Is Your Refrigerator Leaking in Fort Worth? Understanding The Top 9 Culprits Behind A Leaky Refrigerator

Situated in North Central Texas, Fort Worth has a rich history as a hub for the Longhorn cattle trade. Nowadays, it offers affordable housing, a thriving job market, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and plenty of outdoor activities. From the Fort Worth Arts Festival to the Lone Star International Film Festival and the Fort Worth Opera Festival, you can't help but appreciate the city's dynamic offerings, culture, and arts community. Amidst festivals, work life, and other outdoor activities available to the residents of Fort Worth, it's easy to forget about the inner workings of your home. When your appliances begin to malfunction, it can be a huge headache. What if you've noticed your refrigerator leaking, for example?

When you've got refrigerator leaking issues, you need a Fort Worth appliance repair specialist you can trust. We'll help you restore your peace of mind and the convenience of smoothly running appliances.

Our team of appliance repair specialists are committed to delivering the highest standards of customer service. With our wealth of experience and expansive skill set, we'll get your refrigerator leaking problems under control promptly and efficiently. We know how stressful it can be when your unit is leaking water all over your kitchen floors. When we arrive on-site, we'll assess the situation, diagnose the problem, and determine the best course of action to get your fridge back up and running. With decades of experience serving the local communities of Fort Worth, Cleburne, Cresson, Crowley, Godley, Granbury, Haltom City, Joshua, Keene, and Naval Air Station Jrb, we're your ally in-home appliance repairs and service.

In this blog post, we'll discuss the top 9 reasons your refrigerator's water leaks. Let's dive in!

The Top 9 Causes of Your Refrigerator Leaking

Your refrigerator is one of the most essential machines in your home appliance arsenal. It keeps your refrigerated and frozen food items fresh until you're ready to use them, preserves out-of-season foods like berries and meats, and ensures your family's sustenance. But as all machines do from time to time, your refrigerator is bound to experience issues occasionally that require experienced refrigerator repair. It can be scary to see puddles of water pooling at the bottom of your fridge. You may find yourself grabbing a clean kitchen towel in a panic, trying to sop up the mess. And if you don't know the cause of the refrigerator leaking issue, it can be twice as stressful. Let's take a look at 9 of the most common reasons why you might find your refrigerator leaking and what you can do about it below.

1. Clogged Crisis: Blocked Defrost Drain Hose

Problem: The defrost drain's job is to carry defrost cycle water to the drain pan located at the bottom of the fridge. But, when your defrost drain has a clog, you'll find an unwelcome surprise of water at the base of your fridge. Many things can cause a clog in your drain, such as a buildup of debris, food particles, ice, or dust. So, what can you do about it before the refrigerator leaking gets worse, causing water damage or worse?

Solution: Before you embark upon any appliance repair, no matter the appliance, ensure the unit is unplugged. Look for the drain pan, which is located at the bottom of the fridge and empty it. You will have to remove the panel at the bottom of the fridge to access the drain pan. The defrost drain is likely behind the produce drawers. Once you locate the drain, use a snake to clear the debris and other clogs out of it. Use warm water to clear out ice. Once the drain has been cleared, replace the drain pan and say goodbye to your refrigerator leaking problems!

2. Ice Issues: Frozen Water Line

Problem: When the ice maker in your fridge ceases to make ice, then you may have a frozen water supply line on your hands, resulting in refrigerator leaking problems. When your fridge is facing a malfunction, or a coolant issue, for example, your fridge condenser coils will get too cold, freezing the water supply line. Unfortunately, there's only so much you can do yourself to solve the problem.

Solution: The first thing you'll want to do is locate the frozen water line. Once you've located the line, it's best to defrost the fridge. You can do this by turning the temperature setting down to 40 degrees. If this process does not help to defrost the water line, it's best to call in one of our repair professionals for expert attention and refrigerator leaking services.

3. Pile Up On Aisle Frost: Ice Buildup

Problem: There are a few reasons why your fridge may be frosting up leading to refrigerator leaking issues. Your thermostat could be set too high, or maybe the door is being opened and closed too frequently, turning the additional moisture into ice. Or perhaps you haven't allowed your hot food to cool down enough before putting it in the fridge, changing the fridge's inner temperatures.

Solution: The best thing to do in the instance of frost buildup is to fully defrost your fridge. First, take all food items out of the fridge and put them in a second one, if you have one on hand. Or else put the items in coolers. Next, unplug the fridge, leaving the door open, and let it defrost for up to 12 hours. Ensure your thermometer is set to the correct temperature to prevent another buildup issue and your refrigerator from leaking in the future.

4. Drain Dilemma: Cracked Drain Pan

Problem: Your drain pan sits at the bottom of your fridge. Its job is to collect the condensation dripping from evaporator fans. But when your drain pain has a crack or is otherwise damaged, it will cause the excess water that normally collects and evaporates in the pan to spill onto your kitchen floor.

Solution: It's relatively simple to check if you have an issue with your drain pan. Simply remove the panel at the bottom of the fridge. Behind this panel, you'll find your unit's drain pan. Inspect the pan to see if there are any cracks or damage. Unfortunately, drain pans cannot be repaired. If you mind damage, then you'll need to get a drip pan replacement. Once you do, your refrigerator leaking issues should be no more!

5. Seal Sorrows: Broken Door Seal

Problem: When you notice your refrigerator leaking, it could be due to a broken door seal. A door seal or gasket is essential in keeping the entire unit's cold air from escaping into the room it's located in. When warm air gets into the machine, it will cause excess condensation accumulation, resulting in leakage issues. The same goes for your freezer compartment. Excess moisture will form and cause frost buildup.

Solution: There are two easy ways to check if your door seal is broken. First, open the refrigerator doors for signs of damage. If you notice any cracks, then the fridge will not be able to seal cold air inside the unit. Second, take a piece of paper and close it in the door. If the paper can be easily removed, the seal is likely broken. If it stays snug in the seal, then you're facing another issue with your refrigerator leaking problems.

6. Tipping Troubles: Unbalanced Fridge

Problem: An unbalanced fridge is an often overlooked issue when you notice your refrigerator leaking. It can cause condensation to spill out of the bottom of the machine. You want the feet in the front of the fridge to be 1/4" higher than the feet at the back of the unit. Luckily, the fridge's feet are adjustable and can be raised or lowered right at home!

Solution: To adjust your fridge's feet, simply take a level and place it on top of the fridge or one of the shelves inside the unit. Raise the fridge on the indicated side until the level is even. Once the fridge is at the optimal height, have another person adjust the feet to the desired height. The fridge will then be even, even if your kitchen floors are uneven, and you can say bye to a refrigerator leaking.

7. Harrowing Heat: Humidity Issues

Problem: When you live in a humid climate, it can wreak havoc on your unit and cause refrigerator leaking issues. You want to keep your fridge cool in those hot summer months. But every time you open the fridge door, it allows the moisture from the kitchen to settle into the fridge and extra condensation to gather. The inside temperature of your refrigerator will then decrease and cause your machine to leak.

Solution: In high-humidity places, you have two options when it comes to a refrigerator leak. First, you can manually empty the drain pan. The drain pan is located at the bottom of your fridge behind a panel. Alternatively, you can install a refrigerator dehumidifier.

8. Filter Fears: Bad Filter Connection

Problem: Fridges come with all kinds of extra features nowadays that make our lives easier. One of these features is a built-in water filter. But, when there's a bad water supply connection between the unit and the filter, it can cause refrigerator leaking problems.

Solution: Water filters can wear out quite quickly, so it's likely you just need to replace them. Take out the old water and install a new one. If you're still having refrigerator leaking issues after the filter has been replaced, it's time to call in a professional for help.

9. Water Line Woes: Damaged or Worn-Out Water Line

Problem: Just like many components of your home, water lines are bound to wear out or get damaged over time. Tiny cracks will develop along your water lines causing refrigerator leaking issues. Once enough leakage has happened, you will see water puddling at the bottom of your fridge.

Solution: Fixing a water line is a little tricky. You can try removing the refrigerator leaking section with scissors and replacing it with a new length or some kind of clamp. However, unless this is a repair you're well practiced in, we suggest hiring a professional to get the job done. They possess the experience and expertise for water line repairs, and an improper fix can cause more problems in the long run.

Knowing When to Call in the Pros

When your appliances are in working order, it's easy to forget they're even there! They are the silent sentinels that offer effortless convenience. So, when they break down, it can be a huge stressor. If you've given the above solutions a try and your fridge is still leaking water all over the floor, it's time to call in our team of trusted professionals. We're Fort Worth's #1 choice for appliance repair, and because of that, you know that you'd be hard-pressed to find a problem we haven't seen or fixed before.

Brands We Service When You've Got a Leaky Fridge

You might be wondering what minor and major appliance brands we service when you've noticed your refrigerator leaking or if you have problems with your other units. Not to worry! We service many brands for many different types of fridge models, such as:

  • Dacor
  • Bosch
  • Whirlpool
  • Maytag
  • Samsung
  • KitchenAid
  • Jenn Air
  • GE (including GE Monogram)
  • LG
  • And more!

Refrigerator Leaking? Fort Worth, We're Your #1 Choice for Appliance Repairs and Service!

When your refrigerator tries to turn your kitchen floor into a pool, you can rely on us for expert assistance in appliance repairs. Whether you need help with your refrigerator leaking problems or you require our wide range of other services, such as electric or gas dryer repair, oven, stovetop, range repair and service, washing machine repair, and more, we'll get the job done right the first time!

Contact us today for service in Fort Worth and surrounding areas. We'll get the refrigerator running smoothly once more!