Why is my fridge leaking water?

1. The refrigerator’s defrost drain is blocked.

Your refrigerator might be leaking water because of a blockage in the internal anatomy. These blockages often happen in your defrost drain or drain hole, usually located in the bottom part toward the back of your fridge.

When the defrost drain clogs, water could pool inside your refrigerator compartment and leak through the bottom seal and onto the floor.

Follow these steps to unclog your refrigerator defrost drain:

• Unplug the refrigerator or switch off the power. This will help prevent accidental electrical shocks.
• Mix a solution made of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 2 cups of hot tap water.
• Use a meat or turkey baster to squeeze the mixture into the drain hole. Flush out the food particles or other debris from the drain tube.
• Check to see if water is running down the drain pan. If you see water, you have successfully unclogged your refrigerator defrost drain. You can prevent clogs by pouring the solution into your refrigerator’s drain opening at least once or twice a year.

If you think your drain pipe is still blocked (or don’t know where your drain pipe is), contact a refrigerator repair professional.

2. Your refrigerator water line is leaking.

Another cause for a leaky fridge could be a leaking refrigerator water line. Some refrigerators feature built-in water dispensers or automatic ice makers. You will need to keep manually adding water to a reservoir inside the fridge or connect it directly to plumbing via a water line to produce water or ice.

If your refrigerator is the type that has a water line, inspect it for leaks. Here's how:

• Unplug the fridge. Again, this will help you avoid any electrical shocks.
• Close the water shut-off valve. The valve’s location varies per home. It could be under your sink, in your basement, or behind your fridge.
• Check for tears and breaks in the line. If you see any, you will need to replace your water supply line.
• Check the tubing for signs of ice blockage. If there are no tears in your water line, ice could be blocking your tubing. Or, you could have a blocked water line. If you see a translucent clog, it's likely ice. You can try to unclog it yourself.
• Try melting the ice. Place warm water in a turkey baster and pour the water down the drain in the freezer.
• Use a pipe cleaner or wire hanger to break up the ice.
• Disconnect the valve if the clog is too far down the drain hose.
• Hire a repair professional when all else fails or the clog isn’t translucent. A pro will inspect your water line and fix the problem.

3. Your refrigerator may have a faulty or dirty door seal.

All refrigerators have a door seal (also known as a gasket) to keep the cold air in and keep your food fresh. Broken door seals mean your refrigerator will have high humidity and condensation. Because your refrigerator has to work overtime to keep the interior cool, it may leak from excess moisture.

Use these tips to fix a faulty or dirty door seal:

• Run your hand along the edge of the fridge door while it's closed. If you feel a gust of air, a part of the gasket may have come loose. Simply push it back in.
• Use a cotton swab to apply a small amount of petroleum jelly into the groove beneath the rubber. Petroleum jelly helps the gasket slide back easier in place to seal the leak.
• Push the seal back into the channel. If the door doesn’t close or pops open after you’ve closed it, it could be that the gasket is dirty. So, you'll need to clean it.
• Mix warm water and dishwashing liquid in a bowl.
• Use a toothbrush to scrub the gasket.
• Wipe the gasket with a damp towel.

4. Your fridge isn’t level.

Sometimes, your floor or fridge isn’t level. If your refrigerator stands at an odd angle, too much water might accumulate in the front of the drain pan. The result? A leaking fridge.

To level your fridge, grab a carpenter's level (also called a spirit or bubble level) and owner's manual. Your manual should tell you how to access (and adjust) its leveling legs or rollers.

Pro tip: If your fridge is level, its doors should gently shut on their own without you having to push them in.

5. Your refrigerator wasn’t properly installed.

Did you recently replace your refrigerator? One of the most common causes of a refrigerator that drips water is improper installation. Some common installation mistakes include:

• Not tightening the screws and nuts
• Improper installation of the internal valve connection 
• Improper installation of the filter

If you see water building up inside or underneath the fridge, your refrigerator likely needs a thorough inspection by a professional.

How to prevent future refrigerator leaks.

Follow these tips to prevent fridge leaks in the future:

• Check the defrost drain regularly. If your defrost drain tends to get clogged, set aside time once or twice a year to clean it.
• Clean your refrigerator door seals frequently. Your fridge door seals keep your refrigerator and the food inside it in top shape. Check this area often to ensure the gasket isn’t loose, and clean it regularly.
• Keep your refrigerator clean and organized. Sometimes, a dirty refrigerator can keep the fridge from cooling, resulting in condensation and water leaks.

Related: How to clean your fridge inside and out.

Hire a pro to fix your leaking fridge.

When you can’t find what’s causing your fridge to leak, it’s time to contact an appliance repair technician to help you. They can diagnose the problem, clean, and repair your leaky refrigerator.

Download the Thumbtack app, and start getting free cost estimates for your project.