Have you ever experienced going to the kitchen and opening the fridge for a quick snack only to find your socks are soaked? Unless you went outside your lawn and stood on a puddle, your socks are likely soaked due to your fridge leaking water. And so you ask yourself, “Why is my refrigerator leaking water?”
To answer that question, our experienced appliance professionals have devised a list of possible reasons your fridge leaks water. So if you are experiencing the same problem, feel free to read this article to learn the causes and what you can do to fix it.
Reasons Your Fridge is Leaking Water
Before tearing down your fridge to find the leak, you need to consider this: Samsung Repairs can provide accurate diagnosis and repairs for your leaking fridge. You can call us anytime if you have no idea what to do when you experience problems with your fridge, and to stop asking yourself “why do fridges leak?”
If you want to delve deeper into your water leak issue, you will need to know what is causing the leak, so you will figure out what to do to prevent the problem from recurring. Here are some common causes of a leaking fridge.
Water Valve Failure.
A leak at the rear of your refrigerator is usually related to problems with the water valve or pipe that supplies water to a water dispenser or ice maker. This problem is better left to a skilled technician, but you can help pinpoint the exact leak area to save time.
Before doing anything to your fridge, ensure to unplug it from the electrical outlet. Working with a leak might cause an electric shock if you are not careful. Gently move the fridge away from the wall for a better view of the pipes.
Check to see if water is running down from the pipes. Also, check the waterline that connects to the back of the freezer. Is water dripping from the connection point?
A common leaking point is the solenoid switch that controls the water valve by opening and closing as needed. Look for holes and wet spots in areas that should be dry if operating properly.
Clogged Defrost Drain
If there is a water leak inside the fridge, you most likely have a clogged defrost drain in the freezer. Modern freezers run on a constant cycle of freezing and defrosting to eliminate ice and water build up on the fridge.
This constant cycle produces condensation, which can travel down the defrost drain and into the drain pan under the fridge. The small drain can easily become clogged by food particles, or it can freeze shut.
As water builds up from the freeze-defrost cycle, it will eventually leak out onto the floor. You can clean the drain by flushing it with warm water. Otherwise, contact a professional technician to investigate further.
Door Seal Failure
A leak is not always the cause of a puddle of water under the fridge. Sometimes, excess condensation from a fridge door that is not sealed properly can cause moisture to trickle down the gap in the door and collect on the floor.
You can check the condition of your door gasket, and if it is damaged, refer to your user manual for the exact gasket needed for replacement. Or you can call our fridge experts, who will fix it for you.
Improperly Positioned Drain Pan
Water from the defrost cycle exits into the drain pan. If the drain pan is not properly positioned or if you forgot to place it back, water will instead drip into the floor.
When you throw away the water from the drain pan, ensure that you return it to its proper position. It should snugly fit into the small drawer under your fridge. If it juts out even when you push it back in place, an obstruction might keep it from fitting securely into place.
How To Resolve Refrigerator Leaks
Is a fridge leaking water dangerous? While some causes of a refrigerator leak are better left to a licensed technician, some are easy to fix without needing the help of a professional. Do note, though, that if you are not confident in your ability to troubleshoot, do not hesitate to call our refrigeration experts so that we can assist with your problem. Here are simple steps you can follow to resolve a simple leak issue.
Clean the fridge regularly
A modern refrigerator goes through a freeze-defrost cycle. While this process helps eliminate ice particles that might clog the drain, a thorough cleaning is still your best option to prevent the drain from clogging.
Keep the fridge level
Ensure the resting place of your fridge is on level ground. Even a slight elevation can cause water to flow away from the drain and build up inside the fridge. If you can’t find a level ground for your refrigerator, use a stable refrigerator stand or insert a piece of wood or cardboard under the fridge to level it.
Clean the door gasket
Dust and debris often get stuck on the door gasket, which causes outside air to enter the refrigerator compartment. Warm outside air can cause condensation, eventually producing moisture that can leak out of the gaps in the door gasket. You can use a soft cloth to wipe the seal clean. If portions of the seal are damaged, consider replacing it. You can refer to your user manual for replacement instructions and gasket specifications.
Tighten water pipes
Loosened waterline pipes commonly cause leaks. If your fridge has a built-in ice maker or water dispenser, it is likely connected to a constant water supply via water pipes. The pipes are connected to the dispenser and ice maker via a valve that opens and closes accordingly. Over time, pipe connections can loosen, causing water to leak out. Ensure the pipes are securely tightened; if the pipe is defective, replace it immediately.
Call A Certified Refrigerator Technician
To ensure your water leak problem is accurately diagnosed and fixed, don’t hesitate to call a licensed technician for help. We at Samsung Repairs are always ready to provide high-quality refrigeration services for various problems, including water leaks.
With our extensive experience, you can rest assured we’ll get the job done quickly and efficiently, guaranteeing only the best results. You can use our contact form to schedule a callback at your most convenient time. We are available 24/7, even on weekends and holidays, through our same-day emergency services.