Are you finding that there is always water under the empty crisper drawer when you open your refrigerator? You may think that is water from vegetables or frost, just wipe it off with a dry cloth. This situation may occur when your fridge door is left open for too long. However, that’s not normal if it occurs every day. There shouldn’t be any water accumulation inside the fridge at all. In this article, we’re going to discuss why and how to fix a clogged defrost drain hole in the fridge.
Why There Is Water Under The Fridge Drawers And On The Shelves?
There could be several reasons for water under your fridge drawer.
The most common reason is that the water is coming from the fridge’s defrost drain. The defrost drain is a small tube that carries water that has melted during the fridge’s defrost cycle to a drip pan located under the fridge. Moisture doesn’t build up as the excess frost is melted and drops off the evaporator when defrost is running.
The drain hole and tube are very small, if small food debris falls into the hole, and you don’t clean your fridge often, the tube can be clogged.
If the defrost drain tube has come loose, instead of the drip pan, water may leak out onto the floor.
Another possibility is that the water is coming from a leak in the fridge’s water supply line. If the water supply line has a crack or a loose connection, it can cause water to leak onto the floor. It’s also possible that the water is coming from a leak in the fridge’s ice maker. If the ice maker is leaking, water can collect on the floor under the fridge.
Why Does The Fridge Defrost Drain Get Clogged?
There are 3 main reasons for a clogged defrost drain in a fridge:
1. The build-up of food particles or other debris. Over time, bits of food and other debris can collect in the drain and form a clog.
2. Growth of bacteria or mold in the drain. This can happen if water is allowed to sit in the drain for an extended period of time.
3. A frozen defrost drain tube. If the temperature inside the freezer is cold enough, the water in the defrost drain can freeze and form a blockage.
In any case, it’s important to clean the defrost drain regularly to prevent clogs and ensure that the fridge is functioning properly.
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How To Unclog The Fridge Defrost Drain?
To fix a clogged defrost drain in your fridge, you will need to locate the defrost drain and clean it out. Here’s how to do it:
1. Unplug the fridge
It’s important to unplug the fridge to avoid the risk of electric shock. This will also help melt the frozen defrost drain pipe.
It’s best to empty the items on the fridge shelves. And prepare a dry cloth to wipe the melted water since the door will be left open for a while.
Prepare a pot of hot water, not boiling water.
2. Locate the defrost drain. This is typically a small tube located near the back of the freezer compartment.
3. Use a fridge drain pipe cleaner.
Once you have located the defrost drain, you can try to unclog it using a bent wire or a thin, flexible tool such as a fridge drain pipe cleaner.
Carefully insert the tool into the drain and push and pull back and forth, breaking up any clogs or debris that may be blocking the drain.
4. Wash the defrost drain pipe.
You can choose the fridge drain pipe cleaner set that comes with a syringe and hose. So that you can wash the dirt out completely. And they can help you a lot if your fridge has a frozen defrost drain tube.
After loosening the dirt, gently insert the hose diagonally into the drain hole. Prepare a bowl of hot water between 70-80c. Carefully draw the hot water into the syringe and connect it to the tiny hose. Inject hot water into the drain hole.
Hot water can help melt any ice and other clogged debris. When you hear running water and the hot water you inject will not flow back. That means the refrigerator defrost drain has been dredged.
5. Insert the plunger into the drain hole to prevent debris from entering.
If the drain is still clogged after using the drain pipe cleaner set and hot water, you may need to remove the back panel of the fridge to access the defrost drain and clean it more thoroughly. This can be a more involved process, so be sure to use caution and follow the instructions in your fridge’s manual for how to remove the panel safely.
Once you have accessed the defrost drain, use a small brush or pipe cleaner to clean out any debris or blockages that may be present. Be sure to clean the entire length of the drain to remove any clogs or obstructions.
Once the defrost drain is clean and clear, reassemble the fridge and plug it back in. The clogged drain should now be fixed and the fridge should function properly.
How to Prevent Your Refrigerator Defrost Drain Get Clogged?
In order to keep your refrigerator dry, you can try the following ways to prevent a clogged fridge drain:
Clean the drain regularly to remove any debris or buildup that could cause clogging. You can use the fridge clog remover set to brush and wash the drain tube regularly, maybe once a month.
Pack your food before throwing them into the fridge. No matter it is vegetable or cooked food, please put them into a container before putting them into your refrigerator.
This can prevent vegetable leaves, dirt, and debris from clogging the drain hole. Also, this can prevent food contamination and a smelly fridge.
Don’t overstuff your fridge, as this can cause food and other items to block the drain.
If your fridge has a built-in filter, make sure to replace it regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A dirty or clogged filter can cause water to back up and create a clog in the drain.
If you notice that the drain is starting to get clogged, try using a plunger to clear the blockage. This can often help to remove any small debris that may be causing the clog.
By following these tips, you can help prevent clogs in your fridge drain and keep your appliance running smoothly.
