Hi I accidentally poked a hole as big a one tic-tac in the freezer shelve of my mini-frig. Gas bursted out of it like in the movies for a couple of seconds. I tried plugging it up with a silicone earplug but the freezer and frig doesnt work now and it has that distinct gas smell when I open it up. How can I fix the small hole and is that gas bad for my health?
2006-11-28 11:06:21 · 9 answers · asked by jonsen c 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You are talking about freon gas and once it is gone there is nothing you can do.
Coach
2006-11-28 11:13:44 · answer #1 · answered by Thanks for the Yahoo Jacket 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That escaping gas was the coolant needed to keep the fridge cold. If it was a very old unit, it was freon, which is extremely dangerous to your health. It could kill you by damaging your lungs slowly. It will also contaminate any food you keep in there.
If it was a newer refrigerator, it was probably a different kind of coolant gas in the "R" series...R134, R15, R36...the specific names escape me, but they too, are dangerous to breathe and will contaiminate food.
As someone else mentioned, it could be fixed by a licensed refrigeration company, but because it it a home-use and not a commercial unit, it will cost more to fix it than to buy a new one. In my area, refrigeration techs charge $125/hour MINIMUM for the work, plus the materials, plus recharging the gas, plus the legally-required HAZMAT (HAZardous MATerials) fee.
Buy a new mini-fridge, and throw away any food or open containers that you have in the broken one.
2006-11-28 11:47:06 · answer #2 · answered by devil_bunny_99 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
HVAC Tech.: they're top. you'd be better ideal off procuring a sparkling one. next time don't be in this kind of hurry to defrost, each and every ingredient takes time. The land fills are complete of mini-refrigerators that were defrosted with a pointy interment. think ofyou've got some success if there's a refrigeration college close to through, as they're continuously searching for sophistication initiatives. it really is a worry-free ingredient to fix yet time ingesting. sturdy success!
2016-10-07 22:33:03 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The gas is not good for you. The hole is not good for the mini-frig. In fact, you trashed it! You can't repair it, unless, you know how to weld aluminum. Then you would have to fill it with gas. When you want to defrost the new one, just unplug it for a while, don't use another ice pick on it. Sorry
2006-11-28 11:11:46 · answer #4 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To buy the equipment needed to make this repair would cost more than a new mini fridge. The repair however is made with epoxy. a new dryer must be installed in the system. You will need certification to purchase the refrigerant. A new one costs about $125.00. The math says buy a new one.
2006-11-28 11:19:22 · answer #5 · answered by Lon B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All refrigerants are numbered R something it stands for refrigerant. Even the old gases R12 & R22 have the R symbol. There is no cure to repair your fridge. Remove the door for safety, so no one or anything can get trapped inside it, and get it collected.
2006-11-28 12:22:05 · answer #6 · answered by ask this dummy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm with TC. Put the ice pick down!! You've already killed it.
2006-11-28 11:18:45 · answer #7 · answered by johnnydean86 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its over and done with, let it rest in peace
go out and buy yourself another one. its not worth fixing.
2006-11-28 11:15:31 · answer #8 · answered by Specialist Ed :Þ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a new one.
2006-11-28 12:10:13 · answer #9 · answered by Dawg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋