XT Appliances · Warren
Refrigerator leaking water inside or on the floor
Water inside or ice on the freezer floor is usually a blocked defrost drain, and water behind the fridge is usually the water supply or inlet valve.
A refrigerator moves water along two paths. Melt water from each defrost runs from the freezer coil down a drain to a pan underneath, where it evaporates. On models with an ice maker or a door dispenser, house water also comes in through a valve at the back. Most leaks come from one of those two paths, and where the water shows up tells you which one.
Inside the fridge or on the freezer floor
Water under the crisper drawers, a puddle in the bottom of the fridge, or a sheet of ice across the freezer floor means the defrost drain is blocked. Each defrost sends melt water to that drain. If ice or debris plugs it, the water has nowhere to go, so it pools inside or runs out onto your floor. That's a clearing job rather than a failed part. The drain sits behind the freezer's back panel, though, so it isn't one to take on yourself.
Behind or under the fridge
Water on the floor at the back, with everything dry inside, points at the water supply. The inlet valve opens to let water in for the ice maker and dispenser, and when it weeps or doesn't close fully, it drips at the back. Shine a light behind the fridge and look along the water line. If water is running, close the valve that feeds the fridge.
A valve that won't close all the way can also overflow the ice maker. It keeps feeding the mold after it's full, and the extra water spills into the bin and freezes. A fill tube that's partly frozen does the same, because the water misses the mold. Cubes frozen into one block, or water sitting in the ice bin, point here.
Before you call, note where the water is, about how much there is, and whether the ice bin looks normal. It helps us bring the right part. If water is near an outlet or any wiring, unplug the fridge or switch off its breaker if you can do that safely, and call us.
Our technician clears and checks the defrost drain, or checks the inlet valve, its shut-off and the ice maker fill, depending on where the water is coming from.
What it usually turns out to be
- Cleaning or upkeepBlocked defrost drainMelt water from each defrost runs down a drain to a pan underneath. When ice or debris plugs it, the water backs up into puddles under the crisper drawers or an ice sheet on the freezer floor.
- PartWater inlet valve or supply lineThe valve at the back lets house water in for the ice maker and dispenser. If it weeps or doesn't close fully, water collects behind the fridge while the inside stays dry.
- PartOverflowing ice makerA valve that doesn't close all the way keeps feeding the ice mold, and a partly frozen fill tube makes the water miss it. Either way water spills into the bin and the cubes freeze into one block.
Try this first
- Note where the water is: under the drawers, on the freezer floor, at the front or behind the fridge. It helps us bring the right part.
- Shine a light behind the fridge and look for drips along the water line.
- If water is running from behind the fridge, close the water valve that feeds it.
- Check the ice bin for cubes frozen into a block or water sitting in it.
Stop using it and call now if
- Water pooling near an outlet or wiring
- Water keeps leaking behind the refrigerator