling out first.

How much is the diagnostic visit?

UniFix Appliance Repair diagnostic visits start at $85. The diagnostic fee varies by appliance type, brand, location, and appointment requirements. We confirm the fee before scheduling. If you approve the repair, the diagnostic fee is applied toward it. You get the repair price before any work starts.