My Fridge Leaks Behind the Wall

Water Line Leak

• Pull the refrigerator away from the wall and disconnect power to the refrigerator. Inspect the water line system and look to make sure the water tubes are fully inserted into the valves. Tighten the water line connections and look for any signs of holes or damage in the tubing that might lead to water leaks. Contact the refrigerator manufacturer or a plumber for assistance if the water line appears damaged or parts need to be replaced.

Drain Pan Leak

• Move around to the front of the refrigerator and remove the toe grille. Some toe grilles have screws on each side of the grille that must be removed in order to lift off the grille, and other grilles can be lifted up and out to remove. If you cannot access the drain pan from underneath the refrigerator, remove all food items from the rear of the freezer and remove the back panel to access the drain pan. Reach in and disconnect the drain pan and slide the pan out if possible. Some drain pans are not removable, so contact the refrigerator manufacturer of these models if the drain pan seems to be overflowing or leaking. Otherwise, empty out and clean the drain pan with warm, soapy water and then rinse and dry the pan. Look at the drain pan for cracks or holes and contact the manufacturer for a replacement pan if needed.

Defrost Drain Leak

• Find the defrost drain in the freezer, sometimes under one of the bottom drawers or along the lower rear of the unit. This defrost drain can get clogged and create leaks from the bottom or back of the refrigerator. Combine hot water and baking soda and pour the baking soda and water into the drain until any clogs clear. Wipe up the drain hole with a clean, damp cloth.

Service Needed

• If you are not comfortable with removing the toe grille or back panel of the refrigerator, disconnecting the drain pan or cleaning out the defrost drain, contact a service professional. In addition, if you cannot access the drain line because the line is located inside the cabinet wall and is non-accessible, or you cannot identify the necessary parts to clean or inspect, call a repair technician for assistance.