Freezer defrost while away in Exeter
Professional freezer defrost while away services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£110
Typical Duration
1.5-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Freezer defrosted and deep cleaned while you're away on holiday. Switched off, fully defrosted, thoroughly cleaned, dried, and running again before you're home.
The Perfect Holiday Project
You're going away for a week. Your freezer's a block of ice. You've been meaning to defrost it for months. The drawers barely close anymore.
Here's the thing: you've already run down the food for holiday. The freezer will be empty anyway. Perfect time to get it properly defrosted and cleaned without disrupting your life.
I'll handle it while you're away. You come home to a clean, ice-free, efficient freezer.
💡 Pro tip: Plan to run your freezer down two weeks before holiday - use up the food, save money, and it's ready for defrosting while you're away. Double win.
Why Holiday Timing Works
Here's why this makes sense:
| ✅ While You're Away | ❌ While You're Home |
|---|---|
| Freezer already run down for holiday | Have to eat/throw away loads of food |
| You're not inconvenienced | Kitchen chaos for a whole day |
| Takes as long as it needs | Rushed job, still icy |
| Done before you're home | Still on your to-do list |
What You Get
❄️ The Full Defrost Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Switch Off | Freezer turned off, door opened, towels down |
| Defrost | Left to melt naturally (faster/safer than scraping) |
| Clean | Thoroughly cleaned inside, outside, shelves, seals |
| Dry | Completely dried (moisture causes ice buildup) |
| Restart | Switched back on, running normally before you return |
📦 You're Left With
- Ice-free freezer running efficiently
- Thoroughly cleaned inside and out
- Ready to refill when you're home
Pricing Guide
| Freezer Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small under-counter freezer | 1.5 hrs (plus defrost time) | £85 |
| Standard chest/upright freezer | 2 hrs (plus defrost time) | £110 |
| Large American-style freezer | 2.5 hrs (plus defrost time) | £135 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Time is for cleaning work - defrosting itself happens naturally while off.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Going on holiday - week away or longer trips
✅ Freezer heavily iced up - drawers sticking, ice buildup everywhere
✅ Annual deep clean - keep appliances running efficiently
✅ Moving house soon - want freezer properly clean for new owners
Why Choose Us for Freezer defrost while away in Exeter?
Freezer fully defrosted while you're away
Cleaned thoroughly inside and out
Switched back on and ready to use
Job done before you return home
What to Expect
Step 1: Pre-Holiday Prep
Before you go, we'll confirm access and you'll have run the freezer down or emptied it. I'll plan to start defrost 24-36 hours before you return.
Step 2: Defrost & Clean
I switch off the freezer, let it defrost naturally (safest method), then thoroughly clean every part - shelves, drawers, seals, inside walls. Outside cleaned too.
Step 3: Dry & Restart
Everything dried completely (critical for preventing new ice), then freezer switched back on. It's cold and ready by the time you're home.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to defrost your freezer yourself? Here's how to do it properly:
🔧 What you'll need
- Old towels (loads of them)
- Bucket or bowl
- Warm (not hot) water
- Mild cleaning solution
- Dry cloths
❄️ Defrosting safely
- Switch off and empty completely
- Open door, put towels down to catch water
- Let it melt naturally (DON'T use knives or heaters)
- Change towels as they get soaked
- Expect 3-6 hours depending on ice buildup
🧼 Cleaning properly
- Remove all shelves and drawers, wash separately
- Wipe inside with warm water and mild cleaner
- Pay attention to seals (they get grimy)
- Clean outside while you're at it
- Vacuum coils if accessible (back or bottom)
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using sharp objects to scrape ice (damages cooling elements)
- Hairdryer or heater (can crack plastic or damage seals)
- Not drying thoroughly before switching back on
- Switching on while still wet (makes ice worse)
- Forgetting to clean the seals
🎨 Pro trick: Put a bowl of hot (not boiling) water inside the freezer with door closed for 10 minutes - steam speeds up melting without risking damage. Change water and repeat.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🧊 How often should you defrost? Most freezers need it once or twice a year. If you've got more than 5mm of ice buildup, or drawers are sticking, it's time. Iced-up freezers cost more to run too.
Frost-free freezers: These don't build up ice the same way, but they still benefit from an annual clean - especially the seals and coils.
Older Exeter houses with older appliances? I'm used to dealing with ancient freezers that haven't been defrosted in years. Sometimes it's basically an igloo inside. Takes longer but it's very satisfying getting them properly clean again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why defrost my freezer while I'm away on holiday?
Perfect opportunity - you've emptied it or run it down anyway, you're not there to be inconvenienced, and it can take hours to defrost properly. I'll switch it off, let it defrost, clean it thoroughly, dry it completely, then switch it back on. You come home to a clean, ice-free freezer.
What if there's still food in it?
Ideally it should be empty or nearly empty - that's what makes holiday time perfect for this job. If there's a few bits you can't use up, I can bag them and put in your fridge, or dispose of anything that won't keep. We'll discuss before you go.
How long does the freezer need to be off?
Usually about 24 hours total - few hours to defrost, clean it thoroughly, then it needs to dry completely before switching back on. I'll time it so it's back on and running normally before you return home.
Do you clean the outside and coils too?
Yes - the full service. Inside cleaned properly once ice is gone, outside wiped down, and if your freezer has accessible coils I'll vacuum them (helps efficiency). It's a proper deep clean while I'm there anyway.
What if I'm only away for a weekend?
Not really long enough - freezer needs to be off for 24+ hours ideally. This service works best for week-long holidays or longer trips when you've got time to run the freezer down beforehand.
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