Is water leaking in the refrigerator? If this is the case, you are not alone. Numerous refrigerators develop leaks for a variety of reasons. The good news is that we can assist you in troubleshooting the issue!
If your refrigerator is leaking, you may not need to replace it. There are several possible causes of the problem, and several of them are easily rectified.
Before pulling out the appliance repair tools, check to see if there isn’t a simple fix you can handle on your own.
It is critical to rule out all possible causes of leaks before making repair decisions. The most common cause is a cracked seal or gasket, but other possible causes include a clogged water line or ice maker.
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How To Repair A Refrigerator That Is Leaking Water From Within – Troubleshooting and Diagnosis
The following are some of the most common causes of refrigerator water leaks:
Obstruction of the Defrost Drain
Leaks inside the refrigerator appear to be less serious than water deposits on the kitchen floor. The most common cause of a refrigerator leaking water is a clogged defrost drain.
Although it may not be easy to detect a defrost drain problem, this is one of the easiest issues to fix.
What is defrost drain?
A drain in the refrigerator collects water produced by melting frost and ice as a result of defrosting.
The defrost drain hose tends to suffer from clogs. It is often because of the food particles that are accumulated inside it. When a clog occurs, the hose will be unable to carry away the water that melts from the ice in the freezer compartment. This results in water leaking onto the floor of your freezer.
The defrost drain hose is underneath the freezer compartment, below the produce bin, or behind the unit.
How to fix clogged defrost drain hose?
Don’t let water build up in your unit, or you’ll end up with a costly mess. Cleaning out the drain is the best way to prevent that from happening.
The first step is to find the defrost drain hose. It’s underneath the freezer compartment, below the produce bin, or behind the unit. Check for debris and food particles that may be blocking it. Clear away any obstructions to allow water to flow freely out of your refrigerator back into your house plumbing system.
If you have a blockage on top of in inside of the fridge, make sure that there are no leaks coming from pipes before cleaning them off with an adhesive cleaner like WD-40*. R
emove clogs by pouring hot water down through both sides until clear liquid comes out. If this doesn’t work after two tries, contact a qualified plumber.
- Use a screwdriver or piece of stiff wire to clear the ice from the drain hole.
- Pour warm water into the drain hole with a basting syringe — enough to cover the area where the ice has accumulated.
- Squeeze the basting syringe bulb to force warm water into the drain hole. Repeat if needed until you have removed all of the ice.
An Uneven Refrigerator
Your refrigerator does not have to be perfectly level. Indeed, the front of the refrigerator should be slightly raised to allow for proper coolant flow.
If the coolant cannot flow properly, condensation can form, forming puddles beneath the refrigerator.
Problems associated with an out-of-balance refrigerator are more likely to occur when the refrigerator is first purchased or after it is moved.
Solution
Begin by acquiring a level to ascertain the true level of the refrigerator. The level should be placed on the refrigerator’s floor, not a drawer or shelf.
You may need to adjust the refrigerator’s legs if the level indicates that the refrigerator is not level. You may require assistance moving the refrigerator in order to adjust the legs.
Dirty Drain Pan
One of the most important parts of your refrigerator is its drain pan. The drain pan’s main function is to drain any excess water from the defrost cycle and send it to evaporate in your refrigerator’s evaporator coils.
The pan can accumulate dirt, which interferes with the defrost cycle and causes a leak in your refrigerator.
To clean the drain pan:
- Remove the ice drawer from one side of the fridge and pull out its plastic cover or remove any panels blocking access to it, so you have room for cleaning.
- Pour warm water into the pan’s overflow hole while using either a basting syringe, cup, or pot.
- Using an old rag moistened with hot water, wipe down all sides of the dirty area as well as around it before pouring more warm water over it until clear liquid comes out.
If after many tries this doesn’t work, check for other issues.
Clogged or frozen water supply line defrost drain
Make sure you check the water line that feeds your refrigerator’s ice maker or water dispenser.
This tube can become clogged during use, and if that happens, water won’t reach the fridge.
That’s why it’s important to check this line every so often.
If this tube becomes clogged, a big mess can ensue. For example, if the ice maker is blocked and water doesn’t reach it, then you could end up with very little or no ice in your freezer compartment.
If that happens for an extended period of time, then your fridge will stop working because there won’t be enough refrigerant to keep it cool inside.
- Unplug the fridge and pull it away from the wall slightly to give yourself some extra room.
- Locate the water supply line, which should be clear or braided. It should be located at the bottom of your fridge.’
- Check for any debris in the line, and if there is anything blocking it, clear it out with a long-handled brush or pliers.
- If you smell or see a leak around the connection points, tighten them with a crescent wrench. Plug everything back in and check again for leaks in an hour.
If you are still seeing water leaks, there is a chance that it’s an issue with the water line. Shut off your home’s main water supply and then make sure to shut off the water supply line between the house and your fridge.
Replace the water line.
High Humidity
The problem is that cold air inside the refrigerator will combine with humid air outside until it condenses into water on the floor of your kitchen.
This can be a real pain to clean up, and it’s not just inconvenient for you – it can also lead to mold growth which is bad for your health! Fortunately, there are some things you can do about this issue.
To reduce or avoid leaks from occurring in humid weather, manually empty the drain pan on humid days to keep moisture out of the refrigerator.
If this doesn’t work for you (or if you don’t see any condensation at all), consider installing a dehumidifier inside of your home to help reduce overall moisture levels.
Dehumidifiers are especially helpful because they can be left running continuously without causing damage to other household appliances like air conditioners do!
It’s not uncommon for leaks to happen at one point in time or another, especially if your fridge is a little older.
In some cases, it requires the replacement of old parts and we can help you with that!
We also have tips for avoiding future leaks so feel free to reach out if you need any assistance.
When to Consult the Experts
At some point, you may need to contact a professional to repair the leak. Many people are unfamiliar with household appliances.
If you are unfamiliar with refrigerator maintenance, it is often best to contact a professional immediately.
If you have attempted everything possible to resolve the issue but it persists, you may also require professional assistance.
A professional will inspect the refrigerator’s condition to determine whether it requires replacement or repair. If you’re in the market for a new refrigerator, look for one that bears the ENERGY STAR label and have it professionally installed.
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