Refrigerator leaking water
Find where the water is
| Where the water is | Likely source |
|---|---|
| Under the crisper drawers, or a sheet of ice on the freezer floor | Clogged or frozen defrost drain |
| On the floor at the back, clean water, gets worse over time | Water supply line or inlet valve |
| On the floor at the front, small puddle now and then | Drain pan cracked or out of place |
| Dripping from the dispenser or inside near the filter | Filter not seated, cracked filter housing, or dispenser line |
Clogged defrost drain
Meltwater from each defrost cycle runs through a small drain to a pan under the refrigerator, where it evaporates. When the drain clogs with food particles or freezes over, the water has nowhere to go. It collects under the drawers or leaks out the door. The repair is to clear and flush the drain. On models where the drain freezes again and again, we add a drain heater or clip that keeps it open.
Supply line and inlet valve
If the refrigerator has an ice maker or water dispenser, a thin water line runs to it from the wall. Plastic lines get brittle with age and crack when the refrigerator is pushed back. The inlet valve where the line connects can also drip. Close the shutoff valve to stop the leak until it is repaired. We replace old plastic lines with braided steel.
Protect the floor
Many Sherman Oaks kitchens have hardwood or laminate floors, and many are in upstairs units. A slow leak under a refrigerator can go unnoticed for weeks and damage the floor or the ceiling below. If you see water, pull the refrigerator out and look. If you rent, tell the property manager on the same day.