Why is my refrigerator leaking water? Causes and remedies

Each refrigerator model is approximately the same system, and only the quality and type of spare parts differ. Consequently, we can conclude that the breakdowns of all models are largely identical, and one of the most common is fridge leaking water. Simply masking this problem is categorically impossible because you risk allowing moisture to get into critical mechanisms, which will lead to their failure. In this article, we will look at the probable culprits of fridge spills, along with the methods of fixing them.

Frequently encountered leakage problems in the refrigerator

It's even difficult to identify a 100% accurate reason for a fridge leaking water inside for experienced craftsmen, and even more so for owners who are far from electronics. The problem lies in a great variety of variations, where there are both easily correctable faults and serious malfunctions of expensive parts. We will examine the most common ones, which are likely to occur in your case as well.

1. Clogged drainage system

As a rule, in most cases, water leaking from fridge is related to the drainage system, or rather to its severe clogging. Everything is quite easy, accumulated water droplets by design should fall into the corresponding hole, and then evaporate, and in case of clogs, they simply settle on the lower shelves.

How food particles cause clogs

The main source of clogging in the drainage system of a refrigerator is food residue. When the device is used for a long time, small food particles form a clog, which completely blocks the water flow. In this case, it is sufficient to clean the drainage holes, this is particularly important when regularly storing food that crumbles and leaks.

2. Faulty water dispenser

Another popular breakdown that entails the Samsung fridge leaking water is considered to be the water dispenser. It is quite easy to identify the problem, it manifests itself in complete or partial blockage of water supply. In some situations, cleaning the filter is sufficient for maintenance, but the problem can also be caused by irreparable failure of some components.

Cracked or leaking water dispenser tube

Unfortunately, if Kenmore fridge leaking water does involve problems in the dispenser, the most likely cause is a damaged dispenser tube. This can happen even with trivial wear and tear or constant exposure to low temperatures outside. To eliminate leaks in this case, replace the tube with a new one and take care of installing the refrigerator in a place with normal temperatures.

3. Replacing the drain tray

If you've found that your fridge leaking water from bottom, the problem most likely lies in the drip tray. It's charged to gather the melting water that is generated when defrosting the freezer compartment. Damage drain tray may be induced not only by mechanical impact but also by inevitable aging, as well as banal overflow of water.

How to replace the drain pan

Anyone can properly change the drain tray in a refrigerator, but it's crucial to stay as vigilant as humanly possible and not rush it. At the very beginning, disconnect the unit directly from the power supply, you need to find the drip tray, it's often situated at the lower part of the fridge. For full access to the drain pan you will most likely need to remove the front or rear bottom cover, for this purpose prepare the following tools:

1. Pliers;
2. Various types of screwdrivers;
3. A dry towel;
4. A deep container for collecting melt water.

 

4. Frost accumulation in the freezer compartment

Last on the list, but by no means the rarest cause of fridge is leaking water is the accumulation of large amounts of frost on the walls of the freezer compartment. It occurs if the defrosting system does not work properly, as well as if moisture gets inside the appliance or if the door is depressurized. It is strongly not recommended to postpone the removal of ice and frost accumulations, because it not only causes regular water leaks but also significantly deteriorates the performance of the refrigerator.

How to defrost and remove ice

Anyone can handle the process of defrosting frost accumulations, as it requires minimal effort. First, remove all food from the freezer and refrigerator compartment. Then disconnect the appliance from the power supply and open the appliance doors. The only thing left to do is to place dry rags or towels under the body of the appliance to absorb the melted water and just wait for all the ice to melt at room temperature.

How to fix a leaky fridge step by step

The refrigerator itself is a difficult mechanism with a lot of fragile parts, so trying to service it yourself is a risky idea. However, if the fridge leaking water from bottom does not require labor-intensive maintenance and replacement of parts, you can try to fix it yourself.

Step 1: Check the drainage system

You should start the diagnosis with the part that causes the refrigerator to leak most often, we are talking about the drainage system. After disconnecting the appliance from the power supply, you should find a defrost drain hole fridge leaking water inside, it is usually located in the freezer compartment or on the rear panel. It only takes a few minutes to check, because if you find clogs in the drainage hole, they are the cause of regular leaks, which can be eliminated by trivial cleaning.

Step 2: Inspect the water dispenser tube

If the previous step did not bear fruit, you should move on to a less common problem causing the Whirlpool fridge leaking water - a problem with the water dispenser tube. This tube is often located in the back of the appliance, but can also be attached to the inside of the door. Pay particular attention to the inlet and outlet mountings, as they are subject to the most wear and tear and may leak.

Step 3: Look at the drip pan for breaks and cracks

We discussed a little earlier how you can get in and remove the drain pan, but replacing it is not necessary in all cases. It's quite likely that it's simply overflowing with meltwater, so draining it is sufficient for maintenance. But the situation changes a lot if when you inspect the drain pan you find damages, weakened parts, and cracks. There is only one solution to this problem - complete replacement of the drain pan, this is the only way you can eliminate fridge leaking water.

Step 4: Defrosting the freezer compartment

To finally find out the cause of water leaking from refrigerator, it is recommended to perform a complete defrosting of the unit. Some pipes or frost accumulations are likely blocking the normal operation of the appliance, including the natural drainage of meltwater. The defrosting process is simple and consists of the following steps:

• Disconnecting the refrigerator from electricity;
• Place a spacious container or dry clothes under the appliance;
• Waiting for 5-6 hours at room temperature until fully defrosted.

 

Preventing future refrigerator leaks

Surprisingly, lack of maintenance is responsible for 90% of the fridge leaking water inside your refrigerator, but only 10% is due to natural wear and tear on the parts. When it comes to regular maintenance, you need to keep an eye not only on the cleanliness of the surfaces but also on the performance indicators of the various mechanisms, so that you can quickly identify malfunctions and eliminate them with minimal consequences.

Tips for regular maintenance

Within the framework of self-service to avoid the question: of why is my fridge leaking water, it is recommended to perform a complete defrosting every 4-6 months, wipe the internal and external surfaces, and inspect the condition of the appliance for cracks and other mechanical damage. In addition, all refrigerator models require periodic preventive maintenance of all parts after about every 12 months.

Cleaning the drainage system

It is quite easy to perform quality cleaning of the refrigerator drainage system because basically, all the debris accumulates exclusively in the drainage hole. It is easy to clean it with improvised devices but do it carefully so as not to damage it. In addition to removing dirt, you can also flush the drainage channel; a weak solution of vinegar is best for this purpose, but plain water can also be used.

Periodically inspect the water feed line

Modern fridge models are equipped with various sophisticated mechanisms, such as an icemaker and water delivery system. If the malfunction concerns these two functions, you will face the question of why is my fridge leaking water inside and outside? To avoid such problems, keep a close eye on plumbing, particularly the integrity of the tubing and the cleanliness of the strainers.

When to send for a tech

There's a risk none of the above recommendations may help you rid yourself of this trouble, and you simply can't put it off, because a fridge leaking water dangerous. The trouble in this case is not a maintenance issue, but rather serious system failures that cannot be dealt with alone. We are an experienced team of craftsmen, RightFix, ready to come to the rescue and quickly fix your fridge in Canada at a reasonable cost!