When you think of leaks in the kitchen, you might expect them to come from the sink or the dishwasher. However, some refrigerators have icemakers or water dispensers, which means they could be to blame for water leaks in your kitchen.

The good news is that any leaks you see puddling underneath your refrigerator are going to be entirely water, as the coolant used in the appliance is a gas, not a liquid. However, you still need to take some immediate action to address the leak before you do any significant damage to your appliance or flooring.

Here is some information from a company specializing in commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR about what to do if your fridge is leaking.

Check the defrost drain

A blocked defrost drain could be the cause of leaks coming from your refrigerator. This should be the first spot in the appliance that you check out and attempt troubleshooting. Food particles or ice can jam up the area where the drain opens up, which will prevent water from the defrost cycle draining down into the pan. If the water builds up to a certain extent, it will start leaking out of the refrigerator.

You can clean out the drain by flushing it with hot water. A stiff wire can be used to remove solid blockages if necessary.

Check the drain pan

Sometimes the drain pan at the very bottom of the refrigerator can be the source of the leak if it develops a crack or hole. While small amounts of water will occasionally accumulate inside the drain pan, that water should not escape the pan—the pan is designed to prevent it from leaking outside of the refrigerator. Instead, the water in the drain pan should evaporate before leaking, as the condenser fan consistently blows warm air across the surface.

Pull out the drain pan and check for any signs of cracking or damage. If the pan is damaged, it can easily be replaced.

Look at connections to the icemaker

Sometimes the water lines that connect to the icemaker can come loose from the machine, or the seals holding it in place can form cracks. When this happens, the water line will leak and cause pooling under or around the refrigerator. The hoses themselves could also crack or tear, or develop kinks that cause leaks to form.

If the supply line is the issue, there will probably be water running from that line down to the floor. You can either tighten the connections or replace the line entirely. Sometimes the connectors themselves need to be replaced as well.

Check the water filter

Improper connections between the water supply and water filter can cause leakage issues. The filter could be installed incorrectly, or it could be the wrong size or model for the appliance. Check the filter, and if this is the issue causing the leak, make the replacement.

For more information about how to address refrigerator leaks, contact a contractor who provides service for commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR.