What to do if the refrigerator is leaking: causes of failure and solutions

A puddle under the refrigerator is an unpleasant event, and you should not panic when faced with it. A similar problem can happen with a device of any brand - Indesit, Samsung, Daewoo, Stinol, Pozis and others. First, you need to figure out exactly why the refrigerator is leaking and how serious the breakdown is.

How to determine the location of the leak, why does water appear in No Frost refrigerators, where does a blue, brown or oily liquid form? Answers to these and other questions, as well as an algorithm for solving problems, are presented in this article.

Preliminary control

First, check whether the device is turned on and whether water has appeared from a leak in the washing machine or sink. If you are convinced that there are no extraneous factors, then consider the following possible causes of failure and ways to solve them.

Important! Before starting any repair work, disconnect the device from electricity.

Disconnecting the drain pipe

In this case, the liquid, instead of flowing into a specialized collection, ends up on the floor surface. This can happen due to careless rearrangement of the device or improper transportation.

• Signs. The insides of the device are dry, there is no frozen ice in the freezer compartment, but a small puddle of water constantly appears on the floor near the device.
• Solution. Move the device away from the wall, check the tube that is perpendicular to the motor. If it comes off, simply correct it by inserting the tip into the special hole in the plastic reservoir to collect water.

Broken or cracked tank

If there is a lot of liquid on the floor, then the integrity of the tank is most likely compromised.

• Visually. There is no moisture inside the cooling equipment, it is dry there. On the other hand, water is visible under the device, mainly near the back wall. After inspecting the back of the machine, you may notice damage to the water collection tank through which it pours onto the floor.
• Repair. The first thing you can do is try to remove the container. Be careful, it is attached to the compressor with a special fastener, so simply “pulling it out” can damage the compressor. Shine a flashlight on yourself, then, holding the compressor, turn the container counterclockwise and pull it towards you with force. A broken tank should be taken to a workshop where they can replace it with a new one.

Inefficient compressor operation

One of the reasons why a refrigerator leaks may be a compressor that has served its useful life and has already lost its former efficiency. This is a device that creates pressure inside the system and circulates the refrigerant in a vicious circle. This refrigerant contracts in one area and absorbs heat and expands in another, which helps release heat. However, if the compressor does not operate efficiently, the pressure in the system will be low. Consequently, the refrigerant will not be able to absorb a large amount of heat and maintain a negative temperature in the freezer.

Ice in the freezer may melt more rapidly over time, which may not be noticeable immediately. This will lead to intense accumulation of condensate in the evaporator, and it may even overflow. As a result, the refrigerator will leak. The reason for this will be precisely the inefficient operation of the compressor. Without special knowledge, you will not be able to repair the compressor yourself. It needs to be sent in for repairs. Buying a new one is not always a rational decision, since this element is the most expensive in the entire system, and its price can reach 70-80% of the cost of a new refrigerator.

Evaporator heater failure

New models of refrigerators differ from older models in the principle of cooling. In them, the main work is performed using the No Frost system. The peculiarity of this cooling method is that snow and frost do not form inside the device, and food products are cooled using dry freezing. It happens that the no frost system also breaks down, and the question arises, why is it leaking from the freezer? The cause of the breakdown is a malfunction in the technology. The amount of moisture is several times higher than the normal value, and ice forms inside the freezer, and when the door is opened, the ice melts. Melt water through the drainage channel enters directly into the tank, which in the know frost system is not designed for large volumes of liquid. As a result, a leak forms.

• Signs. If a freezer breaks down, a lot of frozen snow appears in the freezer, and there is a puddle of water directly under the device.
• Repair in this case involves replacing the broken element and is performed only by service technicians.

Determining the location and nature of the leak

At the stage of diagnosing the unit, it is important to exclude the following causes of moisture:

• leakage of other household devices located nearby (washing machine or dishwasher, battery);
• spilled water, juice and other food products;
• natural defrosting of the refrigerator due to a power outage;
• the door is not pressed tightly;
• The plug is not inserted correctly into the socket.

Next, you should inspect and figure out exactly where the refrigerator is leaking from. Based on this information, we can draw a conclusion about the nature of the breakdown, as well as ways to eliminate it. Conventionally, all problems can be divided into external and internal - water appears under the refrigerator or directly in its compartments.

The drain hole in the freezer compartment is clogged

If liquid leaks from the freezer into the refrigerator compartment, the drainage hole is likely clogged.

• Visually. A large amount of water and ice appears in the device, located closer to the door.
• Solution to the problem. Unplug the device for at least 2 days to let it thaw, wipe it dry, and try turning it on. If ice begins to appear again, you will have to remove the back wall of the freezer. There you will see a reservoir for excess fluid and a drainage tube. The opened hole is carefully cleaned with tubes from droppers so as not to damage the channel itself. If you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to call a specialist.

Clogged drain in refrigerator

It's all about crumbs from stored food and condensation that clog the hole.

• Signs. It's wet inside, water is leaking from the refrigerator, heavily flooding the floor, and there is ice in the freezer compartment from a large amount of liquid.
• What to do? You need a small syringe filled with warm water. Place it against the hole, press firmly, or you can clean the hole with a dropper tube or soft wire.

Brown liquid

Description. There is a puddle under the refrigerator that appears again as soon as you wipe it off. The reason is the failure of the drainage structure (loose attachment of the tube, its damage during transportation or during use).

Solution. The tube must be brought to the initially specified position. It's pretty simple. It will take a couple of minutes to connect it to a special container. If the problem persists, you need to inspect the device for integrity. There may be a crack in the tube. In such a situation, the part will need to be replaced. It is better to entrust this matter to an experienced specialist.

Description. Assess the condition of the rear wall of the refrigerator from the inside. If water flows down it in a continuous stream, it means that the liquid reservoir is broken.

Solution. With this course of events, there will be no use for repair measures. This will require purchasing a new tank and hiring a professional to install it. But there is no need to worry too much. If you cover the hole through which moisture enters, the equipment will work properly for a couple more days.

By the way, in some cases, brown liquid flows from the refrigerator. Many users complain about this, mistaking dirt for rust. This may mean that condensation collects various types of dirt along the way. The rust that the brown color hints at cannot exist, since there is simply nothing to rust: condensation forms on the plastic walls and flows down the plastic tubes into the container, but they cannot rust.

Most refrigerator models are equipped with an automatic defrost function. The main element in this process is a thermal electric heater, which ensures periodic defrosting of the evaporator during compressor idle periods.

In refrigerators with the Frost Free system, signs of evaporator failure are:

• Evaporator freezing.
• Increase in temperature in the freezer.
• Thermal fuse has blown.
• The freezer stops working, but the refrigerator compartment functions normally.
• Excess moisture forms and the refrigerator leaks.

In Full No Frost refrigerators, evaporator malfunction manifests itself as follows:

• The evaporator freezes.
• The compressor runs non-stop.
• The cold air supply duct is frozen.
• The temperature regime of both chambers is disrupted.
• Excess moisture forms and the refrigerator leaks.

The door does not fit tightly

The appliance begins to produce much more cold to maintain the temperature inside if the door does not fit tightly to the body.

• Signs. Ice freezes on the walls and looks like a fur coat. Warm air helps the frost melt and melt water flows from under the refrigerator.
• Repair. You need to adjust the door hinges to their original state and do not clog the door with heavy products.

Video

We suggest watching a video on how to find the tray in a closed device case

The presence of water under the refrigerator is not yet a reason to call a professional. In some cases, leakage may be due to a recent power outage or a loose plug connection to the outlet. If this is not the reason, you should carefully inspect the household appliance. This will help you find out why your refrigerator is leaking.

Incorrect position of the refrigerator

The reasons for a refrigerator leak are commonplace. For example, its incorrect position or crooked floor. In this case, the door warps and does not fit as it should.

• At the same time, the door creaks and moves away, the refrigerator leaks inside, and water seeps out.
• Solution to the problem. Set up the equipment using a level. Many models have adjustable legs. If you don't have them, use stands.

Where is the leak coming from?

So, if a refrigerator breaks down and water accumulates under it, then you need to go through the entire chain of condensate drainage and evaporation. There's bound to be a problem somewhere. Note that this is an insignificant problem that can be solved independently. In this case, you most often do not need to call a technician, since there is no technical breakdown here. Of course, first of all it is necessary to determine where exactly the water is flowing from: from under the bottom or directly from the chamber. If there is water in the refrigerator compartment, this means that the condensation formed inside does not drain through the drainage system.

Freon leak

More often than others, owners of Atlant equipment encounter this problem. Freon is a cooling substance. The compressor “drives” it through the system. In a compressor, oil performs the lubricating function.

Due to malfunctions in the freon movement system, the devices leak. The reasons are: violation of the integrity of the circuit, food crumbs getting inside, clogged filter.

• Symptoms of malfunction Atlanta: the device stops freezing. Liquid accumulates inside and gradually comes out.
• The repair is carried out by a master who has special equipment for replacing freon.

Oil leak

Compressor failure can occur in any model, regardless of the manufacturer.

• Signs. It happens that you discover that the refrigerator is leaking from below, and the liquid underneath is not transparent, but brownish. This is oil that leaked from the compressor.
• What to do? Oil leaks mean that the integrity of the compressor is compromised, and a sealant will help quickly restore it, but this is only a temporary measure. You should definitely call a specialist so as not to completely damage the equipment.

The drain hole is clogged

This is another reason why water accumulates under the drawers in the refrigerator. You can also cope with cleaning it yourself. To avoid clogging this drain, you must avoid contact of packaging material and food with the elements of the “crying” evaporator. Then you will not be forced to ask the question of what to do when water accumulates in the refrigerator.

How to clean a refrigerator drain?

If your refrigerator is a double-compartment refrigerator with a weeping evaporator, and you notice that water is accumulating under the fruit and vegetable drawers, it is most likely due to a clogged drain.

You can eliminate this defect in 90% of cases yourself. For this:

1. Take a small rubber bulb.
2. Fill it with warm water, then squeeze it under strong pressure into the drain hole, which is located inside the refrigerator compartment.

That's it, your problem is solved!

If you are unable to find a solution to this problem yourself, you will need to call a specialist. Always remember that the water that flows out or accumulates on the surface of the rear wall at the bottom of the unit causes very important parts of the refrigerator to fail:

• Particular problems can be caused by rusting of the pipes through which the refrigerant passes. At the moment when the rust “eats” the pipe, the substance of the refrigerator will instantly begin to creep out, which will lead to immediate and final breakdown of the refrigeration device.
• Regular moisture can begin the process of rusting the metal casing, which can also quickly become unusable.

That's why don't ignore the problem if your refrigerator is accumulating under the drawers. At the slightest suspicion of unintended puddles in any compartment of the refrigerator, you must urgently find out and eliminate the problem. This will allow you to significantly extend the life of your refrigeration equipment.

A refrigerator in the kitchen is necessary for storing food. To maintain this unit in working condition, it is necessary to periodically, at least once every 1.5-2 months, disconnect it from the power supply and thoroughly wash it with warm water and detergents. It would seem that this unit, if the operating rules are followed, cannot cause unexpected breakdowns. But in some cases, housewives discover that water accumulates in the refrigerator or under it. What to do in such cases, should you panic or can this problem be easily solved on your own?

Thermostat failure

Due to a breakdown, the compressor immediately fails.

• Visually it looks like this: the indicator light does not light, and there is water inside the device.
• Repairing this type of breakdown is best done by professionals, since different models have different principles for placing, mounting and connecting the thermostat.

Features of repair of main models

In order to competently “provide assistance” to a cooling device, you need to know the features of each model. Here are the main ones:

• Indesit. A special feature of this model is the “crying” wall. Moisture, accumulating in the chamber, freezes on the back wall, and then, after settling, exits through a funnel into the tank. Often the passage becomes clogged and needs to be cleared using a soft wire. The second weak point is loose elastic bands. When replacing, be sure to know the dimensions and parameters of the old ones.

• Samsung with know frost system. This device does not require systematic defrosting, since “no frost” means “no frost.” These devices last a long time, but require maintenance. Failures can affect the formation of “snow” on the walls of the freezer, so as soon as you notice ice, immediately call a specialist, as this means that the dry freezing system has failed.

Useful tips

To prevent “fur coats” from appearing in technology, there are several useful tips:

• do not open the door for long or often;
• do not place open containers with liquids inside;
• package and cover food;
• Place plastic film on the inside of the cleaned evaporator;
• Clean your refrigerator thoroughly every 2-3 weeks.

As you can see, you can fix many problems and leaks from the refrigerator yourself, but for some, calling a specialist is required. Do you have any useful advice from personal experience for beginners? Write in the comments.

Tips for care and use

To make your equipment last longer, you must follow some simple operating rules:

1. Open the door only by the handle to avoid deformation of the rubber seal.
2. Use special silicone grease to care for the seal.
3. Do not place warm or hot foods in the refrigerator.
4. Make sure that food or its packaging does not come into contact with the evaporator.
5. Do not set the temperature as low as possible, especially in the hot season.
6. Defrost the unit regularly; for No Frost it is enough to do this once every six months.
7. When defrosting, do not chip the ice with sharp objects.

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