My Freezer Leaks When Defrosting

Clogged Drain Tube

• When the freezer section of your refrigerator unit defrosts, the water generated during the process drains out of the compartment so ice doesn't generate when the freezer cools off again. However, the path that the water takes may become plugged. When that happens, the water spills out and often leaks into the inside of the fridge itself. Other times, the water leaks out of the bottom of the fridge if the drain path is clogged. Clean the drain and flush it with water to clear the path and prevent further leaking.

Overflowing Drain Pan

• At the bottom of the fridge lies a small pan that collects the water that drains during the defrost cycle. Sometimes this pan overflows. If the water from the freezer drains faster than the water in the pan evaporates, you must manually drain the pan to prevent it from leaking onto the floor. The drain pan will be somewhere underneath the refrigerator. Simply emptying it occasionally will prevent this problem. If it persists, you may have a larger problem involving the freezer's defrost mechanism.

Cracks

• Drain pans also occasionally crack which results in water spilling on the floor during a defrost cycle. Most refrigerator models have drain pans that are fairly easy to replace. Inspect your drain pan to see if it's cracked or leaking anywhere. If it is, simply contact your local repair center or the refrigerator's manufacturer and replace the part. If the water drains through a tube, the tube can also crack and cause a leak.

Disconnected Drain Tube

• If your drain tube becomes disconnected or if it's not reconnected properly after servicing, then you'll certainly have a leak the next time your freezer enters a defrost cycle. Depending on the model of your fridge and the location of your freezer, the drain tube may be connected improperly at the top of the fridge or at the bottom where it drains into the pan.