Here's Why Your Refrigerator Is Leaking

There seems to be a constant puddle in front of your fridge, and you're not sure why it's happening. You may have thought the kids dropped some ice cubes from the refrigerator door and left them there, but it keeps happening (and the kids swear it wasn't them!). It could be the water is coming right from your refrigerator, but where?

It's not always easy to tell where water like this is coming from because there are several potential sources. As you get out the mop to clean it up again, there are a few things to take a closer look at to see if you can find the source. Most of the time, once you determine what the problem is, you can fix it rather simply. Forbes Advisor warns not to put off figuring it out because doing so could lead to bigger, more expensive repairs down the road, especially if it damages the drywall or cabinetry or it shortens the refrigerator's lifespan. So, where do you start looking?

One of the most common problems causing water leaks, according to Forbes Advisor, is the water supply line which feeds water into the refrigerator to produce ice and dispense water. The water line typically is a thin, plastic hose. To find it, unplug your refrigerator and then pull it out from against the wall, being careful not to tug too hard. As you do, you'll see the water line and can trace it into the fridge's interior.

If there are drips coming from it, chances are good that's the leak. You may need to turn the water off and replace the damaged or deteriorating hose with a new one. The most common signs that this is the problem include a poor stream of water coming out of the in-door dispenser and limited to no ice production (other times, the ice may look like it's half the size it should be).

Also note, as HB Home Service Team states, the hose could be blocked with a pocket of ice. If that's the case, leave the fridge off until the ice melts (being conscious of the food within it!).

If you're not noticing problems with the hose, turn to the defrost drain, where water from the defrost cycle of your fridge should drain away. Most refrigerators have a defrost cycle that operates automatically, but sometimes the drain can be clogged, not allowing melted ice to drain away. If you notice water under your fresh food drawers, Paradise Appliance says it's likely the drain. You can use pipe cleaners to clear out any blockages in the drain; just be sure to unplug the fridge first.

They also encourage checking the drip pan, which sits under the refrigerator and collects any water that doesn't evaporate during the defrost cycle. Look under the front side of the refrigerator for the drip pan, pull it straight out toward you slowly, and empty it. If this continues to be a problem, you may need to have a professional check the defrost components that may not be operating as they should.