Appliance Broken
Stay tuned for news on the arrival of repair.com in your area
Freezer leaking water
By B. Leslie Baird
Let's fix this!
Freezer leaking water? It’s likely due to a problem in the defrost drain or a leak in the ice maker. You may be able to solve such problems quite quickly, possibly in just a few steps. Have the owner’s manual available to help you find the location of the parts for troubleshooting.
Safety notice: Before attempting to repair an appliance, always shut off its power supply. This can be done by unplugging the unit from the wall outlet, removing the appropriate fuse from the fuse box, or flipping the appropriate breaker in the circuit breaker panel.
|
Possible causes |
Signs to look for |
What to do |
|---|---|---|
No electrical power |
|
1. Check to ensure that the freezer is plugged in. Note: If your electrical panel uses fuses rather than circuit breakers, you may not be able to see a visible indication that the fuse has blown. Arrange for repair service to have the fuses checked and replaced, if necessary.
Note: If the bulb doesn’t light, try plugging it into an outlet you know to be working. It’s sometimes possible for a bulb to burn out unexpectedly. Taking this extra step can help you avoid an unnecessary service call. |
Defrost switch selector set to DEFROST |
Has your freezer been set to DEFROST mode? |
Some models have a selector switch to allow for a manual defrost cycle. If your freezer has this setting (check your owner’s manual), ensure that the switch wasn’t set to defrost accidentally. If the freezer was in a defrost cycle, check it in about an hour to ensure it is working. |
Side-by-side or bottom freezer drain system clogged |
Has ice formed over the freezer drain? |
These freezers can develop ice buildup that clogs the drain. Particles of food can add to the problem. See our step-by-step guide to unclogging the drain and drain tubes. Note: Not all refrigerator/freezer models have an accessible drain inside the unit. These models, including some Frigidaire units, need to be fully disassembled to access the drain and drain lines. This task requires freezer repair from a qualified professional. Check your owner's manual for the location of your drain. |
Top-freezer refrigerator defrost system frozen |
|
The defrost cycle will sometimes turn off before the water can finish draining, allowing ice to build up along the system. This can cause water to collect and puddle in the bottom of the unit. Allow the system to thaw. Follow the step-by-step directions in our guide to unclogging a defrost drain and drain tubes. If your drain system is inaccessible, call for repair help or consider simply unplugging the appliance and allowing it to thaw manually. Store food in ice chests while you wait. |
Lack of evaporation |
Is the drain pan constantly overflowing? |
Water should evaporate from the pan quickly enough to prevent the need to empty it. Evaporation may happen naturally or by the placement of the pan. Pans located near the compressor are subject to heat from the compressor and extra air movement from the condenser fan, accelerating evaporation. If the drain pan overflows on a regular basis, your freezer defrost cycle may be occurring too frequently or your condenser fan may not be operating completely. Have a freezer repair specialist check it out. |
Ice maker leaking water |
|
1. The ice maker fill tube should be located along the back wall of the freezer.
2. Check the water connection behind the refrigerator.
|
Drain pan displaced, dirty or damaged |
|
Locate the drain pan: Front accessible pans: Remove the bottom cover or grill, and gently slide the pan out from underneath the unit. The edges of metal pans may be sharp, so wear protective gloves. Rear accessible pans: Pull the unit away from the wall. The drain pan may be covered with a thin plastic or cardboard cover near the bottom. Remove the cover, and gently remove the drain pan while wearing gloves.
|
Freezer door gasket damaged |
Does the seal along the freezer door look warped, brittle or ripped? |
A poor seal that is not airtight can cause warm air to leak into the freezer and condensation to form, appearing like leaking water droplets. Replacing a brittle door gasket is a fairly simply DIY project. See our guide to refrigerator gasket replacement for step-by-step instructions. |
Still seeking a solution? Schedule freezer repair service with a qualified professional.
What to do until your freezer is repaired
If the ice maker is leaking and you have an accessible water shutoff, turn the water off to stop the water flow until the ice maker is repaired. Turning the shutoff clockwise should do the trick.
In all other cases, mop up leaking water quickly to avoid accidents and prevent mold or mildew from forming.
Not sure where your water shutoff valve is located? See our guide to shutting off the water supply to your refrigerator.
Repair or replace?
A freezer leaking water is annoying, but repair should be a much more affordable option than buying a new unit. However, if the repair turns out to be complicated and your unit is getting old (freezers last an average of 16 years), now may be a good time to explore possibilities.
If you do decide to shop, look for an Energy Star model; it will use 10% less energy than a model not labeled Energy Star. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that if you purchased your freezer before 1993, it is costing you an extra $35 each year on your utility bills compared to a new Energy Star-qualified model. If you bought it in the 1980s, it's costing you an extra $70 each year.
Service pro's plea: If in doubt, stay out. Don't risk causing more damage to your product (or yourself!) by attempting to fix it on your own. It's also easier and quicker for a service technician to diagnose and fix a problem when the product is assembled. In the end, you'll save time and money.
B. Leslie Baird
Barbara has an A.S. degree in engineering technology and a certificate in mechanics. She spent many years in the electro-mechanical trades. She's also worked as an electrician and performed other construction-related work.