Maytag refrigerator leaks water

What to expect when you experience a Maytag refrigerator leaks water issue

How is the leaks water problem fixed?

Correcting most leaks water problems usually involves replacing the defrost drain, compressor or water valve. However, there are many potential causes, so a thorough diagnosis is key to fixing the problem. An accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding how much the repair will be.

Sears Home Services recommendations for a refrigerator that leaks water

When the refrigerator leaks water it can be for many reasons. To avoid replacing unneeded parts, we recommend scheduling Maytag refrigerator repair with a local Sears Home Services professional who can perform diagnostic tests to identify the root cause of the problem. Our technicians are experienced at diagnosing all types of refrigerator failures.

What to look out for with a refrigerator leaks water diagnosis

Diagnosing modern appliances without proper knowledge and training can be difficult. Without using proper diagnostic techniques, fixing your refrigerator problem will only be achieved through changing parts on a hunch. Appliances, especially in the last 10 years, have become extremely advanced, and many models have electronic parts that are difficult to test. DIY repairs on the latest appliance models are becoming increasingly difficult.

What causes a Maytag refrigerator to leak water underneath?

Here are the most common causes of a Maytag refrigerator leaking from the bottom:

Clogged or Frozen Defrost Drain

The defrost drain removes water created during the automatic defrost cycle.

Water drips down into the defrost drain tray under the evaporator and then the defrost drain tube carries the water down to the defrost drain pan at the bottom of the refrigerator in the machine compartment. In between automatic defrost cycles, the water in the defrost drain pan evaporates away.

If the defrost drain tube gets clogged or frozen, water overflows the evaporator defrost drain tray and drips inside the fridge or the freezer compartment.

In a top-freezer refrigerator, the leaking water typically winds up at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment under the crisper drawers.

Follow this procedure to clear a clogged or frozen defrost drain:

• Unplug the refrigerator and remove the evaporator cover panel in the freezer to access the evaporator defrost drain tray. In some top-freezer refrigerators, you’ll need to remove the ice maker before removing the evaporator cover.
• Melt ice in the evaporator defrost drain tray under the evaporator using warm water and a small funnel or turkey baster. Water may seep from under the refrigerator if water drains down and overflows the drain pan at the bottom of the fridge.
• If the water doesn’t drain through the defrost drain tube after melting the ice in the defrost drain tray under the evaporator, use a pipe cleaner or straw to unclog the top of the drain tube. Check to see if the drain is clear by pouring some warm water down the tube by again using a small funnel or turkey baster.
• After clearing the defrost drain, reinstall the evaporator cover panel and plug in the refrigerator power cord to restore electrical power.

If the evaporator drain tray and defrost drain tube keeps freezing up and overflowing, schedule refrigerator repair service to have a technician diagnose and repair the problem. The tech may need to install a defrost drain tube heater to prevent water from freezing in that area.

Overflowing or Leaking Defrost Drain Pan

The drain pan at the bottom of the refrigerator in the machine compartment collects water from the evaporator drain pan under evaporator. The defrost drain tube carries the water from the evaporator defrost drain pan to the defrost drain pan.

In between defrost cycles, water in the defrost drain pan should evaporate according to refrigerator design.

If the drain pan cracks, it will leak water onto the floor that will seep out under the refrigerator.

Excessive frost caused by air leaking into the fridge through a bad door seal or other reasons can cause the defrost drain pan to overflow.

Unplug the refrigerator and remove the machine compartment cover. Examine the defrost drain pan and replace it if it’s cracked or damaged.

If the defrost drain pan is full and overflowing, empty the water out of the pan. Replace the refrigerator door seals or fix the cause of warm, moist air leaking into the refrigerator and causing excessive frost.

Here’s a DIY video that shows how to replace the refrigerator door seal on a common type of fridge:

Have a service technician replace the door seal or address the leaking problem if you’re unable to address the issue on your own.

High humidity or frequent door openings can also cause excessive frost leading to an overflowing defrost drain pan. Minimize refrigerator door openings and consider moving the refrigerator indoors if you’re using in a garage or a space that isn’t climate-controlled.

If these expert tips don’t help you resolve a problem with your Maytag refrigerator leaking water, schedule repair service and we’ll send a Sears Home Services technician to your home to fix the fridge.