Keeping your refrigerator up and running typically requires minimal effort. As long as you clean up any food spills or messes, and periodically check the seal to make sure it’s not leaking cold air, you should usually be in good shape.
But, like any appliance, your refrigerator may have occasional issues that require attention either from you, or a professional technician. For instance, one day you might walk into your kitchen and find a pool of water on the floor in front of your fridge. Upon closer examination, you determine it’s not a spill or a melted ice cube: It’s a leak coming from the bottom of your refrigerator.
This is a relatively common problem, which, in some (but not all) cases, may have a relatively simple DIY solution. But before you can attempt to stop a leak, you have to figure out what’s causing it. I enlisted the help of an appliance repair expert for advice on troubleshooting refrigerator leaks, and why you shouldn’t ignore them.
Why is water is leaking from the bottom of my refrigerator?
Working as an appliance technician for more than nine years, Jason Carter has found that most refrigerator leaks can be traced back to one of three common issues: a blocked water line, a clogged defrost drain, or an improperly leveled refrigerator. Here’s what Carter—who is also the founder of Simply Swider, a website providing expert advice on DIY appliance repairs and other home maintenance tasks—recommends doing to locate the source of your refrigerator leak:
Step 1: Deal with the defrost drain
Typically located at the back of the freezer compartment, the defrost drain often becomes clogged with food particles or debris. “Look for ice buildup or blockages, and clear any clogs by using warm water in a turkey baster to melt the ice,” Carter advises. “If the blockage is deep, you might need to access and disconnect the hose by moving the fridge.”
Step 2: Inspect the water line
If you didn’t find any ice buildup or blockages—or if you did, but removing them didn’t stop the leak—it’s time to move on to the second-most-common culprit: The water line (if you have one).
Refrigerators that have a water dispenser or ice maker also have a water line; fridges without those features don’t. Here’s what to do if yours has a water line:
“Turn off the fridge and the water supply, then examine the line for any damage or ice blockages,” Carter says. “Damaged lines should be replaced—possibly by a technician.” Ice blockages are an easier fix: Simply defrosting the refrigerator for a few hours can resolve the issue.
Step 3: Check that it’s level
Finally, make sure your refrigerator is level. When a refrigerator is uneven, it can cause condensation to form, accumulate, and eventually leak, Carter says.
But don’t be concerned if you place a level on top of your fridge and notice that the bubble isn’t exactly in the center: According to Carter, the front of the refrigerator should be slightly higher than the back. This ensures that the internal coolant is able to flow properly. If the front of your fridge isn’t elevated slightly, Carter recommends adjusting the legs to achieve the right balance.
When to call an appliance technician
Of course, if, at any point, you feel like you’re in over your head, stop what you’re doing and get professional help. “If you don’t have experience with DIY repairs, it’s best not to attempt them and call a technician right away,” Carter says. “You could potentially cause more harm than good.”
On the other hand, if you do feel comfortable with DIY repairs, but need some additional advice and instruction, Carter suggests turning to online resources. “I would recommend joining Facebook groups where there are experienced repairers who can offer remote assistance for free to help identify the problem,” he says. “Keep in mind that the most challenging part is often identifying the cause of the issue. If you’re experienced with DIY repairs, you can also find tutorials on YouTube, as there are plenty available there.”
Why you should never ignore a leaky refrigerator
In addition to the inconvenience and hazards of having a perpetual puddle of water on your kitchen floor, there are other reasons why your leaky refrigerator requires immediate attention. For starters, it can damage the floor, causing stains, deformation, or mold growth, Carter says. “In the long term, this can significantly shorten the service life of the appliance, leading to corrosion and rusting of internal components,” he says. “Consequently, more costly repairs or even complete replacement may become unavoidable.”
