Water was leaking heavily from the walk-in cooler near the fans, but the visible leak was only the first sign of a larger drainage problem. When the customer contacted our office at Arctic Air Inc., we went to the North Charleston, SC, location to trace the source and restore normal drainage before the situation caused more disruption.
What we found connected the cooler leak, a failed heater, a burst freezer drain line, and significant ice buildup. It was a good example of how one clogged line can spread trouble across connected refrigeration equipment.
Finding the Cause Behind the Cooler Leak
We arrived on July 1 and inspected the Trenton walk-in cooler. The cooler drain line was clogged, so we cleared it with nitrogen and flushed it with hot water. That process confirmed the cooler could drain normally again.
Then we looked deeper.
The cooler and freezer drains emptied into the same copper pipe. While the shared line was blocked, water from the cooler backed into the freezer drain. The freezer drain heater had failed, allowing the backed-up water to freeze.
As the ice expanded, it burst the drain line inside the freezer and contributed to heavy ice on the shelving and floor.
Coordinating the Repair With Store Operations
The damaged freezer line and heater needed replacement, but the freezer also had to be empty and powered down so we could remove the ice and complete the repair. That made scheduling part of the plan.
We returned on July 10, but a freezer delivery prevented the work from moving forward. After speaking with Jeremy, we arranged a 6 a.m. return the next morning. That early visit gave us access to the equipment while limiting interference with the store’s daily activity.
Rebuilding and Protecting the Drain Line
On July 11, we disconnected and removed the damaged freezer drain line. We measured and soldered new hard copper pipe from the freezer outlet to the cooler drain connection.
We wrapped the new drain with heater cable, secured the cable, and connected power. Next, we added pipe insulation and secured it with foam tape and duct tape. Two brackets gave the drain added support.
During the work, we also found that the freezer suction line lacked insulation.
We insulated that line to help prevent future ice buildup. We sealed box penetrations with expanding foam, removed debris, dried the floor, restored freezer power, and confirmed the temperature was dropping. The client was satisfied with the completed repair.
Why Regular Refrigeration Service Matters
This project shows why routine commercial refrigeration service matters. A restricted drain or failed heater can begin as a manageable maintenance item, then lead to standing water, ice accumulation, damaged piping, and lost access to refrigerated storage.
Our commercial refrigeration service and maintenance covers coolers, freezers, tanks, and related equipment across the Charleston area. Regular inspections can help identify slow drainage, heater problems, missing insulation, and other warning signs before they grow into larger repairs.
Schedule Commercial Freezer Service in North Charleston
If your North Charleston walk-in cooler is leaking, icing up, or draining slowly, request a service visit from our crew. Call to schedule an inspection before a small drainage issue affects your storage access or business operations.
