Discovering a small puddle on your kitchen floor from your refrigerator can be quite baffling. If you’re wondering why your refrigerator is leaking water and seeking practical solutions, you’ve come to the right place.
You may be able to save a sizable sum of money by using these simple fixes. Furthermore, you won’t be required to purchase a variety of new tools; in fact, the majority of these solutions don’t even need any new tools.
In this guide, we’ll delve into the common causes of refrigerator leaks and provide practical steps to address and rectify this issue.
Before you start tearing your fridge apart, consider this
Knowing the source of the leak and what causes a fridge to leak will help you get your refrigerator up and running as soon as possible. The specialists at The Man With a Wrench are professionals at repairing all makes, models, and types of refrigerators. Leaking fridges will likely create issues in the following areas:
- Interior defroster drain line issue—internal water leak.
- Rear water leak: ice maker or water line issue.
- The drain tube clogs, causing a front water leak.
- Drain pan issue in bottom centre.
Your refrigerator might not be level
The level of your refrigerator is essential. Water leaking may result from buying a new fridge, moving, or renovating your kitchen. Refrigerators aren’t level by design. The front should sit 1/4 to 1/2 inch higher than the back. This purposeful slant from front to back allows coolant flow unimpeded, which keeps temperatures low. Coolant may collect in pipes when it encounters circulation barriers, causing the refrigerator to pump harder. This tension causes excess condensation around the coils, generating water droplets and perhaps causing a refrigerator leak.
Use a level on top of your refrigerator to ensure horizontal alignment (avoid uneven inner shelves). Afterwards, rotate the level to check front-to-back alignment and ensure the appliance is slightly elevated.
Common Fixes
Start by turning off the fridge and the valve. These precautions protect the refrigerator and yourself during the repair. After taking these steps, check the water line for damage. If the water line is damaged, a replacement is needed. An electrician or appliance professional can quickly replace the water line with a wrench and a new one.
If the water line appears intact but is blocked, ice is likely to be to blame. In such cases, disconnecting the refrigerator for four hours will melt the ice and clear the blockage.
Your fridge might have a blocked defrost drain
Your appliance may overheat due to a clogged defrost drain resulting from food particles, frozen meals, ice, or a combination of these. In many refrigerators, the freezer drain is in the rear. Like an improperly levelled refrigerator, a clogged drain can cause condensation on the coils and water dripping on the floor. Fixing this blockage should stop the leak.
Open the freezer and check the rear wall defrost drain for clogs. If freezer objects are blocking the drain, reposition them to allow airflow. Allow a day or two to see if the problem is fixed. Crumbs or ice may block the leak if it persists. Both scenarios require temporarily transferring food from the fridge and freezer to a micro-fridge or chest freezer. During this process, unplug your fridge.
Common Fixes
Try melting the ice that has gathered first to solve this problem. You can add warm water to a turkey baster or other similar container. Pour the warm water into the freezer’s drain slowly. An alternative strategy is to use a pipe cleaner or a wire hanger to break up and dislodge the ice if this procedure does not produce the desired results. More drastic measures may be required if the obstruction is severely embedded within the hose. To access and remove the blockage effectively, you might need to move the refrigerator and detach the valve.
There may be a problem with the water supply line
Your water supply line may be the source of the problem if your refrigerator is level and the drain is not blocked, yet you still notice what seems to be a leak in your refrigerator. (Other symptoms of a broken water line include inconsistent ice creation and slow water flow when using the fridge door to dispense water.) In this case, it’s crucial to disconnect the fridge first before performing a deeper look. As a precaution, Move your perishable things to a cooler or another freezer.
Examine the plastic hose that goes down the back of the refrigerator and is connected to your ice maker and water filter by gently pulling the device away from the wall. A leak is evident if there are indications of water dropping or gathering along the hose’s exterior. You now have the choice of asking a repair professional for help. You could also buy and replace a new hose if you’re confident in fixing the problem.
Common Fixes
Start by shutting off the fridge. You must then turn off the shut-off valve. These safety procedures are essential to protect the refrigerator and yourself during repair. To implement these safety measures, thoroughly inspect the water line for damage. If the waterline is severely damaged, replace it. An electrician or appliance specialist can quickly replace a water line with a wrench.
If the waterline appears intact but is blocked, ice accumulation is likely to blame. In this case, fixing the problem is easy. Unplug the refrigerator and leave it for four hours to melt the ice and clear the obstruction.
You may need to replace the drain pan
Investigate more if you still see water leaks from your refrigerator’s bottom. This thorough inspection could save you a lot of money on a refrigerator technician. Examine the space under your refrigerator and carefully remove the plastic drain pan. A small quantity of water is typical in the pan, and the condenser fan should help it evaporate. However, if a break or deformation allows water to escape the pan and form a pool on the floor, you must act. Visit a hardware store for a replacement.
Inspect Ice Maker
If the ice maker’s entrance tube is clogged, the refrigerator may also start to leak. Remove the ice maker after unplugging the fridge. Unscrew the fasteners, then unhook the wiring to inspect it. Use a hair dryer to melt ice in the inlet tube after the dripping stops.
Inlet Valve
The back of your fridge’s input valve controls the ice maker’s water flow. To check the inlet valve, turn off the water at the saddle valve, usually under your fridge in the basement, and unhook the supply tubing.
When someone turns on the saddle valve while holding the tube over a bucket, the inlet valve is likely broken if water leaks from the tube. Unscrew the cover panel and valve screws to fix the inlet valve. Next, unhook the wiring and water line nuts. Repeat the instructions in reverse to install the new valve.
Water Dispenser
Air that has become trapped in the water line may be why the water dispenser is dripping. This situation may lead to a buildup of pressure that forces some water to leak through the dispenser’s hole. If this occurs, try running the water dispenser continuously for at least three minutes.
Evaporator Fan Motor
A broken evaporator fan motor may prevent the freezer from becoming cold enough, which could eventually cause leaks. The evaporator fan motor, typically located inside the freezer, is prone to obstruction, resulting from debris building up behind it or dust collecting.
Due of this blockage, condensation may build up on the coils and finally develop into water droplets that fall to the floor. You can use a large brush to clean the coils and solve the problem.
Door Seals
If the freezer door is not shutting correctly, it can cause leaks. Inspect your door seals and gaskets for tears and cracks. The gaskets must be changed as soon as you detect them.
Something Else In Your Refrigerator Is Leaking, Like A Carton
It could be anything as simple as a bag, can, or other liquid-containing container leaking. Your first course of action when determining the source of an internal leak should involve removing all food and products from your fridge, in addition to using sensible food storage techniques to extend the shelf life of your groceries and avoiding putting items that shouldn’t be stored in a refrigerator. After that, make sure the drawers and shelves are completely dry.
The Weather Is Particularly Humid
When you open the fridge amid high humidity, more moisture enters. This moisture condenses and collects. Over time, the drain or drip pan may become wet, causing the refrigerator to overflow. If this happens, empty the pan daily, especially in hot and humid weather. In cases of rising humidity, try buying a fridge dehumidifier that may be installed inside.
What Are Signs Of a Freon Leak In a Refrigerator?
Unlike water leaks, Freon (gas) leaks can cause refrigerator leaks. The refrigerator’s contents appear warm; the motor emits a loud and continuous sound; your electricity bill spikes; you or your family members experience eye irritation, breathing difficulties, headaches, or nausea; or you smell unusual chemical odours when you open the refrigerator. If a Freon leak occurs, turn off the appliance and call a technician immediately.
When to Call the Professionals
The best line of action might be to seek the advice of a specialist, especially if you are unfamiliar with refrigerator maintenance. It is also wise to seek expert assistance if you have tried everything to cure the problem, but it persists.
An expert will carefully examine the appliance’s state to decide whether replacement or repair is necessary. If a new refrigerator is required, go for one with the ENERGY STAR label and ensure it is installed correctly for maximum effectiveness.