Citywide Supply & Service recently responded to an urgent commercial refrigeration call at Chalet Restaurant on Chicago Avenue in River North. The restaurant staff noted that their Norlake walk-in cooler was warming up and that ice buildup was visible on the evaporator coil. Our team arrived promptly to diagnose and restore the system.
Upon inspection, our technicians found the HeatCraft evaporator coil completely iced over, severely restricting airflow and reducing cooling performance. Ice accumulation on an evaporator coil can occur due to:
In this case, both the fans and defrost cycle were verified to be functioning correctly, so our team conducted a full refrigerant system diagnostic.
Our technicians fully defrosted the evaporator coil and performed a detailed inspection. The coil was overdue for a chemical cleaning, a crucial step for maintaining efficiency and preventing premature failure.
We also discovered a compromised fan blade split near the hub. Damaged blades often create noise before failing and, when they break apart, can send sharp fragments into the evaporator tubing—resulting in leaks or complete coil failure. Replacing compromised fan blades early helps prevent costly damage.
Citywide Supply & Service strongly recommends quarterly maintenance for all commercial refrigeration equipment to prevent issues like this from developing.
System readings confirmed that the cooler was low on refrigerant, which can cause the evaporator temperature to drop below freezing, leading to frost or ice buildup.
To locate the source, we conducted a comprehensive leak search of the evaporator, condenser, and line sets. Once the leak was identified and repaired, we evacuated the system and recharged it to manufacturer specifications.
After the repair, recharge, and full coil defrost, the walk-in cooler returned to normal operation with:
Restaurants in River North rely on dependable refrigeration to protect food safety, minimize downtime, and keep operations running smoothly. Regular maintenance—including coil cleaning, refrigerant checks, and leak detection—helps avoid sudden failures and major repairs.
From furnace repair, walk-in cooler service and AC installation to so much more, Citywide Supply & Service is the trusted choice for heating, cooling, and refrigeration in Chicago, Illinois.
Call 773-HOT-COLD today or request service online to schedule your appointment.
Copyright © Citywide Supply and Service. All Rights Reserved
Copyright © Citywide Supply and Service. All Rights Reserved
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