Why Is My Fridge Leaking Water?

If your fridge is leaking while it’s switched on, we can help advise you on the most common areas to inspect. 

• Condensation on the back wall runs down into a collection gully which sits at the back of the fridge - on some models this can be identified as “V” shape and works similar to home guttering.
• Food can block the drain hole, if not cleared the water will not drain resulting in a possible leak.

To remove any blockages follow these simple steps:

• Use something bendable but ensure it’s not sharp as you don’t want to damage the insulation or injure yourself.
• Carefully insert the makeshift tool into the blocked drain hole.
• Once clear pour a small amount of sterilising liquid down the hole.
• We even have a handy cleaning tool to clear the entry point of the fridge drain hole for debris.    

How To >

Another common cause of a leak is a faulty door gasket. Any food or dirt build-up can block the seal from closing securely - consequently causing excessive condensation which may cause a leak. 

• Check the seal creates a secure connection to the door; this will stop the outside warmer air from entering the fridge cabinet.
• Take a look to see if your appliance is level, - a forward tilting fridge freezer may result in the doors not sealing.  Adjust the feet on the front of the fridge to level it off.
• If on inspection the doors are not closing or the door gasket is damaged, it will need to be replaced. 

Luckily for you, eSpares has a range of door seals to help you get your appliance back into working order.  

See our helpful video guide on replacing the door gasket.

A rather common reason which may be a cause for an unexpected leak may be the drainage hose. The drainage hose removes the water from the fridge and into a water tray, at the back of the fridge freezer above the compressor. If damaged or perished the water will of course leak eventually resulting in a flooded floor.

Safety First! Please ensure that you have disconnected the appliance from the mains before starting any repair.

To diagnose that the hose is in fact damaged:

• Carefully gain access to the back of the appliance; the drain hose will be located behind the condenser, (these are the metal coils attached to the back of your fridge freezer).
• Gently move the condenser to one side while supporting it, taking care not to damage the pipework as it can be an expensive repair.
• Check the hose for visible signs of deterioration or cracks and replace if required.

eSpares Top Tip: If you’re feeling super productive clean the water tray located above the compressor for a buildup of gunk. Clean the condenser coils using a soft brush and vacuum to keep your appliance at its efficient best. 

If your frost free fridge or freezer is whirring away as if it is working correctly but the temperature is not cold enough the it may have too much ice.

A common cause for the temperature to rise is when the evaporator gets blocked with ice and is not cleared by the defrost circuit so the air from the fan cannot pass through and cool the interior. Follow these steps to help identify the fault:

Safety First! Prior to beginning any repair, please disconnect your appliance from the mains.

• Check that the compressor is running correctly.
• Remove the evaporator cover and check for ice build up.
• If excess ice is found you are likely to have a fault with the defrost circuit and will need to view the 'How To' video below.

There you have it very simple steps to check if this is the problem with your appliance.

For further information on diagnosing a defrost problem see our video below.

How To >