You depend on your fridge to deliver consistent performance that keeps food fresh and cool, which can make problems with your appliance all the more frustrating. When used and maintained per your owner’s manual, refrigerator leaks are rare. If your fridge is leaking water, it’s important to make necessary repairs as soon as possible.
If your fridge is leaking, here are the steps you should take immediately to address the issue:
- Turn off the fridge: Locate the power switch or unplug the refrigerator from the electrical outlet to prevent any electrical hazards.
- Assess the leak: Check where the water is coming from. Common sources include a blocked defrost drain, a cracked water line, or condensation issues.
- Contain the water: Place towels or absorbent cloths around the base of the fridge to soak up any pooled water and prevent it from spreading further.
- Inspect the refrigerator components: Carefully move the fridge away from the wall to inspect the back and sides for visible signs of damage or leaks from water lines or the defrost drain.
- Clear any blockages: If the leak is due to a blocked defrost drain, use a turkey baster or a thin, flexible cleaning tool to remove the blockage. This drain is usually located at the bottom of the fridge.
- Check the water supply lines: Inspect the water supply line (if your fridge has a water dispenser or ice maker) for any cracks or leaks. Tighten connections if necessary.
- Clean up the area: Once you have identified and addressed the source of the leak, thoroughly clean up any spilled water and dry the area around the fridge.
- Test the fridge: After cleaning and addressing the issue, plug the fridge back in or turn it back on to ensure the leak has stopped.
- Monitor the fridge: Keep an eye on the fridge for the next few hours to ensure that the leak does not reoccur. If it does, you may need to call a professional repair service to inspect and fix the issue.
There are several reasons why your fridge may be leaking water, such as age, improper installation and inappropriate usage. Learn more about possible causes behind refrigerator leaks, as well as helpful tips on how to fix a leaking refrigerator.
1. Water leaking from the fresh food compartment
Many people have the habit of buying food in bulk for the whole week and storing it in the refrigerator. This can accidentally block the ventilation of the fresh food compartment, leading to a long time to cool.
Furthermore, if those foods are thoroughly washed to remove dirt but not drained before being put in the refrigerator, this will also cause water to leak and affect other food.
It is easy to solve this. Please remember to drain or use paper towels to dry the food before putting it in the refrigerator. In addition, you can you plastic wrap or put the food in a zip bag.
Besides, arrange food neatly and avoid overloading the refrigerator compartment.
2. Water leaking from the freezer compartment
In this case, check to see if overloading the food accidentally blocks the ventilation of the freezer compartment. Another reason could be that you are careless in closing the freezer door.
Believe it or not, but a freezer door that doesn’t seal properly can lead to leaks, should the freezer reach melting temperatures.
Check your door gaskets and seals for cracks and tears. If you find them, you’ll need to replace the gaskets. At the same time, you should also place food in the freezer neatly.
3. Check Defrost Drain
The defrost drain is typically located at the back of a freezer and can get easily blocked due to having a stuffed freezer. When that drain gets blocked, the coils start working harder and that can lead to condensation building up.
That condensation will fall to the floor and form a puddle. To remedy it, rearrange your freezer so the drain is no longer blocked. Then flush warm water through the drain to clear any clogs.
4. Inspect Ice Maker
The inlet tube that goes to the ice maker can also be a source for a leaky fridge if it becomes clogged.
First, unplug your fridge before removing the ice maker. To take a look at it, unscrew the screws, then unplug the wiring harness.
Grab a hairdryer to melt any ice in the inlet tube until water stops dripping from the tube.
If all above can’t solve the leaking, please call the technician for help. If you’re unsure about any of these steps or if the leak persists despite your efforts, it may be best to contact a qualified appliance repair technician to diagnose and repair the problem safely.