GE Fridge Leaks During Defrost

Balancing Your Fridge

• One reason your fridge may leak during the defrost cycle is that the fridge is tilted in the wrong direction. To aid in drainage, the refrigerator needs to be tilted backward slightly so water drains toward the back of the fridge. Set three quarters on top of the fridge, toward the back of the unit. Place one end of a level on the pile of quarters and the other end toward the front of the fridge. A fridge that's leveled properly will read as level when this is done. Adjust the legs of the fridge according to the instructions in your GE manual if the fridge isn't level.

Clogged Drain Line

• The drain line, located at the back of the freezer, will not drain if it is clogged. To remove clogs, you need to remove the back panel from the freezer. Pop off the plastic caps on the back panel and remove the screws from behind it. Pull off the back panel and locate the drain. Fill a turkey baster with bleach and squirt it into the drain line to kill any algae that might exist.

Full Drain Pan

• Leaks at the bottom of the fridge during the defrost cycle may be due to a full drain pan. The drain pan is near the compressor engine. Unplug the refrigerator and pull it out from the wall. Locate the drain pan by looking through the hole in the back of the fridge. Lift up on the drain pan to remove it and drain the water in the sink if it's full.

Broken Seal

• A seal, or gasket, runs around the door of the fridge and freezer. If this seal is cracked, water may leak out during the defrost cycle or cause the defrost cycle to run constantly. Run your hand along the seal to see if there are any dry or cracked areas. If there are, contact GE for a replacement seal.

  Included in the seal will be installation instructions. If not, the seal is removed by lifting up on the flap of the seal and loosening the nuts behind the flap. Pull on the seal to remove it. Start installing the new seal by pushing in the tabs at the corner of the door first and working your way around.