A pool of water surrounding your refrigerator is a telltale sign of a freezer leak. A leaky freezer is annoying and can lead to some pretty serious water damage if you decide to ignore it. However, determining the cause of a freezer leak is not that hard. To help you prevent water damage in your home, we have created an outline of common causes of water leaks in freezers and ways to respond.
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Top Causes of Water Leaks in Freezers and How To Respond
So you have a freezer leaking water on the floor. Now what? Freezer leaks can mean a few things, so let’s take a look at the top causes of water leaks in freezers and how to address them.
1. Cracked Drain Pan
One of the most common reasons behind a freezer leak is a cracked drain pan. Freezers produce a lot of condensation that collects into the drain pan. If the drain pan is cracked, water may start to pool on the floor around your appliance.
Take a peek at your user’s manual to find the location of the drain pan. It’s usually located at the bottom of your freezer. If you can’t find the drain pan, we suggest calling a professional.
2. Clogged Drain Hole
The drain hole is responsible for draining all of the water collected in the pan. If this hole is clogged with food, ice, or grease, the water won’t be able to drain properly.
You can fix this by filling a basting syringe with warm water and squeezing it into the drain hole. The warm water will melt away any ice and dislodge debris buildup. Just make sure you wash the drain pan out with soap and water after you are done.
3. Arrangement of Food
Sometimes all you need to do is to rearrange your food. Food like frozen fruit and vegetables accumulate more condensation than other produce, so make sure you move these items away from the back of your freezer. Otherwise, condensation can seep down the wall of the freezer.
4. Defrosting Your Freezer
You should defrost your freezer at least once a year to prevent ice buildup. If you’re over-defrosting, then the defrosted water can leak onto the ground. Place a few towels around your freezer while defrosting, and try to only defrost the appliance once a year.
5. Defective Door Seal
The seal of your freezer door is what keeps warm air out. If the seal is broken or worn out, room-temperature air may enter your freezer and melt your food. This may be the source of the water leak in your freezer and can cause your food to go bad quickly, forcing you to throw out produce.
A faulty door seal may just need to be wiped down with soapy water. If this doesn’t work, you will need to replace the door seal to keep cool air in the appliance.
Read More: Top Ways to Troubleshoot a Leaking Ice Maker in Your Refrigerator
6. Temperature Control
Your freezer should be set at or below 0°F (-17.78°C). If the freezer is failing to remain at its set temperature, you might have a temperature control issue on your hands.
Temperature control malfunctions can be tricky to fix, so if you find out that the control settings are not working, we recommend you call a professional to fix your freezer.
Other Types of Freezer Problems
If your freezer is not leaking water and you are encountering a different type of problem, we have created a list of tips to help you troubleshoot your appliance. Freezer issues are common and everyone will most likely deal with one or more problems like the ones listed below.
Ice or Frost Buildup
The auto-defrost feature on your freezer is designed to prevent frost buildup. If you open your freezer and notice an excessive buildup of ice or frost, the problem could lie within the defrost timer, heater, or thermostat.
You can resolve this by turning the defrost timer clockwise. Check back in an hour and if the frost hasn’t melted by then, consider calling a technician to replace the defrost heater or thermostat.
Poor Cooling
Poor cooling almost always points toward a thermostat that is set too high. You can fix this by adjusting the temperature setting back to 0°F. Another potential culprit of inadequate cooling is the compressor which is responsible for circulating and regulating temperature.
If you have set the thermostat back to its original temperature and nothing happens, you might need to hire a technician to replace your freezer’s thermostat or temperature sensor.
Weird Sounds
It’s normal for freezers to make sounds now and then. Sounds like occasional humming, clicking, or buzzing are all normal. What is not normal is any scraping, grinding, or loud mechanical sounds. These sounds typically spell trouble and usually indicate an issue with your evaporative fan or another component.
The System Is Not Turning On
Fixing a freezer that won’t turn on can be as simple as double-checking the power cord. If the cord is loose, simply plug it back in and secure it. If the appliance is plugged in and still isn’t turning on, the issue could lie within the appliance’s electrical components.
24/7 Emergency Appliance Leak Repair
Experiencing a freezer leak or issue the day before a big holiday can send anyone into a panic. That’s why Dry Force offers emergency appliance repair and restoration services no matter what time or day it is. Get your freezer fixed before the big day and contact us for our quick 60-minute response time.
Appliance Water Damage Repair and Restoration Services
Whether it’s resolving ice buildup, responding to a water leak, tackling poor cooling, or addressing those weird noises, the team of professionals at Dry Force are available to help you. Our technicians provide extensive appliance water damage repair services and have the training necessary to help you solve freezer problems.
Our staff provides water mitigation services in Farmers Branch, TX and will inspect your freezer to find the source of the leak. Appliances don’t last forever and sometimes they can leak or malfunction—and when they do, the frustration is high, to say the least.
At Dry Force, our IICRC-certified technicians can repair and restore everything from burst pipes to refrigerator leaks in as little as one day. Contact us by phone at (877) 589-7504 for fast and reliable services and get the assistance you need when you need it.
For over 20 years, Dry Force has been providing water damage repair and water assessment services for residents in Dallas, Houston, Austin, Farmers Branch, and surrounding areas. Plus, we are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to meet your needs when you need us.
