Why is My Refrigerator Leaking Water? 7 Common Reasons

Water has its place in your home, and where it appears where it shouldn’t, like from underneath your kitchen fridge, it’s reasonable to panic a little. A refrigerator leaking is a common repair issue our appliance experts frequently fix, so we can understand your concern.

Unfortunately, there are a wide range of issues that could cause your fridge to leak—clogs, debris buildup, coolant issues, excess condensation, and even its tilt can lead to your refrigerator leaking water around your appliance. Luckily, there are ways for you to fix these problems, or at least find out the cause of your refrigerator leaking water with the help of the qualified Madison appliance repair experts at Mr. Appliance.

Let’s take a look at some common causes of a refrigerator leaking water, and what you can do to troubleshoot refrigerator leaks.

Water Supply Line Blockage

The water supply line in your fridge is responsible for delivering fresh and cold water to the built-in dispenser and ice maker. If you have a clogged water line, you may notice puddles of water pooling underneath your appliance, and the water dispenser or ice maker may not function properly.

To check if the supply line is blocked, you will first need to turn off the appliance and turn on the shutoff valve, and call a friend to help you carefully pull the fridge away from the wall. From there, you can inspect the line for any kinks, bends, or obstructions. Additionally, you can disconnect the line to the fridge and blow air through it or use a pipe cleaner to clear any potential blockages. Sometimes, a bit of ice may get stuck inside the line, so gently defrosting the line with a hairdryer can also help. Once you have cleared any blockages, carefully reattach the water supply line and test the water flow.

If it appears to be in good condition, you can reconnect the supply line and proceed to check the water filter for any clogs or build-up. It's important to ensure the water flow is unobstructed to prevent any further issues with your refrigerator leaking or your water supply.

If the problem persists, or your refrigerator water line is leaking at the valve, it may be necessary to call a professional to replace the water supply connection or line altogether to stop your refrigerator from leaking and water puddling everywhere.

Uneven Fridge

When we say an uneven unit is the cause of your refrigerator leaking, we don’t mean that it needs to be perfectly level. A fridge should be slightly tilted backward so that water can flow towards the back and be collected in the drain pan. This is to prevent your refrigerator from leaking all over the floor and causing water damage. The tilt also allows for coolant to flow evenly, as without the tilt, it will pool in the pipes, making your appliance work harder to move it and create additional condensation that sends beads of water to the floor or bottom of the appliance, which also could be the cause of your refrigerator leaking.

You will need to call a friend to help troubleshoot this issue, as you may need to move the appliance to get to the back end. With the use of a leveler, make sure it’s even from left to right, and there is a slight backward slope. If there isn’t, you will need to adjust the legs or rollers with a wrench. Aim for the front to be a ¼ inch to ½ inch higher than the back. Once everything is at the proper height and level, put your refrigerator back in place.

Blocked Defrost Drain

Blockages of any kind are bad for any kitchen appliance, especially when it comes to drains. Your fridge’s defrost drain can become clogged with food particles, dust, and debris over time. Much like in the case of an uneven fridge, a blocked drain will cause excess condensation on your fridge condenser coils and back wall, which will then drip down into the bottom of the refrigerator or onto the floor, causing your refrigerator to leak.

Unblocking the drain will likely solve the problem. In most fridge models, it is located in the back of the freezer compartment, so first try moving things around in that section to ensure loose food isn't obstructing it and clear the drain of debris or frozen food items. It should be noted that regularly cleaning and organizing your refrigerator and freezer can help prevent a lot of issues, such as your refrigerator leaking.

If the issue persists after a day, it could indicate a clog in the drain line. After removing everything into safe containers, unplug your unit. Be sure to refer to your user manual for instructions on how to proceed, and before removing the plastic plate covering the drain hole and, using a turkey baster or funnel, send hot water down the defrost drain, to melt any ice or flush away small crumbs that could be causing the blockage. Afterward, plug your appliance back in.

If the issue persists, you may be dealing with a stubborn clog, so be sure to consult with your local kitchen appliance specialist about what to do next.

Damaged Drain Pan

Your Refrigerator’s drain pan is responsible for collecting condensation and excess water that accumulates during the refrigeration process. Normally, the liquid collected here evaporates on its own, but if the drain pan becomes damaged, it could lead to your refrigerator leaking water everywhere.

In a damaged drain pan, the condensate water could escape through a hole or crack, dripping down inside or onto your kitchen floors. In this case, you will need to replace it. A quick trip to your local hardware store can procure a new drain pan, although be sure to consult your appliance manual on how to properly replace and what kind you need for your refrigerator model. Or contact your local appliance service professional to do a drip pan replacement service.

Ice Maker Issues

The built-in ice maker on your fridge can cause several reasons why your refrigerator is leaking.

The inlet tube to the ice dispenser could become clogged and cause leaks. To see if this is the issue, unplug your appliance before removing the ice maker. After unplugging the wiring harness, inspect it, and if there is any piece of an ice cube stuck in it, use a hairdryer to gently melt any trapped ice so that water drains from the tube. Once clear, reassemble everything.

It could also be the water inlet valve that supplies water to the ice maker. After turning the water off at the saddle valve, disconnect the supply tube. Hold it over the bucket, and have a friend turn on the saddle valve. If water is flowing freely, you will likely need to either tighten the compression nuts at the inlet valve or replace it. But if there is a leak in the tube, you will need to replace it. An appliance repair specialist service will be able to tell you if there is a water leak issue with the inlet valve or tube.

Improper Seals

Your refrigerator door seals help keep the cold air inside your freezer, preserving your food and preventing it from spoiling. These seals also play a crucial role in reducing energy consumption by ensuring that the refrigerator operates efficiently. If your seals are worn-out or broken, it causes more issues than making your unit work harder to maintain a cold temperature, so it's important to examine your fridge for signs of damaged seals.

When warm air meets cold air, condensation forms. This excess condensation can create ice buildup inside your freezer, and if it struggles to maintain temperature, can lead to it melting, leading to your refrigerator leaking water all over the floor.

You can try cleaning your door seals with soap, warm water, and a clean kitchen towel, or lubricating them with a thin layer of petroleum jelly to keep them from drying out and cracking. But if there are noticeable signs of wear, cracks, or it’s peeling off in sections, you may need to schedule service to replace them.

High Humidity

Sometimes, the issue may not be with the appliance itself. High humidity in your home causes more problems than bad hair days, it can also cause issues with your refrigerator or freezer.

Excess moisture in the air can lead to extra condensation build-up on the inside of these appliances, which can result in mold growth, a malfunctioning cooling system, or your refrigerator leaking. In this case, you will have to adjust the humidity levels in your home by using a dehumidifier or improving ventilation. You can also inspect and repair any damaged door seals on your refrigerator to prevent warm air from entering and causing condensation.

Refrigerator Leaking? Call The Experts at Mr. Appliance of Madison, WI!

Because the causes of your refrigerator leaking water everywhere are so varied, when in doubt, you should call an appliance repair specialist. Because the professional team at Mr. Appliance of Madison, WI have years of industry experience on their side, they will be able to quickly diagnose the issue and provide you with the best possible solution for your needs. If you don’t have the time or comfortable carrying out a DIY repair or troubleshooting session yourself, you can always depend on the experts for help.