Three Reasons Your Refrigerator Could Be Leaking

When you notice a pool of water around the bottom of your refrigerator then either somebody got a little sloppy while using the water dispenser, or you have a more serious problem. Refrigerators can leak for many reasons, and because they are busy keeping many dollars’ worth of food from spoiling, people like to take care of leaks as quickly as possible. If you’re looking for professional help, you may not even know whether to call a Roto-Rooter plumber, or to opt for an appliance repairman instead. Actually, you can usually diagnose and fix most refrigerator leak problems yourself if you’re just a bit handy and can follow directions. When you notice a leak, you’ll need to pull out the refrigerator and check where the water is coming from. The source of the water will usually indicate the source of the problem.

CONDENSATION PROBLEMS

If you notice beads of water are building up around the door and side panels, you likely have a condensation problem. Check that the refrigerator doors are shutting completely and properly. If you let go of the door handle when the door is half open, in most cases it should swing closed on its own. If it doesn’t, you can re-level the fridge so the back is a bit lower than the front. Also, check the gaskets that run along the door. Gaskets are the long strips of flexible rubber that help create an airtight seal with the door. You can clean gaskets with a rag and warm water.

LEAKY DRIP-PAN

If the water is accumulating near the front of the fridge, it may be a leaky drip-pan. The defrost drain line goes to the bottom of the fridge, where the water is poured into the drip-pan to evaporate. To find your drip pan you’ll need to remove the grill or panel at the bottom and front of your refrigerator and use a flashlight. The pan is usually located on a set of black coils, and the defrost drain line should lead you right to it. You can remove this pan and fill it in your sink to test for any leaks. If there are leaks order a replacement, but if not, the pan can be cleaned thoroughly and put back into place.

SUPPLY LINE LEAK

If you pull out the fridge and the water supply line is leaking, you can either call a plumber or fix the leak yourself. You can remove the damaged section of tubing and use couplers to reattach it, or you can use a new nut and ferrule if the leak is happening at the connection. Further instructions for these types of repairs are available online.

QUICK WAYS TO STOP A LEAKING REFRIGERATOR

Ever notice a little pool of water gathering underneath your refrigerator? As much as we'd like our appliances to constantly be in tip-top shape, that's not always the case. Fixtures go on the fritz, but sometimes they're fixable. Here are some quick ways to stop a leaking refrigerator:

REPLACE THE FILTER

Sometimes, all your refrigerator needs is a new filter. Over time, filters experience wear and tear, and eventually start leaking water. If you've had yours for awhile, it may be time to replace it. Just head out to your local hardware store to pick up another. It should come with easy instructions on how to safely remove your old one, and replace it with the new fixture. This swap should fix your leakage issue.

EXAMINE YOUR DEFROST DRAIN

At the bottom of each compartment of your refrigerator there should be a defrost drain. Make sure that no items are ever blocking this drain, and make sure that no debris is clogging it. You can clean this drain with a rag or by sending a bit of hot water down it to make sure there are no clogs. If there are no clogs, the warm water you send in should make it all the way to the drip-pan.

Over time, defrost drains become clogged with various materials. Since they're located inside of the refrigerator (usually on the ceiling between your fridge and freezer), they're exposed to many different things. Examine the drain to see if there is any ice or food coated on it. If it's ice, pour hot water down the drain to melt it. If it's food, use a handy tool or sturdy wire to clean out the entire area.

CHECK THE ICE MAKER

If water is forming underneath your appliance, it could be that something is wrong with your refrigerator's ice maker. Luckily, this is easy to fix. Shut off the water to that valve, which is normally located underneath the sink. If not, you probably can find it in your basement directly underneath the fridge. Turn off the flow of water to the ice maker so the puddle stops growing. Then, give your Roto-Rooter plumber a call to decide how to proceed.