Modern frost-free refrigerators periodically heat their cooling coils to melt frost. This meltwater flows into a gutter, down a , and into a shallow pan at the bottom of the unit, where it naturally evaporates. If this path is blocked, the water has nowhere to go but out into your kitchen or onto your food. Signs Your Defrost Drain is Clogged
: She gently threaded the pipe cleaner into the hole, wiggling it to break up the "slimy gunk" or ice bridge inside.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | |--------|----------------| | Water under crisper drawers | Clog at the drain hole entrance | | Ice stalactites in freezer back | Drain frozen solid (heater not working) | | Water drips from fridge bottom front | Clog deep in the drain tube | | Recurring clog within weeks | Slime mold or debris – use a mild bleach solution (1 tsp per quart) to flush |
Most "leaking refrigerator" calls are actually just a clogged defrost drain. Clear it before paying for a service visit.
Modern frost-free refrigerators periodically heat their cooling coils to melt frost. This meltwater flows into a gutter, down a , and into a shallow pan at the bottom of the unit, where it naturally evaporates. If this path is blocked, the water has nowhere to go but out into your kitchen or onto your food. Signs Your Defrost Drain is Clogged
: She gently threaded the pipe cleaner into the hole, wiggling it to break up the "slimy gunk" or ice bridge inside. defrost drain clogged
| Symptom | Likely Cause | |--------|----------------| | Water under crisper drawers | Clog at the drain hole entrance | | Ice stalactites in freezer back | Drain frozen solid (heater not working) | | Water drips from fridge bottom front | Clog deep in the drain tube | | Recurring clog within weeks | Slime mold or debris – use a mild bleach solution (1 tsp per quart) to flush | Signs Your Defrost Drain is Clogged : She
Most "leaking refrigerator" calls are actually just a clogged defrost drain. Clear it before paying for a service visit. defrost drain clogged