Among all the appliances that you have in the house, the refrigerator is undoubtedly the workhorse. It is about the only equipment you have that works day and night, all year long. One day, you notice a puddle of water on the floor. What comes to mind? Should you call the repair tech to stop your fridge from leaking water or do it yourself?
Diagnosing and Fixing Fridge Leaking Water
To say that you got a mess on your hands is an understatement. In fact, you do have a mess – literally – on the floor. But that is not what concerns you the most. Food, being a basic necessity, the threat of spoilage is worrisome. A leaking fridge, therefore, is ominous and may be indicative of more troublesome issues.
In almost all likelihood, you are dealing with only one of four common causes of water leaking from the fridge.
Here’s the good news.
If your problem is one of these four, then you can fix the problem yourself.
1. Did you check the kitchen floor level?
Think of it as a homecoming for your fridge. It could be a newly purchased unit, a new house, or another location in the kitchen. Whatever the case may be, there is a slight possibility that moving the refrigerator could cause leaking water.
The kitchen floor is also another consideration. Unknown to many, refrigerators operate better when put on uneven ground. A slightly elevated front (1/4 to 1/2 inch) allows the refrigerant to flow freely. As a result, its ability to keep the fridge cold is at its most efficient. In this scenario, you are getting the most value for the money with regards to electric consumption.
If the ground is perfectly level, or the back side is slightly elevated, the coolant cannot circulate as freely. Consequently, the refrigerant may pool in the pipes, resulting in more condensation on the coils and droplets dripping to the floor. Eventually, you would notice the small puddle of water – a sign that the fridge is leaking.
If you see signs of condensation on the coils, try checking the front-to-back and side-to-side elevation. For this, you would need a level and some tools (wrench or screwdriver).
First, check the side-to-side elevation, making sure that it is even-keeled. You would also run the level from front to back. Remember that the front side needs to be 1/4 to 1/2 inch higher than the rear.
Next, make the appropriate adjustments. You can do that by removing the grill at the bottom of the front side. Depending on the brand and model, your fridge either has rollers or legs. Consult the instruction manual if you are unsure of how to make the adjustments.
2. Could your defrost drain be clogged?
Suppose you did make adjustments on the floor elevation, and condensation on the coils continues to be a problem. Your effort is still not wasted. At least your fridge is functioning at its most efficient level – if you could only stop the water leakage.
The next thing you should consider is the defrost drain. For most brands and models, it is accessible at the back. See if there are materials that could cause the clogging. These include food, ice, and anything else that does not belong there.
Try to look at the back wall of the freezer, too. Is there anything that obstructs the defrost drain? If so, reorganize the items so that there is enough space for air to circulate.
Hopefully, in a matter of a couple of days, you no longer see a puddle of water on the floor.
If the problem persists, though, there is one more thing you can do. Quite possibly, it may be small pieces of food or ice that are stuck in the drain hole. To clear, remove everything from the fridge and freezer because you will have to cut off power.
Consult the instruction manual to identify the location of the drain hole. You can now use a funnel or turkey baster to flush warm water and clear the defrost drain of debris.
At this point, you hope that this already solves your problem.
Related article: How to Fix Wine Fridge Not Cooling
3. Could it be the water supply lines that caused the leaking water?
You have taken care of the ground elevation, with the front-side slightly elevated. The defrost drain, for sure, is also clear of obstruction. Yet, water continues to pool a puddle on the floor.
If your fridge has an ice-maker, is there anything out of the ordinary when it makes ice cubes?
Does the water flow on command at the door flow more slowly than usual?
If you have these features, then the water supply lines could be the cause of your fridge leaking water.
For a thorough check, you would need to unplug the refrigerator. That means you may have to move your perishables to a cooler box or another fridge – if you have one.
Inspect the full-length of the hoses that run from the ice-maker and water filter to the water supply source. Are there signs of damage and dripping water? If so, order a replacement and swap the old lines with the new one.
4. The drain pan, of course!
Underneath the fridge is a drain pan. Its purpose is to catch tiny droplets, keeping the floor dry. Pull it out and see if there is an excessive accumulation of water. A few drops of water are to be expected and not a problem at all since it evaporates soon enough.
Inspect the drain pan, making sure that it is not warped or cracked. If so, order a replacement and simply swap.
Stopping Fridge Leaking Water Like a Pro
For sure, the repair tech can diagnose and fix the problem faster. You would have to make arrangements first and pay the cost of service. It is, however, an option if you do not feel handy enough or are too busy to bother with trying to fix the problem yourself.
Who do you call then?
Luck is on your side if you are located in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as well as Hamilton and Niagara. You can avail of the most affordable 5-star quality service by contacting Prime Appliance Repairs. Call them, and within a reasonable amount of time, your fridge leaking water stops being an issue.
As you have read, though, fixing the problem of water leaking from the fridge is also something you can do yourself. Try because it can be fun, too. If you feel handy enough and adventurous, go give it a shot. Call Prime Appliance Repairs today!
