For most retailers, your walk-in is one of the most expensive—and essential—pieces of equipment you own. That’s why taking care of it is so important. Think of it like your yearly check-up at the doctor. Even if everything seems fine, those routine visits help catch small problems before they turn into something serious. Your walk-in cooler or freezer works around the clock, and can’t afford downtime—so it’s better to take care of issues before they start.
In addition to the yearly maintenance check up with a third party trained technician to check refrigerant levels, inspect electrical components, clean the coils, and test the systems (like the defrost cycle). Here are five simple tips to help avoid preventable issues and extend the life of your walk-in.
Five Expert Tips
1. Keep Walk-In Doors Closed
It sounds simple, but it’s crucial. While it may be inconvenient for employees during loading and unloading, leaving the door open allows warm, humid air to rush in. Over time, this can cause condensation, corrosion or freezer joints to buckle. Would you leave your home’s refrigerator door open for 10 to 15 minutes at a time?
2. Inspect Door Gaskets and Heater Wires Weekly
Most people don’t notice cracked seals or malfunctioning heater wires until it’s too late. A quick, weekly check to make sure the gaskets are sealing properly and the door heater is functioning as it should can help you catch small issues before they turn into expensive repairs. That is also a good time to check your strip curtains—or install them if you don’t have them as they act as a barrier that keeps cold air in, warm air out and helps save energy.
3. Drain Line Care
You should inspect and flush your drain annually to prevent clogs that can cause water pooling and system damage. The cooler and freezer drain line carries water from defrosting to a pan for evaporation. If it freezes or becomes clogged, it can lead to leaks or ice buildup. To check the drain line, locate the drain hole at the bottom of the freezer and gently tap or press around it. If it’s frozen or blocked, it may require professional assistance.
4. Clear Space Around the Unit
This is often overlooked but is critical for proper performance. Always maintain 1–2 inches of space around the exterior of your walk-in cooler to ensure proper airflow, prevent mold growth and avoid overheating. Inside the cooler, do not overload shelves or place products too close to the evaporator coil or walls. Keep the area around and beneath the evaporator free of product and packaging. You need space to allow airflow to circulate around a walk-in cooler or freezer so it can run efficiently. Without it, the unit can overheat, waste energy, break down faster, or fail to keep food at safe temperatures.
5. Interior Cleaning
Regularly cleaning your walk-in is essential to prevent contamination, mold and corrosion. Wipe down shelves and floors with mild soap and avoid harsh chemicals and pressure washers that can damage surfaces. It’s important to clean up spills immediately, especially meat, poultry, and seafood fluids because they can quickly tarnish or contaminate other products. Keeping your walk-in clean helps maintain its condition but also ensures you pass health inspections by preventing bad odors and health risks.
Restore Solutions
But let’s face it—things wear out. If your walk-in starts to age, and suddenly it’s not so “cool” anymore. No need to panic because KPS Global has solutions to address some of the common issues you may see.
If you notice visible gaps, bulging seams, or frost/condensation along the panel joints of your walk-in, Batten Strips can often be an effective solution. When panel joints in walk-in coolers or freezers become swollen or separate, gaps are created that allow warm air to enter, leading to condensation, frost and ice buildup, which can damage the unit and increase energy costs. Batten Strips help reseal and reinsulate the joints improving performance and ultimately extending the life of the walk-in.
Made for easy installation, they protect the unit from further damage and enhance its appearance. Batten Strips can be installed inside or outside the walk-in. Made from strong 26-gauge metal with an EPS foam core.
Thermal Liner Panels can extend your walk-in’s lifespan up to five years and increases the R-Value. They are an ideal solution for when the interior surfaces becoming corroded, stained, or damaged. Thermal liner panels can meet NSF standards, add an extra layer of insulation increasing the R-Value and are easy to install over existing panels.
Your walk-in works hard every day, so keeping it in shape is not just smart—it’s essential. With a few simple habits like keeping doors closed, cleaning regularly and checking key components, you can avoid costly repairs and extend its useful life. And if wear and tear does start to show, quick fixes like Batten Strips or Thermal Liner Panels can help bring it back to life without the big price tag of a full replacement.
Don’t replace it—restore it. Contact KPS Global to learn more.
