Keep A Frost-Free Fridge From Leaking Water

A frost-free fridge has a defrost cycle. This means that when the sensor detects frost, a heater on the evaporator coil is designed to come on and melt any ice present in the fridge. This cycle occurs once every six hours, and the water that results from the melting ice trickles down into a drain at the back of the freezer cover. The drain is hardly noticeable as it is quite small, but it performs an essential function.

Sometimes, however, the melted frost water does not drain away and leaves a pool of water. If left unfixed, this can create an unpleasant smell and saturate any foodstuffs at the bottom of the fridge. Follow the steps below to prevent this problem:

Step 1 — Keep the Frost-Free Fridge Scrupulously Clean

Perhaps the drain has been blocked with foodstuffs or debris. In this case, empty it out completely and clean it thoroughly. The best way to clean the systems is to use a solution of water and bleach. This solution can be applied with appropriate force by using a turkey baster or a similar functioning tool.

Remove the blockage and clear up the standing water. Make a mental note to clean the drain regularly to ensure that your frost-free fridge runs smoothly, and you do not encounter this problem again in the future.

Step 2 — Check That the Frost-Free Mechanism Is Working

If this mechanism is not working, the problem may be self-perpetuating. The standing water can sometimes turn to ice, which in turn will create a “plug” for the drain. This will result in more water gathering and pooling. To fix this problem, the defrost timer and heater in the mechanism needs to be fixed by a professional.

In the short term, however, you should correct the problem by removing the ice in order to allow proper drainage.

Step 3 — The Copper Wire Trick

Some do-it-yourself enthusiasts wrap a copper wire around the heater and train the end of the wire to the drain. This is intended to divert any extra heat into the drain and to stop the ice plug from forming (the copper conducts the heat). An added benefit of this approach is that the wire acts as a grill to keep any stray debris out, and as a result, the drain has a smaller chance of getting blocked.

These tips should keep your frost-free fridge from leaking water and in good working order.