Do you open the door of your cold room to find a thick layer of ice on the walls

the floor or the unit itself? Ice build ups are a big issue for many food businesses. Aside from being unsightly they can also lead to increased stock loss higher energy bills and even a total system failure. This article looks at the reasons why ice tends to form in a cold room and what can be done about it.

ice Is A Problem

Thin layers of frost can be expected in a cold room, but thick deposits of ice can cause several issues. They can also block the airflow and make the room unsafe due to slippery floors.Ice can build up on the coils reducing the cooling efficiency of the room and leading to warmer temperatures than expected.

The Reason For Ice Formation In Cold Rooms

There can be several reasons for the appearance of ice deposits in a cold room, but in most cases it is caused by a single factor. Warm, moist air mixing with the cold air inside causes the room to sweat and eventually form patches of frost. Over a period of time the patches of frost grow into thick layers of ice.

The reasons why there may be warm air and moisture in the cold room include:

Reason 1: Faulty Door Seals

place to check is the door seal. Over time the door seal made from rubber or plastic can dry out and crack. This allows warm air to penetrate the cold room.Look for cracks or patches of ice around the door edge or inside the frame. The simplest solution is to replace the seal.

Reason 2: Doors Are Often Open

Every time the door is opened, warm air from outside is allowed into the cold room. In a commercial settingIt is important to remind staff to close the door as soon as they have accessed what they need. In a very busy environment rapid roll doors can be installed. They open and close quickly and reduce the amount of warm air entering the room.

Reason 3: Defrost Malfunction

The evaporator coils require regular defrosting to keep the cold room operating efficiently. Basically a cold room goes through a cycle of cooling and defrosting to remove the layer of ice that inevitably forms on the coils. There is a built in system to do that automatically at regular intervals. If the system fails, the evaporator coils can become completely encased in thick layers of ice. If the timer heater or sensor fails then the engineer can identify the fault and replace the necessary parts.

Reason 4: Dirty Or Blocked Coils

Coils can become dirty or blocked restricting the airflow. The coils can also become wet leading to the formation of ice.Ask your engineer to clean the coils during the maintenance visits.

Reason 5: Restricted Air Flow

Cold air needs to be able to circulate freely through the cold room. If the flow of air is restricted, it can cause pockets of warm air to develop in certain areas of the room. This leads to the formation of ice in those particular warm spots.

Reason 6: Hot Food Or Drinks

Hot food emits a tremendous amount of moisture. This can cause ice build up in the fridge. It is important not to place hot food or drinks directly in the cold room or fridge.Allow food and drinks to cool down to room temperature before storing them in a cold room.

How To Remove Ice From Cold Room

Avoid using sharp objects to remove large chunks of ice, as this may puncture the coil and cause a refrigerant leak. Do not try and defrost the coils by pouring boiling water over them. Turn off the unit and allow the ice to melt naturally. Move the stock to another storage facility and call an engineer to identify the cause of the build up. Removing the ice without investigating the cause is a temporary fix at best. The ice will almost certainly return.

How To Prevent Ice Build Up In Cold Room

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to ice build up in a cold room. Regular servicing will ensure that there are no weak seals, dirty coils or faulty defrost mechanisms. The engineer can also clean the coils, test the seals and perform a pressure test. The engineer should be called in at least once a year to inspect and service the unit.

When To Contact An Engineer To Deal With Ice Build Up

You should call an engineer if:

• There is a thick layer of ice on the coils
• The ice keeps coming back even after being removed
• The cold room is unable to maintain a consistent temperature

Good cold room service  can identify the problem and resolve it quickly. In the case of an emergency, emergency cooling supportcan respond immediately.

How To Choose The Right Team

It is advisable to establish a relationship with a reliable organisation. Ask them if they are members of Refcom before requesting a quote. Ensure that you get a full breakdown of costs in writing before any engineers turn up on site.

Why Choose Coldtec

ColdTec has been providing a wide range of industrial refrigeration services  for the past 15 years. Their certified technicians carry the essential spares with them, such as digital controllers fan motors and expansion valves. Most faults can be rectified on the first visit.

The team is F-Gas certified and certified by Refcom and ISO 9001:2015 approved. Customers are provided with a full quote in writing before any work commences. ColdTec is based in Surbiton and provides its refrigeration services throughout the country.

FAQs

Why is there ice on my cold room floor?

Ice can form on the floor of your cold room if there is a leaky door or a drip from the unit. In the case of a freezer room, it is likely that the floor protection has failed.

Can I remove ice from the coils?

Avoid using sharp objects to remove ice from the coils. Always contact an engineer or wait for the ice to melt on its own when the machine is turned off.

Conclusion

 Door seals can dry out and crack allowing warm air to penetrate the room. Doors can be left open unnecessarily and the defrost mechanism can fail. The coil can become dirty and airflow can be restricted. Panels can also be damaged causing warm air to seep in.Deal with the cause of the ice build up and not just the effects. Get the machine serviced and if the build up continues, contact an engineer.

Contact Us

Name: ColdTec Cooling Service

Phone:[020 3773 1250  +442037731250

Email: info@cold-tec.co.uk

Address: Unit 7 177 Hook Road Surbiton KT6 5AR

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