Why Your Freezer Is Leaking Water: 5 Steps To Stop A Leak

Are you looking at your freezer, frustrated that it keeps leaking? If so, you might be worried about the integrity of your floor. If your freezer keeps leaking, this water is going to damage just about any floor you have underneath it. For example, if you have wood floors, water is going to cause it to warp.

There are numerous reasons why your freezer might be leaking. Perhaps it is not on even ground, or there could be an issue with the door seal. Fortunately, there are a few easy steps you can follow to put a stop to a freezer that is leaking.

We have done a lot of research to figure out why freezers leak. Now, we are ready to share this research with you, helping you put a stop to a leaking freezer. Are you ready to protect your floors and stop water from damaging your food and freezer? Take a look below and walk with us as we dive in!

Common Reasons Why Your Freezer Might Be Leaking

First, we need to cover a few common reasons why your freezer might be leaking. These include: 

#1 There is a Cracked Drain Pan

First, let’s start with the serious concern that could be lingering in the back of your mind. There could be an issue with the drain pan. The drain pan is responsible for collecting the water created as part of the defrost cycle. It provides an area to store the water as it evaporates away. If there is a crack in the drain pan, this could cause a leak underneath the freezer.

Take a look at your manual to figure out where the drain pan is located. Then, see if there is a crack in it. If you see a puddle directly beneath the drain pan, there is probably a crack. The only question is where it is located. If there is a crack in the drain pan, you need to replace it. Before you do so, you will have to turn off the freezer. 

#2 The Food is Not Stored Properly

Fortunately, not all of these problems are going to require an in-depth repair. For example, there could be an issue with the way your food has been stored. You might need to adjust the way your items are arranged to fix the problem. 

For example, if you have a lot of items that contain a lot of moisture, this could be increasing the moisture content in the interior of the freezer.

If you want to put a stop to this problem, you have to change the way your items are arranged. That way, you don’t have to worry about so much moisture building up inside your freezer. 

#3 You are Defrosting the Freezer

Next, not all potential causes of freezer leaks are a bad thing. For example, you could be dealing with a leak because you are defrosting the freezer. This is something you should do from time to time to prevent a sheet of ice from impacting the efficiency of your appliance.

Keep in mind that when you defrost the freezer, all of that moisture is going to have to go somewhere. Therefore, you have to put a bunch of towels underneath your freezer during the defrosting process. That way, you can prevent a significant amount of water from damaging your floors. 

Also, it might be a good idea to try to gain access to the evaporation tray behind the freezer en empty it often, as it can overflow during manual defrosting.

Remember that you might have to use every towel in your house to properly defrost the freezer. Take these precautions to prevent your floors from getting damaged when you defrost the freezer. 

#4 The Appliance is Not on Even Ground

It is also possible that your appliance is leaking because it is not on level ground. Take a look at your freezer. If it looks like it is tilted forward, there is a chance that the door seal is not closing properly. In this case, the problem is not the door seal but the legs themselves. 

There is a chance you might have to replace one or more of the legs of the freezer. You might even have to do something to repair the floor. If the appliance is not sitting evenly, it could start to leak. This could damage your floors. 

Placing the appliance on an uneven surface can also cause the defrost drainage system to not work as expected. If this happens, water can either spill into the freezer or refrigerator cabinet. 

#5 The Drain Hole is Clogged

Another possible reason why your freezer is leaking is that there’s a problem with a drain hole. The drain hole, which is commonly called the defrost hole, is located at the back of the freezer. This is responsible for taking water and draining it from the appliance. If it has become clogged with debris, food, or other particles, this could be the reason your freezer is leaking.

You will need to clean the drain hole if you want it to work properly. Also, some brands have a black rubber “duck bill” as part of the drain line. Ensuring that this part is clean and free of debris can work like a charm.

Fortunately, this is a relatively easy process as well. Usually, all you require is a bit of warm water and a warm cloth. 

#6 The Temperature Control is Faulty

Finally, the freezer might also be leaking because there is something wrong with the temperature control. The temperature control is responsible for making sure your freezer is cold enough to protect the food you have put inside of it. If there is a problem with the temperature control, the freezer might not be at the right temperature.

If the freezer is too warm, the sheets of ice will start to melt. As a result, your freezer will start to leak. You need to fix the temperature control if you want to stop this problem from happening. To address this issue, you may need to reach out to a professional. 

How To Stop a Leaky Freezer

These are just a few of the many reasons why your freezer might be leaking. Some of these problems are relatively easy to fix, while others are a bit more involved. There are several steps you need to follow if you want to stop your freezer from leaking. These include: 

Step #1 Move the Refrigerator/Freezer to Gain Accessibility

First, make the freezer more accessible. Therefore, have someone help you nudge the freezer out of its slot slightly. That way, you will have an easier time getting around and investigating the individual components. This will make it easier for you to figure out what is wrong. 

Step #2 Check the Drain Pan and Hoses

Now that the back of the freezer is accessible, take a look at the drain pan and the individual hoses (sometimes, you have to remove a rear access panel located at the bottom of the appliance). You need to take a look at the hoses to make sure there are no cracks in them. Otherwise, this could be influencing the way water drains from the freezer and how the freezer door seal functions.

You should also take a look at the drain pan. This is usually located at the bottom of the freezer. Take this opportunity to make sure there are no cracks in it. If there are a few cracks, you will need to address them if you want your freezer to stop leaking.

Step #3 Check the Lengths of the Legs

While you are under the freezer, this is a good opportunity to 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 it’s not, you’ll have to get creative and add planks or shims to raise any parts of the appliance that can’t be adjusted.

You can measure this 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 or fix the floor if you want your freezer to sit level. Otherwise, it will probably continue to leak. 

Step #4 Investigate the Door Seal

If you have gone through these steps and you still have not found the problem, it is time to take a look at the door seal. Make sure the door seal is not dirty. If the seal is dirty, you will have to clean it. You should use some cleaning detergent and a warm washcloth.

If you find that the door seal is cracked, you will have to replace it. Use the manual to figure out what type of door seal you need. With the door open, take the opportunity to rearrange the food. Make sure there’s plenty of room for the air to circulate. 

Step #5 Check the Temperature

Finally, take a look at the temperature inside the freezer. You may need to use a secondary/external thermostat to verify proper temperatures. Your temperature control should stay the same temperature as the thermistor you put in the freezer. If not, you have found your problem. You need to replace the thermistor.

Stop a Leaky Freezer 

These are a few of the most common reasons why your freezer might be leaking. There are numerous reasons why your freezer might be leaking, and you might be able to fix a lot of things on your own. If you have questions or concerns about how to stop a leaky freezer, you should reach out to a professional who can help you.