Commercial Refrigeration Repair in Detroit Metro

Refrigeration failures are emergencies — spoilage starts in hours, not days. Big Mike’s prioritizes refrigeration calls because we know what’s at stake:

• Standard response: Same-day during business hours (Mon–Sat 9 AM – 5 PM ET)
• Most Wayne County calls: On-site within 2-3 hours
• Maintenance contract holders: Expedited response, after-hours dispatch available

When you call, have your equipment model and serial numbers ready — we can often have the likely parts on the truck before we arrive.

Walk-in cooler repair pricing depends on the failed component. Typical Detroit pricing:

• Service call/diagnostic: $79 (credited toward repair)
• Door gasket replacement: $200–$400
• Defrost timer or thermostat: $250–$500
• Condenser fan motor: $350–$650
• Evaporator fan motor: $300–$550
• Refrigerant leak repair + recharge: $500–$1,500
• Evaporator coil replacement: $800–$2,000
• Compressor replacement: $1,500–$4,000+ depending on tonnage

All work includes written estimates before service begins. No surprise invoices.

Six most common causes for a walk-in cooler not holding temperature:

1. Worn door gaskets — cold air leaking out. Usually $200-$400 fix.
2. Dirty condenser coil — system can’t reject heat. Cleaning solves it.
3. Iced-up evaporator coil — stuck defrost cycle. Defrost timer/heater repair needed.
4. Low refrigerant from a leak — needs leak detection + EPA 608 recharge.
5. Failing compressor — the expensive culprit.
6. Failed fan motor — evaporator or condenser fan motor reducing heat transfer.

We diagnose all six in one $79 service call. Don’t wait — every hour above proper temp risks inventory.

Most common ice machine failures by brand:

• Manitowoc: Water inlet valve, scale buildup on evaporator, harvest sensor
• Hoshizaki: Float switch, water filter, bin thermostat
• Scotsman: Water curtain, pump motor, gear motor
• Ice-O-Matic: Water level probe, evaporator thermostat

Universal causes across brands: dirty condenser coils, water supply issues, low refrigerant, scale and mineral buildup (especially common in Detroit hard water), failed harvest cycle.

Most ice machine repairs run $250–$800. Annual deep cleaning extends machine life and is required by most warranties — we can include it in a maintenance contract.

Yes — remote condensing systems are a specialty. Remote setups put the condenser outside or in a separate equipment room while the evaporator stays inside the cooler or display case. Common in:

• Grocery stores (long line runs to multiple cases)
• Larger convenience stores
• High-volume restaurants
• Walk-ins with outdoor compressor placement

Brands we service: Heatcraft, Russell, Bohn, Copeland, Zero Zone, Tecumseh, Bitzer.

Common remote system work: refrigerant leak detection across long line runs, compressor service, condenser fan and coil maintenance, expansion valve service, defrost troubleshooting across separated components. EPA 608 certified for all refrigerant handling.

Repair-vs-replace decision factors:

• Age: Walk-ins typically last 15–20 years with good maintenance
• Refrigerant type: R-22 systems (phased out 2020) are expensive to refrigerant-service — replacement often makes more sense within 2-3 years of any major repair
• Repair cost vs replacement: If you’re looking at $3,000+ in repairs on a 15+ year old unit, replacement math usually wins
• Energy efficiency: New units use 30-40% less electricity
• Refrigerant compliance: Newer EPA-required refrigerants (R-448A, R-449A, R-407A) work better in modern equipment

We give you both numbers — repair quote and replacement quote — and let you decide. No commission, no upsell pressure.

All major brands across every refrigeration category:

Walk-ins & reach-ins: True, Beverage-Air, Traulsen, Continental, Turbo Air, Master-Bilt, Kolpak, Norlake, American Panel, Imperial, Zero Zone

Ice machines: Manitowoc, Hoshizaki, Scotsman, Ice-O-Matic, Follett, Cornelius

Refrigeration components: Heatcraft, Bohn, Russell, Copeland, Tecumseh, Bitzer, Emerson

Display cases: Hill Phoenix, Hussmann, Tyler, Federal, Structural Concepts

Even off-brand or 20+ year-old equipment — we can usually source parts. Send us the nameplate info when you call.

Refrigerant leak repair is a structured process — done right, it lasts; done wrong, you’re calling us back in 3 months:

1. System pressure check to confirm leak
2. Electronic leak detection or UV dye injection to pinpoint location
3. Pump down and isolate the leaking component
4. Repair or replace the leaking part (evaporator coils, condenser coils, line set joints, valve cores, brazed fittings)
5. Pressure test and evacuate system to deep vacuum
6. Recharge with proper refrigerant amount per nameplate
7. Performance verification

Typical cost: $500-$1,500 for accessible leaks, $1,500-$4,000+ for coil replacement.

Warning: Adding refrigerant without finding the leak is illegal under EPA Section 608 — and a waste of money since it’ll leak right back out. We always locate and properly repair leaks. Many uncertified shops just top off and walk away.

Yes — refrigeration maintenance contracts are highly recommended for restaurants and high-volume retail. Inventory protection is real money.

What’s included:

• Scheduled quarterly or biannual visits
• Condenser coil cleaning (critical — dirty coils cause 80% of compressor failures)
• Door gasket inspection and replacement
• Refrigerant pressure verification
• Electrical and control inspection
• Defrost cycle testing
• Ice machine deep cleaning (required by most warranties)

Maintenance customer benefits:

• Priority emergency response
• Discounted repair labor rates
• After-hours dispatch availability
• No surprise breakdowns = no lost inventory

Typical contracts run $400-$2,000+ annually depending on equipment count.

Yes — we know restaurant and c-store peak hours can’t wait. When a walk-in is down during service, we focus on the fastest path to temperature recovery:

• Quick diagnosis — most problems identifiable in 15-30 minutes
• On-truck parts when possible (common gaskets, capacitors, fan motors)
• Temporary workarounds while parts are sourced if needed (ice rentals, cold storage transfers)
• Inventory protection guidance — what to move where, what temperature inventory is safe at what duration, when to contact insurance for spoilage

The goal is minimum revenue loss, not just minimum repair time. Inventory protected during the repair is the whole point.

Yes — we service multi-location refrigeration accounts for convenience store chains and small restaurant groups across Detroit Metro. Features:

• Single dispatch contact across all locations
• Centralized billing with location coding
• Consistent service standards across all sites
• Digital service records per location for audit and reporting
• Standardized maintenance schedules

Bonus: Refrigeration is often paired with HVAC service for one-call coverage at convenience stores — same tech, same visit, both systems checked. New chain and franchise accounts welcome.

Yes — and this matters more for refrigeration than for almost any other trade.

EPA Section 608 federally requires technicians to be certified to handle, recover, or recycle refrigerants. Many handymen, general contractors, and even some appliance repair services aren’t 608 certified — it’s illegal for them to touch your refrigerant.

Big Mike’s credentials:

• EPA 608 Certified (Universal — covers all refrigerant types and equipment sizes)
• Michigan Mechanical Licensed
• BBB Accredited Business
• Fully insured with general liability and workers comp (COI available for property managers)
• Registered with all Wayne County cities

License numbers available on request — we’ll show them when we arrive.