Help! My fridge is leaking water
Your fridge is the core of your home. It keeps your food fresh and ready for use and makes sure leftovers are safe for tomorrow. That’s why there is nothing more frustrating than discovering your fridge is leaking water from the bottom.
Why Is My Refrigerator Leaking Water?
If you wake up in the middle of the night to discover the fridge leaking water on the floor, there are a few simple hacks to try and fix the problem yourself. Before beginning any work on your fridge it is important to make sure your fridge is unplugged and moved away from the wall.
Level The refrigerator – Take a step back from your refrigerator to ensure that it is sitting level. A fridge that sits on a lean can create pockets of water in the water lines that eventually spillover. There are small feet on your fridge that can be spun to raise or lower your fridge on either side. Use a level to see which way your floor leans. Older homes with wooden floors or linoleum can often experience shifts in the floor causing appliances to lean to one side. Always make sure to get someone to help you when doing this as your fridge can easily tip and crush anyone nearby.
Clogged Defrost Drain
Most modern fridges have effective frost prevention, however, if the defrost drain is blocked by fluid or a build-up of ice, your fridge can begin to leak as the water has nowhere else to go.
You may find that the fridge is leaking water inside as the water searches for somewhere to go or as the fridge frosts and defrosts as items are removed from the freezer over time. It can also cause condensation to build on the coils, which then drops down to the floor. This can cause serious damage to both your fridge and floor if not fixed right away.
Empty your freezer to see if anything is blocking the defrost drain or there is ice build-up around the drain. Clearing access should allow any remaining water to drain out properly.
Check Water Supply Lines
Poorly formed ice or debris from food can clog up supply lines causing water to back up and leak on the floor. Check the plastic hose that runs between the ice maker and water filter to ensure there are no clogs or breaks in the line. You can then either replace the hose or have a repair technician do so for you. Remember to shut off the water valve before attempting any repairs to prevent further leaking. Generally you can find this in the basement or under the sink.
Check Drain Pan
The drain pan is designed to collect any condensation or excess water from your fridge as it runs. The drain pan is located underneath the fridge to prevent water from reaching your floor. Since fridges don’t create a lot of excess water when running properly, any water should naturally evaporate.
If the pan is overflowing it may be the result of damage to the drain that is preventing it from performing efficiently such as breakage or crack. This problem can be fixed by replacing it with a new one. They are a quick and affordable repair with drain pans available at most appliance and hardware stores.
Call A Professional
A leaking fridge is usually a quick diagnosis, but if you find these hacks aren’t working to stop the leak, then it is time to call a professional. We provide an honest and detailed quote of any work that needs done and arrive ready to make any repairs. The team of service technicians from Appliance Wizards offers fast and friendly service so you don’t have to worry about spoiled food. Call now for a same-day repair service.
