The refrigerator is a fairly simple appliance and many small problems can be tackled by anyone with basic handyman skills. However, the presence of (in most cases, toxic) coolant under pressure and the sensitivity of the system itself mean that certain situations cry out for a more experienced hand. Call the repairman when:

+ You hear a slight hissing noise and the refrigerator is not cooling as efficiently as it has been.
+ You feel an oily residue on the floor of the freezer compartment.
+ An accident results in the condenser coils being damaged.
+ The appliance is leaking significant amounts of water and you can’t locate the source of the leak.
+ The outer shell of the refrigerator is sweating.
+ Unit continues to cycle on and off even after you have cleaned the condenser coils.