Why is my fridge leaking water onto the floor? If you are asking this question, this might be the first time you are seeing the water. Although it’s a common issue, water pudding under the fridge is never a good sign and you have a reason to be worried.
Thankfully, according to refrigerator repair professionals, the problem is often easy to fix. If you are having the problem, here are some of the common reasons for it and what you can do about it:
You have left the refrigerator door open for a long time
If you leave the refrigerator door open for a long time, the fridge will slowly build up water due to the incoming warmer air. This can sometimes overwhelm the evaporator systems leading to leaks.
To fix the problem, you simply need to close the fridge door. To prevent the problem from coming about in the future, avoid leaving the door open for extended periods of time.
If you have a modern refrigerator with an alarm that signals when the door is open for a long time, turn it on.
The fridge isn’t level
If you recently purchased the fridge, recently remodeled your kitchen floor, or moved to a new house and you just realized water under your fridge, the appliance might not be level.
When the fridge isn’t level, the coolant doesn’t flow freely, and it pools in the pipes, forcing the fridge to work harder than it should. This creates extra condensation around the coils that end up dripping water on the floor.
To fix this, you need to level the fridge. Place a level on the floor of the fridge then make the adjustments.
To make adjustments, remove the grill from the front bottom and adjust the legs or rollers. You might need a screwdriver or wrench depending on the model of the appliance.
To ensure this doesn’t happen again, aim for a ¼ to ½ inch rise in the front and check the level.
The water inlet valve is damaged
The water line connects to the back of the fridge and it can be damaged or loose leading to water leaks. The water inlet valve that connects the waterline at the back of the fridge might also have a slight leak causing a water puddle.
To fix the issue, you need to find the source of the problem. Unplug the fridge from the power and slide it out from the wall. Then use a flashlight and check if the waterline or water valve has any leaks.
If there are any leaks present, tighten up the leaking area or remove or replace the affected parts.
Blocked defrost drain
The defrost drain clogs because of food particles and other debris. As a result of the clog, ice builds up, and eventually, water leaks out of the freezer and fridge.
To fix the problem, you should flush the drain from the inside of the freezer with warm water using a small funnel or turkey baster. You can also use a coat hanger or pipe cleaner to forcibly remove the clogging material.
If this doesn’t work, manually remove the debris causing the clog.
What if you can’t find the source of the leak?
If you inspect the appliance and you can’t find the source of the leak, contact an appliance repair Springfield professional to help you out. A professional contractor will carefully troubleshoot your refrigerator and fix the problematic areas.
For peace of mind, the contractor will do a good job, take your time when hiring. Ensure the contractor is experienced enough. It also doesn’t hurt hiring an insured technician as accidents happen anytime and you don’t want to be liable when they happen.