Refrigerator Leaking Water — West Hollywood Repair

What this symptom usually means

A leaking refrigerator usually isn't a mystery once you know where the water is coming from. Water on the floor in front, water pooling inside the crisper drawers, and water dripping from the dispenser all point to different causes — and fixing the wrong one is a waste of money. Below is a breakdown of the most common causes we find on this exact problem, roughly in order of frequency.

Common causes, in order of likelihood

Clogged defrost drain

Water inside the fridge, usually under the crispers, almost always means the defrost drain in the back of the freezer is blocked with food debris or ice.

Cracked or frozen water line

Leaks at the front usually trace to the plastic water line that feeds the door dispenser — especially on French-door models.

Ice maker water inlet valve leaking

A slow drip from the back of the unit is often a weeping water inlet valve.

Water filter housing

Filter housings and O-rings dry out. After a filter change they sometimes leak — we re-seat and replace seals as needed.

Drain pan overflow

The condensate pan under the fridge can crack or displace, causing water to appear on the floor hours after the fridge runs.

When it's time to call

Call when you've dried the water and it keeps coming back. Continuous leaks warp flooring fast — especially on hardwood in West Hollywood bungalows and older condos.