Refrigerator leaking water
Water on the floor in front of the fridge, or pooling inside it, usually comes from a clogged defrost drain, a leaking water line to the ice maker, or a drain pan that's cracked or out of place. Notice where the water shows up first; that tells you which one you're dealing with. If it's a clogged defrost drain, a turkey baster full of warm water is often all it takes to push the clog through.
Where the water comes from
Most frost-free fridges melt frost off the cooling coils several times a day. The water runs down a drain tube to a pan underneath, where it evaporates. If the drain clogs with food bits or ice, the water backs up and ends up under the crisper drawers or on the floor.
Fridges with an ice maker or water dispenser also have a thin water supply line at the back. A loose fitting or cracked line there can leak slowly behind the fridge.
Why fridges leak
Food bits or ice block the tube.
A loose fitting or a cracked line.
Water spills instead of evaporating.
Water doesn't drain the way it should.
| Where you see it | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Under the crisper drawers | Clogged defrost drain | Clear and flush the drain. |
| On the floor in front | Drain overflow or the pan | Drain, pan, and level. |
| Behind the fridge | The water line | Check fittings and the line. |
| Ice in the bottom of the freezer | Frozen drain or a defrost problem | Thaw and flush; call for repair if it returns. |
Find the leak, then fix it
- Find where the water isDry everything, then check again in a few hours. Water under the crisper drawers points to the defrost drain. Water behind or under the fridge points to the water line or the drain pan.
- Clear the defrost drainFind the drain hole at the back of the fridge compartment, often under the crisper drawers or on the back wall. Push a pipe cleaner in gently and flush it with warm water from a turkey baster until the water drains freely. On some models the drain is in the freezer, behind a rear panel; check your manual.
- Check the drain panUnplug the fridge and pull it out carefully. Take off the kick plate and look at the drain pan underneath for cracks or overflow. Your manual shows where it sits.
- Check the water lineShut off the water to the fridge first; the valve is usually under the sink or behind the fridge. Then look at the supply line and its connections. Snug a leaking fitting gently (don't overtighten plastic compression fittings), and replace a line that's cracked or kinked.
- Level the fridgeMany fridges are meant to tilt slightly back so the doors close and water drains properly. Adjust the front feet as the manual describes.
Watch it done
- No water under the crisper drawers or on the floor a few hours later
- Water poured into the defrost drain runs out freely
- The water line fittings stay dry
- The doors close on their own with the fridge tilted slightly back
Drain freezing over again? That's a job for an appliance technician.
If it's still leaking
If the defrost drain freezes over again, the defrost system may not be working properly. That's a repair for an appliance technician.
If ice builds up in the freezer or water pools there, the door seal may be letting warm, moist air in. Check the gasket.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): An appliance repair visit typically costs $100–$200; defrost system repairs usually run $150–$400.
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