Why is my fridge leaking and how do I fix it? Don’t miss these expert tips and tricks so you get your fridge fixed fast!
What frightens you more—a leak in your water heater or a leaking fridge? Even the bravest home dweller dreads the day they discover a river running from the water heater. Water leaking from the fridge isn’t nearly as disturbing.
If you have a puddle under or inside the refrigerator, there’s one question you need to answer first. Why is my fridge leaking? Next, you’ll want to find out if you can repair it.
Even though refrigerator leaks don’t create the same level of chaos as a leaky water heater, you don’t want to ignore the problem. Read on and grab a few tips to help you troubleshoot the leak and figure out the fix.
Your Leaking Fridge Is Not Normal
Despite what your landlord or your best friend tells you, finding water seeping from the fridge isn’t part of the new normal. Yes, during the operating cycle, all refrigerators create condensation. Sometimes too much condensation causes the fridge to sweat, but it’s not a genuine leak.
Water on the outside of the fridge on a hot day means you’re opening the door too often. It’s also possible you’ve set the temperature inside the fridge too cold.
You can adjust the frequency of your trips to the fridge. You can even bump the temperature up a bit without sacrificing food quality and safety.
If these simple fixes don’t work, you may need to replace the door gasket.
Why the concern? The gasket holds cold air in and keeps hot air out. Besides causing sweat, worn gaskets can raise your energy bill.
Now that we’ve determined condensation and leaks are not the same, we’ll go on to the more serious reasons you might find water leaking from your refrigerator.
Common Causes of a Fridge Leaking from the Bottom
Water under the fridge should cause concern, but not all-out panic. You likely have one of the following issues:
- Blocked Defrost Drain
- Frozen or Clogged Water Line
A blocked drain happens when food particles or ice get stuck in the drain hose. It’s an easy fix, and you can start by flushing the drain. If that doesn’t help, you may need to locate the defrost drain hose on the fridge’s back and clean out the check valve.
Not everyone feels comfortable tinkering with appliances, but don’t despair because most fridge repair technicians offer this service.
Why Is My Fridge Leaking on the Inside?
The funny thing about refrigerators—sometimes the same culprit causes water leaking from the bottom and the inside. It’s that defrost drain!
Another cause of leaks inside the fridge is a damaged line in the water dispenser or the water filter. You should also check the drain pan.
Suppose you can troubleshoot and fix the problem? More power to you! If not, calling a repair technician will save lots of hair-pulling.
Looking for More Tips?
If you wondered why is my fridge leaking and making a mess, you now have a few answers. We even gave you some great solutions!
For more tips on troubleshooting home appliances, check out the rest of our blog. You might save yourself a few bills by making repairs yourself. That said, don’t hesitate to get help when you can’t figure out the problem on your own.
