If you find a puddle on or near the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, serious breakdowns may be the reason. It is not always possible to solve the problem with your own hands, but you can always independently determine its source. First you need to determine where and why the refrigerator is leaking.
Water forms on the back wall
If water flows inside along the back wall of the refrigerator, then we can talk about serious problems with complete confidence if it is equipped with the latest NoFrost technology. This system does not allow vapors to form inside the refrigeration unit, which means that the formation of moisture is completely unacceptable. If your refrigerator does not use NoFrost, then it may be normal for the back wall to have water.
In many models of the refrigerator there is such a system as a “crying” evaporator. In terms of its characteristics, it is not inferior to new technological developments, but it costs much less. Why, then, does water accumulate inside the refrigerator on the back wall? The answer is simple - when the compressor is at rest, the ice melts. Often such models are equipped with drawers in which liquid accumulates so that it does not leak out.
See also - DIY refrigerator compressor repair and replacement
Puddles at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment
If puddles form at the bottom, then the reason may be clogging of a special hole, which serves to collect the water flowing from the walls. In this case, the water simply has no choice but to spread over the surface. It is quite possible to solve this problem with your own hands, cleaning the hole will save you from the formation of puddles, both inside and below the refrigerator. The reasons due to which the refrigeration unit is leaking can be even more commonplace - power outages, power problems.
Water under the refrigerator
To figure out what is the cause of the puddles on the bottom of the refrigerator, you need to find the place where the leak occurs. If the situation is similar to the previous one, then water may flow out from the bottom of the refrigerating chamber. The problem may be with the boxes for collecting water, possibly their mechanical damage. If you find a large amount of moisture not only under the refrigerator, but also on the shelves, then this is a reason to seek professional help.
Reasons for the appearance of puddles under the refrigerator
All the reasons why the refrigerator leaks and puddles accumulate underneath can be divided into several main groups. The first group includes breakdowns associated with the drainage system. Such problems have the following reasons:
- the drain is clogged;
- the liquid drainage tube has shifted;
- the water collection trays have moved.
The next category of why the refrigerator is leaking is the uneven arrangement of food. Finding a large amount of food at the back wall can cause clogged drainage and other problems with the drainage system.Try not to clutter up the back wall, water should flow down it calmly to the drain, where it easily accumulates.
Puddles in the refrigerator can form for the simple reason that there was no power supply. If you were absent at home, and upon returning found puddles under the refrigerator, then ask your neighbors or at the substation if there was a power outage during this period. These categories of problems with the formation of puddles in the refrigerator can be completely solved on their own, you just need to eliminate the sources of trouble.
Refrigerator tightness problems
The presence of a small amount of water in refrigerators with a “crying” evaporator system is quite natural, but if the tightness is broken, water collects in puddles on the lower shelves, and then flows under the refrigerator. Why it happens? The most common cause is a worn seal. Read an article on how to do it yourself replace the seal for the refrigerator.
Sealants often cause puddles, as they are prone to wear over several years, the term may vary depending on the manufacturer. The seal and other elements that ensure tightness can be replaced with your own hands, there is nothing complicated about it. To get the job done correctly, you can focus on the original location of the parts. Also for each refrigerator there is a diagram of the sealing device.
Damaged thermostat
If by all external signs the refrigerator is in good order, there are no leaks or problems with tightness, and puddles continue to form, the cause may be a malfunction in the thermostat. Why the thermostat began to malfunction, you can find out at the service center. Most often, within a short period of time, the thermostat breaks down completely, so the only way out is to replace it. It is not recommended to start replacing the thermostat on your own, it may cause additional damage to the equipment.
Useful Tips
Often there are cases when the accumulated water in the refrigerator is not a problem, but is only a feature of the operation of old units. Along with this, they usually complain about a large amount of snow and ice, a kind of snow coat, but for old-style devices this situation is quite common, their device does not provide for the fight against formations of this kind.
If partial repair of refrigerators of previous generations is still possible with your own hands, then new high-tech devices with the NoFrost system require the intervention of masters. A sophisticated electronics system does not predispose to simple repair, professionals will better cope with the task at hand. It is impossible not to take into account the risk of injury, burns or electric shock during self-repair, there are many dangerous factors.
However, being able to diagnose the source of the problem, you should take advantage of it. If the master already knows exactly where the water comes from in the refrigerator before the start of the repair, much less time will be spent on fixing the problems. It is worth paying attention first of all to the drain system and the tightness of the refrigerator, most often it is because of this that the refrigerator flows. In order to save yourself from the possibility of such problems, do not forget to periodically defrost the refrigerator, depending on the model, this should be done once a year or six months.
See also:
