When humid air meets cold glass, water forms on the surface. A little fog on a hot afternoon is normal. A steady drip, or water collecting inside the cabinet, is not.
Normal condensation
- Fades within minutes once the door is shut
- Shows up after the door stood open a while
- Shows more on the outside in sticky weather
Condensation that deserves attention
- A door that sweats constantly, even when it stays shut
- Water collecting in the cabinet floor or under the unit
- Frost around the gasket or on the back wall
- A cabinet that is warmer than the setting
What to check at home
- Shut a strip of paper in the door at several spots; it should resist being pulled out.
- Wipe the gasket and the cabinet frame, since dirt keeps the seal from meeting.
- Keep bottles off the door and from touching the glass.
- Make sure the cabinet is level and the door swings all the way closed.
- Avoid setting the temperature colder than needed.
What this cannot tell you
Constant moisture can come from a worn gasket, a heater strip that keeps the glass warm no longer working, or a clogged drain. Observation alone does not separate these. We check the seal first, because it is the simplest and the most common.
A door seal on an older unit is often a reasonable repair. A cabinet with rust or a failed cooling system may not be.
On a covered patio or in a garage, shield the unit from direct sun and from the open garage door. Outdoor-style humidity is much harder on seals than a kitchen is.
We will say whether the repair makes sense before we start. See the beverage center page. Your city and county are listed on the service area page.