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Is your freezer leaking water?
I know how concerning it can be to have a water leak, especially when you don’t want to damage your floor.
Luckily, you’ve come to the right place to fix the issue.
If your freezer is leaking water, it probably has a cracked drain pan, ice maker issues, or a clogged drain hole. A malfunctioning temperature control could also explain the problem.
Read on to keep your freezer from leaking!
Why trust us? This article was written by Craig Anderson and Andy Fulenchek.
Craig has helped thousands of other homeowners repair their appliances since 2016.
Andy is one of our resident appliance repair experts with over a decade of experience. He currently runs his appliance repair company with a team of trusted technicians.
Why Is Your Freezer Leaking? 6 Common Reasons (With Fixes)
In this section, I’ll guide you through the different reasons why your freezer is leaking water and provide various solutions to fix the leak.
Are you ready? Let’s dive in!
#1 There is a Cracked Drain Pan
When I see a fridge freezer leaking water underneath, it’s typically because of a broken drain pan.
The drain pan collects the water created as part of the defrost cycle. It provides an area to store the water as it evaporates away. Unfortunately, water could leak underneath the freezer if there is a crack in the drain pan.
The drain pan is usually located at the bottom of your freezer. However, please read the manufacturer’s manual for further instructions on accessing it.
Take a look at the drain pan. Make sure there are no cracks or any other signs of damage. While you’re at it, please clean the pan with warm soapy water.
If you notice any cracks, please replace the drain pan.
If you want to get any replacement part – or see how much one would cost – click to enter your model number in the search bar below. Our partners at AppliancePartsPros stock almost every part with free guides on how to install them.
Bear in mind that the drain pan should never overflow. It’s adequately sized to hold the water from the defrost cycle and allow it to evaporate throughout the day.
If the pan is not dirty or cracked but is overflowing, it could indicate a leak from the water filter housing. In such cases, you’ll need to remove the kick panel and inspect the filter housing. Please replace it if it’s leaking. If you decide to call a professional, you can expect to pay around $250.
#2 The Food is Not Stored Properly
Before diving into more complex issues, I recommend checking your food, as there could be an issue with how it has been stored.
If you have many items that contain a lot of moisture, it could lead to an elevated humidity level within the freezer’s interior, resulting in a water leak.
To solve the issue, please rearrange your food to ensure proper air circulation. Avoid blocking the vents and stacking items on top of each other. Make sure your food is properly dried and sealed in airtight containers.
Removing any items with excessive moisture or condensation contributing to the water leak is also important.
#3 Ice Maker Issues
My usual advice when fixing a freezer leaking water is to check the ice maker.
Water can spill into the freezer compartment if your ice maker is overflowing due to a faulty water valve.
A clear sign of an overflowing icemaker is a sheet of ice forming beneath or around it. Additionally, you can also see water dripping or spilling from the icemaker during or immediately after its fill cycle.
To determine if you have a leaking water valve, disconnect the outlet valves from the water valve while leaving the water line hooked up. Then, observe the water valve for any drips or leaks.
If the valve Is leaking, you’ll need to replace it. Keep in mind that doing so can cost between $200 to $350, including labor.
Note: The replacement cost will vary depending on the accessibility and location of the water valve. If the water valve is behind the unit and is easily accessible, it can reduce labor time and costs.
While you’re at it, please check the ice maker tray, as it can develop cracks due to wear and tear or sudden temperature changes, resulting in water leaks.
If you notice icicles coming from beneath the ice maker, then water is escaping from somewhere other than the intended area. In such cases, I find it best to replace the entire unit. Trying to seal a crack is not a long-term solution.
#4 The Drain Hole is Clogged
In my experience, your freezer can leak water if there’s a problem with the drain hole.
The drain hole, commonly called the defrost hole, is located at the back of the freezer. It is responsible for taking water and draining it from the unit.
Your freezer can leak if the drain hole has become clogged with debris, food, or other particles.
To identify a clogged drain hole, look for a sheet of ice at the bottom of your freezer cabinet or at the trough where the water collects to meet the defrost line.
To solve the issue, you can access the rubber duck bill (or duckbill valve) behind the unit and make a larger hole for better water flow. For an easier solution, simply use a turkey baster with warm water to clear the ice.
Note: Avoid boiling water as it can deform the plastic parts.
#5 The Appliance is Not on Even Ground
If you’re still struggling with a leaking freezer, it’s probably not level.
From what I’ve seen, an uneven freezer can affect the door seal’s effectiveness and cause the defrost drainage system not to work as expected. As a result, water can either spill into the freezer or refrigerator cabinet.
Take a look at the length of the legs. If the floor is perfectly level, the distance between the bottom of the freezer and the top of the floor should be the same across all legs. If not, you’ll have to get creative and add planks or shims to raise any appliance parts that can’t be adjusted.
You can measure the distance relatively easily using a tape measure. If you find the measurements are different, you have found the problem. You will need to adjust the length of the legs if you want your freezer to sit level. Otherwise, it will probably continue to leak.
Tip: You can also use a spirit level to level your freezer.
#6 The Temperature Control is Faulty
Is your freezer leaking water and not freezing even after trying the fixes above? Then it’s time to check the temperature control.
The temperature control ensures your freezer is cold enough to protect the food you have put inside. If your freezer is too warm, the ice sheets will start to melt. As a result, you’ll have a water leak.
You need to fix the temperature control to repair the water leak. In such cases, it’s best to call a professional.
Wrapping Up: Fixing Leaky Freezer
Hopefully, now you know how to fix your freezer’s water leak.
Remember that if your freezer is leaking, you’ll need to inspect the drain pan, check the ice maker, unclog the drain hole, and level your appliance. Don’t forget to check the temperature control if the issue persists.
Thank you so much for reading. Please check out our other free guides if you found this post helpful.
Have a great day!
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