What happens during a professional fridge regas? (And why DIY kits are a fire hazard)

A Professional Guide to Fridge Regassing

Living in Ballito offers a great  lifestyle, but the climate in the area can be harsh on our home appliances.  When your milk starts spoiling or fridge doesn’t get cold anymore that’s when it becomes time for a regas. Our guide explains what happens during this process and why it’s best to leave it to the experts.

Why do fridges lose gas?

A refrigerator is a sealed system. Under normal conditions, the refrigerant gas should stay inside for the entire lifespan of the appliance. It does not “evaporate” or “get used up” like fuel in a car. If your fridge is low on gas, it means there is a leak.

On the North Coast, several local factors contribute to system failures:

• Coastal Corrosion    Salt is  highly corrosive. It gradually eats away at the copper and steel piping, creating microscopic “pinhole” leaks that are invisible to the naked eye.
• High Humidity Levels: Our humid KZN summers put extreme stress on the compressor. When a system is under constant load, internal pressures rise, which can strain older joints and seals.
• Vibration Stress: Over years of use , the constant vibration of the motor can cause copper lines to rub against the chassis or each other, eventually wearing thin.
• Power Fluctuations: Frequent   coastal power surges can cause the compressor to “kick” violently upon restart, occasionally damaging the delicate soldered joints in the gas line.

The process of Professional Fridge Regas

1. Diagnostic Leak Detection

• Visual Inspection: Technicians look for “oil spots.” Refrigerant travels with lubricating oil; where there is a leak, there is usually a tell tale sign of  oily residue.
• Electronic “Sniffing”: Using high-sensitivity electronic leak detectors that can sense refrigerant in the air.
• Pressure Testing: The technician bypasses the refrigerant and pumps the system with dry nitrogen. By monitoring a gauge, they can confirm if the system is truly airtight before proceeding.

2. The Recovery Phase

• Environmental Responsibility: Legally, technicians cannot vent old gas into the atmosphere. They use a recovery machine to safely extract and store old refrigerant for proper disposal.
• System Flushing: If the old gas was contaminated or “burnt” due to a compressor failure, the lines are flushed with a specialized solvent to remove acidic sludge.

3. Deep Vacuum (The Vital Step)

In the humid Ballito climate, moisture is the ultimate enemy of a cooling system.

• Dehydration: A high-power vacuum pump is used to reach “micron” levels of emptiness. This “boils off” any water molecules inside the pipes.
• Consequence of Skipping: If moisture stays in, it turns to ice crystals inside the internal valves, causing the system to block and the compressor to burn out.

5. Precision Charging by Weight

• Modern fridges are incredibly sensitive. Most require a specific amount of gas—often as little as 50 to 100 grams.
• Technicians use digital scales to charge the system to the exact gram specified by the manufacturer.
• Overcharging leads to “liquid slugging,” which can destroy the motor instantly.

Conclusion: Peace of Mind for Ballito Families

Your refrigerator is one of the most expensive and hardworking appliances in your home. In the Ballito heat, food safety is paramount—bacteria can grow on dairy and meat in just a few hours if temperatures fluctuate.

While a DIY fix might seem like a cost-saver, the risks of fire, compressor failure, and wasted electricity far outweigh the initial savings. Choosing a Trusted Local Expert ensures that your appliance is repaired safely, efficiently, and in accordance with environmental regulations.

Conclusion Is your fridge losing its cool?

Don’t risk a DIY disaster. Keep your home safe and your groceries fresh by letting the professionals handle the pressure.