A Water Leak in a Freezer With No Icemaker

Condensate Pan

• The condensate pan is located near the floor, behind the grill on the front of the refrigerator. Remove the grill and slide the pan out. Check your user manual for model-specific instructions. Condensate pans can become clogged with dirt and debris from the kitchen floor, leading to overflows and leaks. Wipe the pan clean with a mild solution of soap and water.

Defrost Drain

• In the back of the freezer, typically in one of the bottom corners of the inside compartment, there is a small drain opening. This is the defrost drain for the self-defrost mechanism. Each time you open the freezer door, humid indoor air rushes into the freezer compartment. This humidity condensates on the inside of the freezer and leads to increasing amounts of ice buildup. Self-defrost mechanisms heat the inside of the freezer in cycles, thawing the ice and draining the water.

Defrost Drain Clog

• The defrost drain can become clogged with debris and food particles from inside the freezer. Locate the drain in the back of the freezer and wipe it clean with a damp sponge. Ensure the grills covering the drain opening are not clogged, and check the area around the drain for ice buildup, as this may be a sign of a clog.

Frozen Drain Hoses

• In addition to the defrost drain itself, the hoses that take water from the drain down to the condensate pan located at the bottom of the freezer can become clogged with ice. Use a turkey baster to spray hot water down the defrost drain. It make take several rounds of hot water before the drain opens up and water flows down unimpeded.