Fridge Leaking Water

Finding your fridge leaking water is always a terrible “surprise”, especially when you are in a hurry for work in the morning. Whether the leak is inside or outside of your fridge, there are numerous factors that can cause it. And, unfortunately, new units aren’t immune to this problem either.

If you:

• Recently bought a fridge, but now see a small puddle of water on the floor;
• Have an old refrigerator which leaks at the back;
• Had your old unit serviced, but it still leaks.

Then read along!

Level of the refrigerator

This tip applies to refrigerators that were bought or moved recently. Believe it or not, you shouldn’t level your fridge flawlessly. In fact, the front of your unit should be a little taller than the back.

Condensation from the fridge interior should run into a drain hole and then into a drip tray. Once there, it evaporates slowly. However, if the fridge is tipped slightly forward or in another direction, the water might not be able to flow into the designated drain. So, how do you fix it?

1. Turn the front legs, several turns each, to raise the front of the fridge. If you don’t want to damage the floor beneath the legs, have a helper who will push the fridge slightly back, so the front legs won’t be touching the floor while you turn them;
2. Place a level on the front edge of the fridge to make sure the legs are even with one another;
3. Open the door and leave it. It should close all on its own. If it doesn’t you need to lift turn the front legs some more;

Keep this in mind the next time you buy a new fridge. If you purchase a regular unit, you can adjust the level at any time. However, when you install an integrated fridge freezer, you’d have to set the proper level at the very beginning.

Clean the drain hole

If you find water at the bottom of the interior of your fridge, you might have a clogged drain hole. The drain hole can get clogged over time with food particles or even frost. When this happens, you will see water collecting at the bottom of the fridge interior as the condensation has nowhere to drain.

1. Locate the drain hole at the bottom of the fridge interior.
2. Poke it with an especially designed cleaning tool which comes with your refrigerator. If you no longer have it, just use a straw or a hose to push down the dirt. Don’t use a sharp object because it could damage the insulation. The impurities should fall into the drain tray after being pushed down.
3. Pour a solution of distilled vinegar and water down the hole to disinfect it;

Check the drain pan

The water from the drain hole goes into the drain pan. Usually, if everything works as it supposed to, water should never overfill the drain pan since it evaporates quickly. However, the pan does wear out over the years and might get cracked. If you find water beneath the fridge front or back, then likely the drain pan has finally run its course. Here is how to check:

1. Access the drain pan by removing the cover panel located at the bottom of the refrigerator;
2. If your fridge is freshly purchased, check the pan for any damages such as cracks, tears or improper placement;
3. Adjust if placed improperly and replace if damaged.

Replace water filter

If you have a refrigerator with a filtering system and you see water on the floor, you may have problems with the connection between the water filter and the water supply line. If your fridge is old, the housing seals may be cracked, thus allowing water to escape. If it’s new, the filter may not be installed properly, or the wrong size may be used. Whatever the case may be:

1. Disconnect the appliance from the mains.
2. Locate the filter. On some fridge models, the filter is on the back, while on others it’s on the inside.
3. Check for any signs of water dripping from it. If water drops are running down the filter, they should be easy to see.
4. Change the filter with the one manufactured for your fridge model. The changing itself is relatively easy, usually only involving a small push or turn of the filter so that it would disconnect from the fridge.

Clogged or frozen water supply line

Units with ice makers and water dispensers may experience plumbing problems. The water supply line of your fridge may get clogged or become frozen over time, resulting in your fridge leaking. If the ice maker is also not working properly and water flow from the dispenser is low, then you can be sure this is the reason for the leak.

1. Unplug the refrigerator from the mains
2. Locate the water shut-off valve and close it. It should be either under your sink, behind your fridge or in the basement.
3. Slowly pull the fridge from the wall.
4. Inspect the supply line. Look for leaks, tears, clogs or kinks.
5. If visually you find nothing, run the supply line with a dry rag or kitchen paper. If there’s a break in the line, the water from it will show on the rag/paper.

If you find a tear in the line, then you’d have to replace it. If you find a blockage, it’s likely a piece of ice. Leave the fridge unplugged for about two hours, so the ice piece would melt, after which return the refrigerator as it was once was.

Replace door seal

Door gaskets on old refrigerators wear down over time, losing their sealing qualities. The result is higher levels of condensation. It’s also possible that your fridge is too full and the door cannot be fully closed, resulting in the same problem.

Generally, the easiest way to check if your gasket has reached the end of its life is to slip a piece of paper between the seal and the door frame. If the seal is still intact, you shouldn’t be able to do it. If you manage, though, then you have to replace the seal, and this is how:

1. Disconnect the bridge from the mains.
2. Grab a random corner of the seal and pull away. Putting your thumb underneath it will make the process easier.
3. Clean the areas where the door seal was glued by the manufacturer.
4. Glue the new seal starting from the top corners. Press firmly, to make sure it’s locking in place and work your way to the down corners.

Is water leaking from your fridge dangerous?

If the water on your floor stays there for too long, it will certainly damage it. It’s also a slip hazard, especially for old people and kids.

Electrocution is also a strong possibility if your refrigerator is old and placed on a concrete floor. 

Call professionals

If you tried all these methods, but still can’t find the source of the leak, it’s time to call in the professionals. Fantastic Services works with fridge freezer repairmen in London who are highly experienced and fully equipped with the right tools. They will locate the source of the leak and take care of it in a stress-free manner. You don’t need to waste your time kneeling before your appliance and checking every possible nook and cranny.

Our refrigerator specialists can fix any brand and model, so it doesn’t matter if you are having LG integrated fridge or a Maytag freestanding one.

Takeaways

• Always unplug your refrigerator when you try to replace a part.
• Check whether your fridge is levelled the right way.
• Check if the drain hole is clogged.
• Inspect the drain pan for damages.
• Check is the door seal is in need of replacing.

Image Source: Shutterstock / Andrey_Popov

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Do you have a leaking refrigerator? Have you found the source of the leak yet? Let us know by commenting!