Fridge Repair: Leaks

If the idea of fridge repair leaves you cold, these simple steps will help you isolate the problem and get your refrigerator back into good working order.

Inspecting Fridge Components

To determine the reason your fridge is leaking, you must first familiarize yourself with those components of the fridge that are most likely to  cause leaks: the door or the gasket, the drain pan, the defrost drain or the ice maker. You have to inspect these fridge components and see if they need repair or replacement. The easiest way to discover which fridge component is need of repair is to locate the fridge section where water started leaking or condensing. Often, the problematic component is located in close proximity to the leak. 

Fridge Leaks and Repair of the Door or Gasket

In general, there are two issues that may cause leaks near the door of your fridge. The fridge door may not close in full or the rubber gasket which encompasses the door frame may be clogged or torn, thus causing condensation and leaks. To repair this problem, you need to discover the faulty component. If the gasket is dirty, clean it by rinsing with a sponge. Check if an item in the refrigerator is preventing the door from closing properly. If the gasket is somehow impaired, replace it. When buying a new gasket, it is best to buy one that matches your fridge model or type of door. The more general the gasket, the harder it is to install it.

If the leak caused by the gasket, you may have to check the door and ensure that it closes tightly. If it does not close well, you may use the door screws and bolts to fix the problem. Another remedy is to put the refrigerator at a slight angle. Some fridges have adjustable legs, but if your model does not have such, you may want to buy some wooden shims or sheets of plywood and put them beneath the fridge.

Fridge Leaks due to the Drain Pan

The drain pan functions to catch water from condensation so that it does not leak over the floor of your kitchen. If the drain pan is somehow damaged, it may be the reason why you have a puddle of water around the fridge. The pan is located underneath the fridge. Pull it off, drain the condensed water from it, and check if there are any punctures into it. If there are some, you should buy a new pan or somehow repair the current one. One possible way to check your drain pan is to fill it with tap water once you have cleaned it.