Systems and methods for performing refresh operations using write/read commands are provided. In one embodiment, a disk drive comprises a disk partitioned into a plurality of refresh zones, a head configured to write data to and read data from the disk, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an access command, to read data from at least one of the refresh zones using the head in response to the access command, to check a condition of the read data, and to determine whether to refresh the at least one refresh zone based on the condition of the read data, wherein the read data includes data from a portion of the at least one refresh zone not being accessed by the access command.