A pool of water has formed under the refrigerator. Regardless of whether you fix the situation now or after cookies, here are some common problems you may see and how to stop refrigerator leaks.
Check the level of your refrigerator. The refrigerator should be tilted back slightly so that the water can flow from inside the refrigerator and down the drain hole. Adjust the height of the front legs (or put leggings underneath) to make sure the water has a place to go. (Plus, the tilt will help your doors close more easily.)
Clear drain line. The drain holes are located at the back of the refrigerator. To clear a path, push a pipe cleaner through the tube. Pouring a solution of soapy water and ammonia (1 part of each) into the tube will kill the bacteria. If the pipes were clogged and you fixed the problem, your soapy ammonia solution will drain into the drain pan, where it will evaporate. Make sure the drain tube is positioned correctly over the drip tray. Otherwise, the water can collect on the ground. It could also be that your hose is cracked or broken.
Ensure ample isolation. In addition to the water under the refrigerator, does condensation also collect outside the unit? This could indicate that you don’t have enough insulation to protect your refrigerator. If you can see light through any part of the door gasket’s rubber gasket, it’s time to replace it.
Try the drip tray. Your problems with water may be due to a leaky drip tray. This is the tray behind the grill under the refrigerator that collects the condensation from the drain tube. Take it out and test it by simply filling it with water. If it’s leaking, it’s time to replace it.
Check the defrost drain. The defrost drain is a hole in the bottom of the refrigerator or freezer that drains the water from the defrost cycle into the drip tray. It may have become clogged with food particles or dust. Clean the drain with warm water to remove any residue.
Tighten the valves. You may simply have a problem with loose valves. Tighten the water supply valve that connects the refrigerator water supply to the main copper line. If this connection is leaking and tightening the valve does not solve the problem, the hose will need to be replaced.
Inspect the ice maker. Take out the refrigerator and check the tubes connected to the ice maker. If the water supply hose is loose and / or has a leak, you have probably identified the problem. Another way to isolate the problem is to turn off the water supply to the refrigerator. If the leak stops, your ice maker is probably to blame.
Consider a new home for your unit. If you’ve tried everything else, the water under the refrigerator could be due to its location. If your unit is kept in an unheated space, such as a garage or basement, it may be collecting too much condensation from the heat of the motor hitting the cold outside of the refrigerator. You can place a stove near your refrigerator or consider moving it to a temperature controlled area.
So while there are a wealth of refrigerator leakage troubleshooting tips here, you may need to contact a licensed plumber to diagnose and fix the problem. Be as specific as possible about the type of problem you have, where you have seen waterlogging, etc. This will help the doctor to quickly resolve the appropriate problem.
About cleaning and restoring Woodard
Woodard Cleaning & Restoration was founded in 1946 by Earl and Nancy Woodard. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Woodard serves the largest metropolitan area (Illinois, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, St. Louis County, and many more). Woodard is proud to be the preferred provider of cleaning and restoration services. Our cleaning services include cleaning of carpets, hard surfaces, furniture and carpets for residential and commercial properties. We also provide water, fire, plank, storm, and smoke restoration services for residential and commercial clients.