How to Fix a Leaky Drain Plug Inside the Fridge

Clean up the accumulated water on the floor from the leaky fridge, using rags to sop it up.

Remove the drawer from the bottom of the fridge to allow free access to the drain plug at the fridge’s base.

Remove the water from the fridge interior with a turkey baster, suggests home repair blogger P.K. Costa. Squeeze the bulb on the end of the baster, and then place the tip into the pool of water. Release the bulb to suck the water into the baster. Move the baster tip over a bucket and squeeze the bulb again to force the water from the baster and into the bucket for disposal. Repeat the process until you’ve gotten rid of as much of the water in the fridge bottom as possible.

Wipe up the remaining water on the bottom of the fridge with a sponge.

Pull the drain plug from the base of the fridge. Wash the plug thoroughly to remove any debris. Place the tip of the baster into the drainage hole and use the baster to remove any water or debris from the drain entrance.

Clear the drainage fully of any debris by extending a 1/4-inch flex tube through the drainage hole, Costa advises. Fill a small cup with water and add about a teaspoon of bleach to it, mixing thoroughly. Suck the bleach solution into the turkey baster and flush the drain hole with the mixture to clear the pipe further. Push the tube through again to complete the cleaning. Return the plug to the drain hole.

Pull the kickplate from the front of the fridge at its base and use rags to sop up any water you find. Switch to a clean rag and use a cleaner that’s compatible with your kitchen flooring to wash beneath the fridge. Use a mop to wash the rest of the kitchen floor.