Why is there water pooling under my refrigerator?

1. A clogged or frozen defrost drain

A small drain hole in the freezer carries melted frost down a tube to a drip pan under the fridge. When food debris, ice or mold blocks it, the water backs up and ends up on your floor.

To check, remove the bottom drawer or back panel inside the freezer (this varies by model) and look for ice at the drain hole. To clear it, unplug the refrigerator and leave the doors open for a few hours so the ice melts. Then gently flush the hole with warm water from a turkey baster, or use a pipe cleaner.

If the clog keeps coming back every few months, the door seal may be letting in extra humidity.

2. A damaged or dirty door seal

When the door gasket is cracked, torn or coated in food residue, warm air gets in, condensation builds up and it can drip onto the floor. The refrigerator also has to work harder.

To check, close the door on a dollar bill and try to pull it out. If it slides out easily, the seal isn't gripping there. Repeat in several places, and look for cracks or stiff sections. Warm water and a soft cloth can clear residue in mild cases. A torn or stiff gasket needs replacing.

3. A cracked or misplaced drip pan

The drip pan under most refrigerators collects defrost water so it can evaporate. Over time it can crack, warp or shift, especially after the fridge is moved. Then water spills out at the base.

You can usually reach the pan by removing the front grille at the bottom. If it has only shifted, slide it back into place. If it's cracked, it needs replacing, and a technician can do that if it's hard to reach on your model.

4. A problem with the water line (ice maker and dispenser models)

These leaks can be hard to spot, because water can travel along the line and pool some distance from the problem. Common causes are:

• A loose connection where the line meets the refrigerator
• A small crack or pinhole in the line, often from age or a kink behind the fridge
• A frozen section of line inside the freezer wall, which can crack as it expands
• A failing water inlet valve that doesn't fully shut off

Carefully pull the refrigerator away from the wall, with a towel ready, and look for kinks, cracks or moisture at the connections. A loose connection can sometimes be hand-tightened. A cracked line or failing valve needs a technician.

5. The refrigerator isn't level

Refrigerators are meant to tilt back very slightly, so water flows toward the drip pan. If yours sits level or tilts forward, especially after a move or on an uneven floor, water can spill out the front.

Put a level on top, side to side and front to back. Then adjust the front legs slightly higher than the back. Most manufacturers recommend about a quarter to half inch of backward tilt.

When to call a technician

Call if the leak keeps coming back, or if you aren't comfortable pulling the fridge out or reaching the drip pan. A persistent leak can damage flooring and encourage mold under the appliance, and a water line problem can cause bigger water damage behind the fridge.

Refrigerator repair