Where is the water coming from?
The location tells us the cause. Look first, then call.
Water under the freezer drawer (French door, bottom-freezer)
Cause: Defrost drain is clogged. By far the most common leak. Water that should run to the drain pan freezes in the drain instead, then overflows onto the freezer floor and out the bottom of the unit when it eventually melts.
Fix: Clear the drain, melt the existing ice. On many models we install a small clip that prevents it from refreezing. One-visit fix.
Water inside the fridge — pooling under the produce drawers
Cause: Same as above on side-by-side and top-freezer units — the defrost drain is clogged. On these layouts the water has nowhere to go but inside.
Water on the kitchen floor in front of the fridge
Possible causes:
- Defrost drain overflowing (after the freezer floor fills up)
- Cracked or knocked-out drain pan underneath the fridge
- Water inlet line leak — usually behind the fridge, harder to spot
- Ice maker fill tube cracked
Water under or behind the fridge only
Cause: Almost always the water supply line itself. The plastic line, the saddle valve at the wall, or the connection to the back of the fridge. We pull the unit, find the leak, and replace the bad section.
Water dripping from the door dispenser
Cause: Failing dispenser valve, or a small ice clog inside the door that's slowly melting. Different from the leaks above — usually a same-visit fix.
Why drains clog
Tiny food particles fall into the drain during a defrost cycle. They mix with water and slowly form a plug. On some models — KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Maytag French door units — there's a known design issue where the drain runs through a thin section of plastic that freezes too easily. There's a manufacturer fix (a small heated clip) that we can install when we clear the drain.
What to do right now
- Mop up the water and put a towel down to catch more
- If you can see ice on the freezer floor, you've got a drain clog — mention this when you call
- Don't try to chip the ice out with a knife (we've replaced too many punctured evaporator coils)
- If water is coming from a line behind the fridge, shut off the saddle valve under the sink or in the wall
Condo and apartment buildings: If water is reaching the floor under the fridge, there's a chance it's reaching the unit below you. Letting your building manager know early can save a lot of trouble. We can document the source if you need it for an insurance claim or HOA.