When Refrigerators Randomly Leak Water Onto The Floor
There are obvious reasons for refrigerator water leaks, for example an ice maker that has malfunctioned or a water supply line that has split or even the electric water inlet valve.
There are obvious reasons for refrigerator water leaks, for example an ice maker that has malfunctioned or a water supply line that has split or even the electric water inlet valve.
But there are some not so obvious causes for water to leak from a refrigerator too. There are two examples in the next paragraph from which my own experiences brings to mind...
But there are some not so obvious causes for water to leak from a refrigerator too. There are two examples in the next paragraph from which my own experiences brings to mind...
One would be a clogged condensate tube that leads from the bottom of the freezer's evaporator coils section- behind the back panel, and goes down to a catch tray underneath the refrigerator in the back, near the compressor and condenser coils. This is the system used to remove the ice from the evaporator coils and to get it out of the freezer section. Once the water has trickled down to the condensate tray then the condenser fan passes warm air over the water from the compressor and coils, which evaporates the water, in essence putting it back in the air from which it came.
One would be a clogged condensate tube that leads from the bottom of the freezer's evaporator coils section- behind the back panel, and goes down to a catch tray underneath the refrigerator in the back, near the compressor and condenser coils. This is the system used to remove the ice from the evaporator coils and to get it out of the freezer section. Once the water has trickled down to the condensate tray then the condenser fan passes warm air over the water from the compressor and coils, which evaporates the water, in essence putting it back in the air from which it came.
There are a couple possible reasons why this tube would become blocked. I have seen in older refrigerators where over time from each successive defrost cycle, the water leaving the area would freeze before all of it could be removed by gravity. Any remaining water would become frozen in a thin layer after the defrost cycle ended and over time these layers build to create a plug that prevents the water from taking its normal route and so the water travels across the freezer bottom until it finds it way out at the edge of the freezer door or drawer. Until being made aware of this type of leak, one might struggle with an answer to why there is water on the floor. The fact this type of leak is random makes the situation even more puzzling. You can tell if this is your kind of leak simply by looking at the bottom of the freezer. If there is one continuous block of ice on the bottom then this is most likely your source of the leak.
There are a couple possible reasons why this tube would become blocked. I have seen in older refrigerators where over time from each successive defrost cycle, the water leaving the area would freeze before all of it could be removed by gravity. Any remaining water would become frozen in a thin layer after the defrost cycle ended and over time these layers build to create a plug that prevents the water from taking its normal route and so the water travels across the freezer bottom until it finds it way out at the edge of the freezer door or drawer. Until being made aware of this type of leak, one might struggle with an answer to why there is water on the floor. The fact this type of leak is random makes the situation even more puzzling. You can tell if this is your kind of leak simply by looking at the bottom of the freezer. If there is one continuous block of ice on the bottom then this is most likely your source of the leak.
Another cause for an ice plug in the condensate tube could be lint that got into the tube at the bottom down in the machine compartment where the compressor and coils, fan and condensate tray all reside. Lint will wick the water and restrict its flow. And any hinderance to the flow of water exiting the freezer is going to develop into ice blockage. And yet another cause for the blockage would be a tube that is either missing a part called the "P- trap" or a peice that completes the tube, directing it in a straight line all the way down into the bottom of the tray, so as to be submerged. Both of these systems uses water as an air block to isolate the freezer from the outside air. All air contains water. Warmer air can hold more water. Warmer air is attracted to nearby cooler air and the velocity at which it migrates is proportional to the difference in temperatures. Once the warm air contacts the freezing cold coils the water condenses out of the air and then changes to ice. This ice would continue to build up on the coils, if not for the defrost cycle, until the evaporator fan could no longer pass any air over them, at which time the freezer stops being effective in cooling down or freezing the product inside. Warm air that can freely rise up through a condensate tube is a perpetual calamity in progress!
Another cause for an ice plug in the condensate tube could be lint that got into the tube at the bottom down in the machine compartment where the compressor and coils, fan and condensate tray all reside. Lint will wick the water and restrict its flow. And any hinderance to the flow of water exiting the freezer is going to develop into ice blockage. And yet another cause for the blockage would be a tube that is either missing a part called the "P- trap" or a peice that completes the tube, directing it in a straight line all the way down into the bottom of the tray, so as to be submerged. Both of these systems uses water as an air block to isolate the freezer from the outside air. All air contains water. Warmer air can hold more water. Warmer air is attracted to nearby cooler air and the velocity at which it migrates is proportional to the difference in temperatures. Once the warm air contacts the freezing cold coils the water condenses out of the air and then changes to ice. This ice would continue to build up on the coils, if not for the defrost cycle, until the evaporator fan could no longer pass any air over them, at which time the freezer stops being effective in cooling down or freezing the product inside. Warm air that can freely rise up through a condensate tube is a perpetual calamity in progress!
This article is expressly about and regarding intermittent water leaks that can be not so obvious to find. There is yet one more cause for intermittent water to leak from a refrigerator that comes to mind. There are some models of refrigerators which have the water filter placed at the bottom and accessed from the front of the refrigerator down near the floor. These usually push in to install and to remove or they twist. They are in a housing made of plastic. Over time the plastic becomes brittle and can crack. The crack or split only leaks when the ice maker calls for water, which turns on the water for a whole two seconds at most and whenever anyone fills a glass at the dispenser in the door. It is easy to understand why this type of leak could be very hard to find for the unenlightened. I have had clients who went so far as to replace all the water tubing before becoming frustrated and finally calling me.
This article is expressly about and regarding intermittent water leaks that can be not so obvious to find. There is yet one more cause for intermittent water to leak from a refrigerator that comes to mind. There are some models of refrigerators which have the water filter placed at the bottom and accessed from the front of the refrigerator down near the floor. These usually push in to install and to remove or they twist. They are in a housing made of plastic. Over time the plastic becomes brittle and can crack. The crack or split only leaks when the ice maker calls for water, which turns on the water for a whole two seconds at most and whenever anyone fills a glass at the dispenser in the door. It is easy to understand why this type of leak could be very hard to find for the unenlightened. I have had clients who went so far as to replace all the water tubing before becoming frustrated and finally calling me.
So these are the most commonly found uncommonest reasons for a refrigerator to randomly leak water onto the floor!
So these are the most commonly found uncommonest reasons for a refrigerator to randomly leak water onto the floor!