What Causes a Fridge to Leak Water?

A fridge is supposed to keep your water and drinks cold, not leak water. If you notice a puddle of water in front of your refrigerator, then surely the first question that comes to mind is, “why is my fridge leaking?” Well, the answer is not straight forward. There are several possibilities and that is exactly what we are going to go over in this article. If you would like to have a certified plumber dispatched to your location as you read through this article, then call Neighborhood Plumbing now. We are always available and ready to help.

Maybe It’s the Defrost Drain

During the defrost cycle, there is a lot of water created which needs somewhere to go. The defrost drain serves this purpose. It carries water produced by the defrost cycle to a pan at the bottom of the refrigerator. There, it evaporates. If the defrost drain is clogged, then it will obviously not be able to do its job. Instead, melted condensation will leak on the floor.
This tube is usually under the freezer compartment or produce bin; or behind the refrigerator. You can check your owner’s manual to find where yours is located. To clear the tube, first use a hair dryer on the low setting to melt away any ice. Then, insert a screwdriver or pipe cleaner into the tube to push out any gunk. Finally, fill a turkey baster with hot water and bleach and flush the drain hole with the mixture. Follow it with a final rinse.

How About the Drain Pan?

We mentioned the drain pan in the previous section. This pan is meant to hold water until the water evaporates. If cracked or damaged, however, the collected water will probably leak on the floor. The pan can also overflow during unusually high humidity. As humidity in the air mixes with your fridge’s cold temperature, there is, of course, more water filling the drain pan.
Pull out the pan and inspect the drain pan. If it is overflowing, then empty it. If you notice any cracks, then head out to your local hardware store to buy a replacement. Bring the old pan with you so you buy the right size!

Perhaps the Water Line Is Leaking

It is wonderfully convenient to be able to get a glass of filtered, cold water on demand. Refrigerators with water lines have become more and more popular for this feature. However, the water line can cause a leak. The leak can be either due to a loosened valve or damaged line.
Turn off the water supply and check to make sure the connections are tight and check the hose for damage. Tighten the connection and replace any damaged hose.

Call the Professionals

If you still cannot figure out why your refrigerator is leaking, then consider calling the professionals. Neighborhood Plumbing’s live representatives are always ready to take your call and arrange an urgent dispatch to your location. Our experienced local plumbers are on standby and ready to dispatch now.