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REFRIGERATION

Troubleshooting

Water leaking under the refrigerator

Every refrigerator produces water. Moisture from the air freezes on the evaporator, melts during defrost and runs down a drain to a tray, usually near the compressor, where heat evaporates it. Water on the floor means that path is broken somewhere: the drain is blocked, the tray is overflowing or cracked, or the unit is not level and water runs the wrong way. In monsoon months and in busy kitchens the volume of condensate goes up sharply, so a marginal drain that coped in winter may overflow in July. Fix it quickly; a wet floor in a kitchen is a slip hazard and standing water near electrics is unsafe.

First, check these

  1. Isolate power before you look under or behind the unit if water is near the plug, socket or compressor.
  2. Find where the water comes from. Wipe the floor dry and watch: inside the cabinet, at the back near the tray, or at the front under the door?
  3. Check whether the unit is level side to side and front to back. Most cabinets need a slight backward tilt so water runs to the drain.
  4. Pull out or inspect the evaporation tray if accessible without tools. Look for cracks or overflow.
  5. Check inside the cabinet for water pooling under the evaporator or ice blocking the drain hole.

Likely causes

  1. 1. Blocked internal drain

    You can check this

    Signs: Water pools on the cabinet floor or drips from the evaporator area and runs out of the door.

    Fix: Clear food debris from the drain opening and flush the line with warm water. Repeat regularly in kitchens with flour, rice or vegetable trimmings around.

  2. 2. Unit not level

    You can check this

    Signs: Water collects at the front or one side, door swings open or shut on its own.

    Fix: Adjust the feet or castors with a spirit level. Lock castors after levelling.

  3. 3. Evaporation tray overflowing or cracked

    You can check this

    Signs: Water at the back near the compressor, tray full to the brim or visibly damaged.

    Fix: Empty and clean the tray, check for cracks and replace if damaged. Persistent overflow means more water than it can evaporate, so look at door habits and humidity.

  4. 4. Drain hose disconnected or split

    Technician job

    Signs: Water appears under the unit even though the drain inside is clear and the tray is not full.

    Fix: Reconnect or replace the hose if it is reachable without removing panels; otherwise a technician should do it.

  5. 5. Frozen drain in a freezer

    Technician job

    Signs: Ice in the freezer drain, water overflowing during defrost then freezing in the cabinet.

    Fix: A technician should check the drain heater and defrost termination settings.

  6. 6. Door gasket leak causing excess condensate

    You can check this

    Signs: Lots of water during defrost, frost on the gasket, sweating on the door frame.

    Fix: Clean or replace the gasket and check door alignment, which reduces the moisture entering.

When to call a technician

Call a technician if water keeps appearing after you have cleared the drain, levelled the unit and checked the tray, if the leak comes from inside the machine compartment, if a freezer drain refreezes, or if water has reached any wiring or the controller. Mention whether the water appears constantly or only after defrost cycles.

Water and electricity together are dangerous. Isolate power at the socket or MCB before mopping near plugs or the compressor compartment, and dry the area before switching back on. Do not open electrical panels. Sealed-system and hydrocarbon (R290 or R600a) work is for trained technicians only.

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