A puddle in front of the refrigerator is easy to spot. What's less obvious is where it came from. Refrigerators have several places water can escape: the defrost drain, the drain pan, the water supply line, the filter, the ice maker and the dispenser. Each points to a different fix, and finding the source early protects your floors, cabinets and, in apartment buildings, the unit below.
First steps
- •Wipe up the water and put towels down so you can see where fresh water appears.
- •If water is spreading quickly, turn off the water supply to the refrigerator. The shut-off valve is usually behind the fridge, under the kitchen sink, or on a nearby wall.
- •Unplug the fridge before pulling it out or working behind or under it. Keep food cold in a cooler if you'll need it off for a while.
- •In an apartment or condo, let your building manager know if water is reaching the floor, especially if there's a unit below.
Where is the water?
Inside the fridge, under the crisper drawers
Water pooling under the crisper drawers, or ice forming on the floor of the fresh-food or freezer compartment, usually means the defrost drain is clogged or frozen.
During defrost, frost melts off the evaporator coil and flows down a drain tube to a pan under the fridge, where it evaporates. If the drain hole gets blocked with food debris or ice, the water backs up into the compartment instead.
What you can do: find the drain hole (usually at the back of the fresh-food compartment or under a panel in the freezer; your manual will help). Flush it gently with warm water using a turkey baster. If the drain is frozen solid, a manual defrost — fridge unplugged, doors open, towels down — may be needed first.
If the drain keeps freezing, the defrost system itself may not be working properly, and a technician should check it. A failing defrost system often causes warm temperatures as well as leaks; our guide to a refrigerator not cooling explains how to spot it.
Under the front of the fridge
Water on the floor under the front edge can come from:
- •The drain pan. It sits under the fridge and collects defrost water. If it's cracked, out of position, or overflowing because of a heavy defrost, water ends up on the floor.
- •A dislodged drain tube that no longer reaches the pan.
- •A water filter housing if the filter is at the bottom front grille, which is common on some models.
Behind the fridge
Water behind the refrigerator usually comes from the water supply line or its connections. Pull the fridge out carefully (it may be heavy) and look for:
- •A leaking connection at the back of the fridge or at the shut-off valve
- •A cracked plastic supply line. Older plastic tubing becomes brittle. Braided stainless lines are more durable.
- •A saddle valve — an older type of valve that clamps onto a pipe and pierces it — that's corroded or leaking. These are known for developing leaks over time.
- •A leaking water inlet valve on the back of the fridge. Scale from hard water, common in many parts of LA, can cause valves to weep or stick.
When you push the fridge back, leave enough slack in the water line so it doesn't kink or get pinched. A little extra length is also useful in earthquake country, where appliances can shift slightly.
From the dispenser or door
Drips from the water dispenser, or water inside the door, often trace back to:
- •A new filter with air in it. Run a few glasses of water through after installing a filter.
- •A filter that isn't seated fully, or the wrong filter for the model.
- •A cracked filter housing.
- •A dispenser valve that isn't closing fully.
From the ice maker
Leaks near the ice maker often come from:
- •A frozen fill tube, so water overflows instead of reaching the ice tray
- •Low water pressure or a partly blocked inlet valve, causing incomplete fills
- •A fridge that isn't level, so water spills out of the ice tray
If the ice maker is also producing little or no ice, our ice maker guide works through water supply, freezer temperature and the mechanism in order.
Is the fridge level?
Most refrigerators should tilt very slightly back so the doors close on their own and water flows to the drain. A fridge that tilts forward can spill water from the ice maker and drain pan. Check with a level and adjust the feet or rollers as described in your manual.
Condensation, not a leak
Sometimes water on the outside of the fridge is just condensation, especially on humid days near the coast. It usually appears along the door edges or the cabinet sides. If you see it often, check the door gaskets — a gasket that isn't sealing lets humid air in and causes more condensation both inside and out.
When to book a technician
- •The defrost drain keeps clogging or freezing
- •Water keeps appearing under the fridge and you can't find the source
- •The water inlet valve is leaking
- •The ice maker keeps overflowing or leaking
- •Water is leaking from inside the cabinet walls or door
- •There's frost or ice build-up along with the leak
How a technician tracks a leak
A technician will usually check the defrost drain and heater, the drain pan and tube, the water inlet valve and its connections, the filter housing, and the ice maker fill system. The fix depends on the source: clearing and protecting a drain, replacing a valve or line, or repairing the defrost system. There's more on the work involved on our refrigerator repair page.
Preventing leaks
- •Replace old plastic water lines with braided stainless ones.
- •Change the water filter on schedule and make sure it's fully seated.
- •Keep food debris out of the defrost drain area.
- •Check under and behind the fridge occasionally for signs of moisture.
- •Make sure the fridge is level and the water line has room to move.
Frequently asked questions
Is a small puddle under the fridge dangerous?
It's usually not dangerous by itself, but it can damage flooring and cabinets and encourage mold. Find the source and fix it promptly.
Can I use the fridge while it's leaking?
Usually, yes, if you turn off the water supply and the fridge is still cooling. But fix the leak soon, especially if it's reaching the floor.
I rent. Who's responsible?
If the landlord supplied the fridge, the repair is usually their responsibility. Report the leak in writing, especially if there's water damage.