If the drain is clogged, water collects in the refrigerator. Fortunately, once the cause has been identified, the problem can be easily resolved. Everyone should know these tips.
Possible causes
A clogged refrigerator drain can have several reasons. In order to be able to specifically repair the defect, it is important to determine the exact cause. Therefore, those affected should first check the following factors:
- Drain gutter or drain hole clogged
- damaged check valve
- dirty compressor above the water collection tank
- defective heating element of the drain channel
- defective thermostat
- defective control board
Measures
There are various reasons and causes, some you can eliminate yourself and for others you should get professional help.
Clogged drain gutter / drain hole
The drain channel is located on the back wall of the refrigerator. This forms a good breeding ground for germs, leftover food and dirt particles, especially because householders rarely clean them thoroughly due to lack of accessibility. As a result, the drain hole becomes clogged over time. The collected condensation overflows and forms puddles on the shelves of the refrigerator. The best way for those affected to clean the drain channel is to dip it in warm water and stretch it onto a thin wire. They insert this into the drainage channel. This cause can be quickly remedied even without professional help.
Damaged check valve
If the refrigerator drain is broken, it is worth moving the device away and checking the check valve on the back of the refrigerator. The rubber valve is located between the compressor and the housing. When heated, the rubber sticks together. In this case, a simple cleaning is sufficient. If the person affected notices damage, they must replace the entire valve.
Note:
While those affected can clean non-functioning refrigerator components themselves, laypeople should request trained personnel to carry out any necessary replacement.
Dirty compressor
The compressor is also located at the back of the refrigerator. It is connected to the drain hose. Unfortunately, dirt and dust particles often collect here and clog the hose. If the compressor is defective, replacement is essential. To prevent things from getting to that point and the person affected having to request professional help, we recommend regular cleaning regardless of a blocked drain.
Defective heating element
Refrigerators with No Frost function are a nice thing. The heating element protects food from freezer burn. However, if there is a defect, the water it contains overflows and floods the refrigerator. To check whether the heating element is to blame for the standing water, the person affected uses a multimeter. With the ohmmeter setting, it establishes contact between both measuring tips and the connecting terminals of the heating element. If the multimeter shows a value, it can rule out the heating element as the cause. If the measurement remains inconclusive, a change is necessary. While the test can be carried out without expert personnel, a professional should be called in for the replacement
Tip:
If components are defective, always check whether the guarantee is still valid.
Defective thermostat
The thermostat has the function of regulating the internal temperature of the refrigerator. If it fails, the device cools down. Refrigerators that are too cold produce more water to compensate for the temperature fluctuation. However, this freezes in the drainage channel, which then overflows. A clear indication is that water is collecting under the vegetable compartment and dripping down from there. A first step to check is to raise the thermostat. If there is no improvement, the cause has been found. Then the affected person must replace the thermostat or, better yet, contact service.
Defective control board
If the thermostat is working, the clogged refrigerator drain may be caused by an intact control board. This defect causes the same damage described above. For this reason, if damage occurs, the affected person must also completely replace the control board or have it replaced. Another sign of a non-functioning part on No Frost models is the lack of a signal to defrost the refrigerator.
Note:
Before repairing, the refrigerator must be disconnected from the power supply. Otherwise there is a danger to life.
