Refrigerator Repairs

[myauq]

my gf inadvertently punctured the refrigerator in our condo, causing gas to escape. it's totally screwed now.

we're in two minds as to whether we should tell the landlord or not, as their risk that we may have to say goodbye to all of our deposit. it's a small one door fridge so it might not be too much to replace. on the other hand if it's fixable we'd prefer that option, and go with a call out repair person.

so a couple of questions:

is this kind of damage repairable?

if so, is it cheap enough to fix in thailand?

and, if so again, who to call?

if not, how the hel_l should we deal with the landlord?

thanks.

[phetaroi]

my gf inadvertently punctured the refrigerator in our condo, causing gas to escape. it's totally screwed now.

we're in two minds as to whether we should tell the landlord or not, as their risk that we may have to say goodbye to all of our deposit. it's a small one door fridge so it might not be too much to replace. on the other hand if it's fixable we'd prefer that option, and go with a call out repair person.

so a couple of questions:

is this kind of damage repairable?

if so, is it cheap enough to fix in thailand?

and, if so again, who to call?

if not, how the hel_l should we deal with the landlord?

thanks.

Honestly. You screwed up. Pay the price.

[johna]

If she punctured is accessible it can be sealed with copper brazing, re-charging the system is easy enough and the total price should not amount to much, you should be able to see small shops in your neighborhood that specialize in fridge repair, just ask them to call at your house.

How did your girl friend manage to puncture the fridge? the compressor/evaporator are all at the back up against the wall?

[ignis]

Were I live theirs options...

The man that delivers the gas is also an electrician has repaired one of my large 2 door fridges and 2 fans & air conditioner, the man at the fish markets is also an electrician and a personal friend, there are 4 other repair workshops in the area.

A local repair shop also will do a call out service but the call out fee is 500 baht before even looking.........

Look in the paper, look at classified on the web, look in second hand shops and buy a 2nd hand one...

Talk to a Thai person near you and ask, they will sure to know who to ask, as here it is mostly a friend or a friend of a friend, and much cheaper than a repair shop and call out service

[buddy]

If she punctured is accessible it can be sealed with copper brazing, re-charging the system is easy enough and the total price should not amount to much, you should be able to see small shops in your neighborhood that specialize in fridge repair, just ask them to call at your house.

How did your girl friend manage to puncture the fridge? the compressor/evaporator are all at the back up against the wall?

Dear All,

The Compressor is normally located at the back (this is assuming it is a vapor compression system not an absorbtion fridge) the condensor is located at the back also.

I am assuming as this is very common that your Girlfriend used a knife to hack off the ice build up on the evaporator (which is accessable from the front) and punctured it and then the refrigerant gas escaped?

These domestic type of evaporators are normally made of aliminium and to repair them even in the West where the Technicians skills are far more advanced is difficult (Aliminium welding is a specialist skill).

So my advice is to purchase a new fridge and inform the landlord of the accident, that way he gets a new fridge and your deposit my still be recoverable.

Good luck.

[ricklev]

I did the same thing in a rented apt. I called Samsung and they took the refridgerator to their shop. They said they couldn't fix it, but replaced the condensor (evaporator?) box for about 2500 baht or so. However, their service and attitude were crap and it took them three weeks to bring the refrigerator back, although they did lend me an old, noisy one to use while they were fixing mine.

Edited May 7, 2009 by ricklev

[myauq]

If she punctured is accessible it can be sealed with copper brazing, re-charging the system is easy enough and the total price should not amount to much, you should be able to see small shops in your neighborhood that specialize in fridge repair, just ask them to call at your house.

How did your girl friend manage to puncture the fridge? the compressor/evaporator are all at the back up against the wall?

Dear All,

The Compressor is normally located at the back (this is assuming it is a vapor compression system not an absorbtion fridge) the condensor is located at the back also.

I am assuming as this is very common that your Girlfriend used a knife to hack off the ice build up on the evaporator (which is accessable from the front) and punctured it and then the refrigerant gas escaped?

These domestic type of evaporators are normally made of aliminium and to repair them even in the West where the Technicians skills are far more advanced is difficult (Aliminium welding is a specialist skill).

So my advice is to purchase a new fridge and inform the landlord of the accident, that way he gets a new fridge and your deposit my still be recoverable.

Good luck.

yep, i suspected it would have been pretty difficult to repair. although i would much rather pay for a service person to fix it with some epoxy or welding, the knowhow and equipment to replace the gas, i think it'd be best to just bite the bullet and buy a new one.

i didn't realise how cheap new ones were until i had a bit of a look-around today. i should be able to escape by paying a few thousand baht for a new one (along with a sincere apology ).

providing nothing else happens before moving out, the deposit will also remain intact.

[remil]

What brand do you have? Call the company and get it repaired by them. Otherwise there not to expensive to buy new. There is nothing worse than a half working refrigerator and dripping water all over the place.

[myauq]

update...

told our landlord about the mishap and showed her pictures of the new models we were planning on buying for a replacement. she naturally liked the most expensive model, so we bought that and arranged to have it delivered today.

we've now got a new fridge, and i'm assuming the landlord will be more likely to be cooperative when it comes time to settle the deposit

only thing was that the delivery people carried the fridge on its side (rather than upright) - up three levels of our condo too. i was suprised that they had no trolley to wheel it in. i told them not to turn it on straight away because the oil will mix with the cooling elements and possibly screw-up the fridge. almost got into an argument with them over this, insisting that it was better to leave it for a few hours before turning on. i explained to the landlord, who explained the reason back to them. strange that they didn't know anything about the correct way to deliver a fridge.