When a restaurant inside Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills noticed their walk-in freezer struggling to stay cold, they knew something was wrong. Temperatures were creeping up, ice was forming everywhere, and the kitchen staff was constantly checking the freezer just to make sure their ingredients weren’t at risk.
🔑 Key Takeaways – Walk-In Freezer Repair at Hawthorn Mall (Vernon Hills, IL)
- Restaurant inside Hawthorn Mall reported rising temperatures and ice buildup in their walk-in freezer.
- Inspection showed a severely failing evaporator coil with corrosion and refrigerant leakage.
- We replaced it with a new Norlake 099993 evaporator coil for long-term reliability.
- Performed full system tuning: pressures, superheat, subcooling, and airflow checks.
- Freezer now holds temperature perfectly with no frost, stronger airflow, and quieter operation.
That’s when they called Four Elements Service.
The Call: “Our Freezer Just Can’t Keep Up Anymore”
The manager explained that the freezer temperature would spike during busy hours. Shelves near the evaporator had frost thick enough to scrape off by hand, and the fans sounded like they were working overtime.
For a restaurant, this isn’t just an annoyance—it’s a real financial risk. Food spoilage, wasted product, and food safety concerns can shut an operation down quickly.
We scheduled a technician to head over to Hawthorn Mall the same day.
Diagnosing the Problem
Once on site, our technician began with a full inspection:
- Checked suction pressures and box temperature
- Looked for frost patterns and airflow issues
- Inspected the evaporator coil for leaks
- Examined defrost components, fan motors, and wiring
It didn’t take long before the real culprit made itself known.
The evaporator coil was failing — badly.
There were clear signs of corrosion, oil staining, and refrigerant leakage. Ice buildup was blocking airflow, forcing the system to work harder while delivering less cooling. The good news: the compressor and condenser were still healthy.
The best long-term solution?
A new Norlake 099993 evaporator coil.
The Fix: Installing the Norlake 099993 Evaporator Coil
We coordinated with the restaurant to minimize downtime and moved forward with the coil replacement.
1. Pump Down & Refrigerant Recovery
We safely recovered the refrigerant and isolated the damaged coil, following EPA requirements.
2. Removing the Old Coil
The old coil came down from the ceiling, giving us a chance to clean the mounting area and inspect the drain pan and wiring.
3. Installing the New Coil
We installed the Norlake 099993 unit, brazed the new connections with nitrogen purging, secured the fan motors, and verified drain pitch to prevent future water or icing issues.
4. Start-Up & System Tuning
After pulling a deep vacuum, we charged the system correctly and tested:
- Suction/head pressures
- Superheat and subcooling
- Frost distribution
- Overall airflow
Everything checked out perfectly.
The Results: A Freezer That Finally Works Like It Should
Within minutes of startup, the difference was obvious:
- Temperature dropped quickly and stayed rock-solid
- Airflow was strong and even across the box
- No frost buildup on the new coil
- Quieter operation
- A happier kitchen team who could focus on cooking—not babysitting a freezer
We followed up after the repair and confirmed that the freezer has been running flawlessly ever since.
Why Local Businesses Trust Us
Commercial freezers in busy areas like Vernon Hills and Hawthorn Mall are critical to day-to-day operations. A failing evaporator coil can:
- Ruin thousands of dollars in product
- Risk health code violations
- Slow down the entire kitchen workflow
Using the right replacement parts—like the Norlake 099993—and installing them correctly is what keeps businesses running smoothly.
Need Walk-In Freezer Help in Vernon Hills or the Chicago Suburbs?
If your walk-in freezer is:
- Struggling to hold temperature
- Building heavy ice
- Running constantly
- Making unusual noises
we can help.
Need fast commercial refrigeration service in Vernon Hills or the Chicagoland suburbs? Four Elements Service repairs walk-in coolers, freezers, evaporator coils, and all commercial refrigeration systems.
📞 Call: 847-350-8141
🌐 fourelementservice.com
❓ FAQ: Walk-In Freezer Problems & Repairs
Why was ice forming on the evaporator coil?
Ice buildup usually means airflow restriction, a failing fan motor, low refrigerant, or a leaking/failed evaporator coil. Frost blocks airflow and causes temperature spikes.
How do I know if my evaporator coil is failing?
Common signs include rising temperatures, thick frost, oil stains near the coil, constant running, and noisy fans. These symptoms usually require professional diagnosis.
What is the Norlake 099993 evaporator coil?
It is a high-performance evaporator coil commonly used in commercial walk-in freezers. It provides better reliability, airflow, and temperature stability for food storage.
How fast can Four Elements Service repair a walk-in freezer?
We offer fast commercial refrigeration service in Vernon Hills, Hawthorn Mall, and surrounding areas. Many repairs can be done same day, depending on parts availability.
