Most homeowners ignore a refrigerator that is leaking and try to wipe up the water and never think about it again. Unfortunately, the water puddle will come back in most cases and will keep bothering you no matter how often you clean it. By understanding more about what could cause your unit to leak, you’ll know to take the necessary steps to resolve this issue. So, here are some of the most common reasons for this problem:
The way every fridge system works is that it goes through defrosting every 24-48 hours. It melts all the ice build-ups on the condenser coils. The defrost process is very important because if the fridge doesn’t melt the ice build-up, it might interrupt air circulation, causing cooling issues.
When ice is melted, water leaves through the drain system outside the cooling compartment into a condensation water catch tray, where water naturally evaporates. As a result, water condensation leaks on your floor.
The water inlet valve is responsible for supplying water to your ice maker and dispenser components. It lets small amounts of water flow through when activated. Any blockage or damage to the valves can significantly reduce their effectiveness and result in water leaking from the fridge.
To determine if this is the cause of the problem, check for visible signs of valve wear and listen for any unusual noises that may indicate the valve needs to be replaced.
This problem can be caused by either leaving the door open too long or not properly closing it shut. If a door isn’t completely closed, warm air from outside can enter the fridge, which makes its interior temperature rise and causes ice to melt – leading to condensation and water leakage.
Furthermore, if food items are blocking the seal around the door, this can also prevent it from shutting all the way – thus allowing warm air through and resulting in condensation build-up.
To avoid this issue, ensure that your fridge is always kept well organized, so nothing is blocking the seals, and that you aren’t leaving your fridge door open for extended periods.
A broken catch tray is one of the most common causes of a refrigerator leaking water on the floor. The catch tray or drain pan, located at the bottom of your fridge, collects condensation from the cooling process. If this part is broken or cracked, it can result in leaks.
To check if there is a problem with the tray, start by unplugging the fridge and removing all items from inside. Then, locate and remove the access panel underneath the appliance to get to the pan and inspect it. If you find it cracked, you must replace it immediately to prevent further damage.
Fixing a leaking fridge can be a daunting task, but there are simple steps that you can take to get the job done. Whether it’s caused by an old seal or faulty plumbing, these tips and tricks will help you remedy the issue in no time.
First, you should find out where the water is coming from. If your fridge leaks water at its base, this could indicate a faulty seal on either the freezer or refrigerator door. If there are wet spots near your water dispensers and ice makers, this could be due to faulty plumbing connections. Once you have identified where the leak is coming from, it is important to address this issue as soon as possible so that further damage does not occur and you can avoid a costly repair bill later on.
To begin your inspection, make sure the doors are completely shut before running a visual examination. Look for cracks, tears or any other obvious signs of damage to the seal around each door. If you find any gaps or spots that don’t appear to be sealed correctly, you should replace the entire door seal altogether. With new seals in place, check to see if they fit snugly before closing both doors again – this will help prevent further leaks from occurring in future.
Turn off the fridge’s power supply and unplug it from the wall socket. Next, remove any shelves or drawers blocking access to the condenser coil at the bottom of your unit. Carefully inspect each part for cracks or leaks, paying special attention to any hoses or water lines connected to your fridge. Lastly, make sure all connections between components are securely fastened so that no air can escape from these points of contact.
If none of the provided steps didn’t fix your issue, an expert diagnostic is advised.
REFERENCES
James, Stephen J., Judith Evans, and Christian James. “A review of the performance of domestic refrigerators.” Journal of Food Engineering 87.1 (2008): 2-10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0260877407002063
Refrigerator repair service from Appliance Repair Expert is about quality. For the convenience of our customers and the safety of equipment, we carry out repairs at home, so you do not have to worry about transporting the refrigerator and incur extra costs.
Book online
Fix a non-spinning Samsung washer by following these troubleshooting steps for a quick solution.
Learn how to fix your Samsung washer if it’s not draining properly with these helpful steps.
Fix a bottom leak in your Samsung washer with these easy-to-follow steps to prevent further damage.
