The appearance of water on the floor near the refrigerator is always an unpleasant surprise that makes any owner of household appliances nervous. The question immediately arises of a serious breakdown, leak or failure of the cooling system, requiring expensive repairs.
However, in most cases, the cause of a banal flood is an overcrowded or misaligned condensate receiver, the existence of which many people forget. Understanding the structure of the moisture drainage system will help you quickly fix the problem on your own, without calling a technician.
In this article we will look in detail at how the drainage system works, where exactly the water collection tray is hidden in different models of refrigerators and how to properly maintain it to prevent leaks in the future.
The principle of operation of the system moisture removal
The process of condensation formation is a natural physical phenomenon for any refrigeration equipment. When warm air from the kitchen enters the chamber or onto the back wall, it cools, and the moisture it contains settles in the form of droplets.
In modern models with a system No Frost moisture evaporates automatically, but in classic two-chamber refrigerators and models with a drip defrosting system, water flows down the grooves. It is there, at the lowest level of the structure, that a special receiver is located.
The main task of this element is to collect all the drained liquid and ensure its gradual evaporation. Usually drainage tray is installed directly above the compressor, which heats up during operation. The heat from the motor promotes the rapid evaporation of water, so in a working refrigerator there is no need to add water to the system.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the water does not evaporate, but overflows over the edge of the tray, this may indicate a malfunction of the thermostat or insufficient power of the compressor, which does not have time to heat up to the desired temperature.
The design may vary depending on the brand. For example, in technology Indesit or Atlant the tray often has an elongated shape and is located strictly under the motor, while in LG it can be combined with the compressor housing.
Tray location in different models
Finding a container for condensation is the first step to solving the problem of water on the floor. The location of this element directly depends on the design of your refrigerator and the installation location of the compressor.
In the vast majority of cases evaporation tank is located at the bottom of the unit, at the back. To get to it, you need to move the refrigerator away from the wall and remove the lower back panel, which is often secured with screws or plastic latches.
However, in some designer or built-in models, access may be organized differently. For example, in a number of models Bosch i Siemens the tray can be moved forward, to the base part, and hidden behind a decorative grille at the bottom of the door.
It is also worth considering that in some old Soviet-made models or budget series the tray can be removable and simply inserted into the grooves above the compressor, without having a rigid fixation. This makes it vulnerable to displacement during careless cleaning behind the refrigerator.
If you visually cannot find the tray, check the technical data sheet of the device. In the “Device diagram” or “Care” section, the exact location of the drainage system for a specific modification is always indicated.
Instructions: how to find and check the container
To carry out diagnostics and cleaning, you will need a minimum set of tools: a screwdriver, a rag and, possibly, a flashlight. It is important to act consistently so as not to damage the fragile plastic elements.
First, completely disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. This is critical for your safety as you will be working in close proximity to electrical components and the compressor.
Move the unit away from the wall to allow easy access to the rear wall. If you have a built-in model, you may need to temporarily dismantle the lower decorative plinth of the kitchen.
☑️ Finding and checking the tray
Carefully remove the protective cover. Usually it is held on by several screws. After removal, you will see the compressor (black “tank”) and a container located above it or next to it.
Inspect condensate trap for mechanical damage. Cracks or chips can cause water to drip past, creating a puddle. If the tray is intact, check that it is level and not skewed.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to remove the tray while the refrigerator is on or just turned off. The compressor may be hot and there may still be tension in the system.
Typical problems and their solutions
Even if the condensate container is in place, water problems may persist. Most often, they are not associated with a breakdown of the tray itself, but with accompanying factors.
One of the most common reasons is clogging of the drainage hole. If the channel through which water flows from the chamber into the tray is clogged with crumbs or ice, the water begins to overflow over the edges of the internal groove and flow onto the floor, bypassing the receiver.
The second common problem is the tray being displaced. If you frequently clean or wash the floors, the rag may touch the refrigerator, and the container will slide out of its place. In this case, water drips directly onto the floor, without getting into the tank intended for it.
The third reason is high humidity in the room or frequent opening of the door. If too much humid air enters the room, the evaporation system may not be able to cope with the volume of water, and it will overfill the tray faster than it can evaporate.
| Problem | Symptom | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Clogged drain | Water inside the chamber or on the shelf | Clean the hole with a brush |
| Displacement of the tray | Puddle strictly under the back wall | Adjust the container with your hands |
| Crack in the tray | Constant leakage, visible chips | Replace the part or seal it |
| Excess moisture | Water overflows | Check the seals and mode |
To remove blockages, you can use a special flexible wire or a long brush. Carefully insert the tool into the drainage hole and make several forward movements to break through the ice or mud plug.
How to defrost an ice plug?
If the brush does not help, you can try to carefully pour a little warm (not hot!) water from a syringe into the drainage hole. This will help melt the ice plug. Repeat the procedure several times until the water begins to drain freely. Under no circumstances use sharp metal objects that can pierce the channel wall.
Rules of care and prevention
Regular maintenance of the moisture removal system will extend the life of your refrigerator and eliminate unexpected “floods” in the kitchen. Prevention takes only a few minutes, but gives excellent results.
It is recommended to conduct a visual inspection of the back of the refrigerator and the condition of the tray every six months. At the same time, you can wipe the container itself from dust and dirt that settles on it along with dust from the air.
Watch what you put on the shelves. Do not allow small crumbs, pieces of food or labels to fall into the drainage channel inside the chamber. They are the ones that most often cause traffic jams.
If you use detergents to clean the kitchen, try not to spray chemicals directly on the back wall of the refrigerator. Aggressive components can damage the plastic of the tray or cause corrosion of metal elements.
It is also important to check the tightness of the door. If the seal is worn out, warm air enters the chamber, more condensation forms, and the system may not be able to cope with the load, which will lead to overflow.
When a part needs to be replaced
Despite the simplicity of the design, condensation container may fail. Plastic becomes brittle over time, especially when exposed to temperature changes and proximity to a hot compressor.
If you find a crack through which water is seeping, using a waterproof sealant may be a temporary solution. However, this is a temporary measure: vibrations and heating will sooner or later break the seal of the patch.
In case of serious damage, it is better to order an original spare part. To do this, you will need the exact model of the refrigerator, indicated on the sticker inside the chamber or on the back wall.
Replacing a part usually does not require special skills. The new tray is simply installed in place of the old one. The main thing is to make sure that it stands up straight and the drainage tube fits exactly into the hole in the receiver.
⚠️ Attention: Technical characteristics and location of parts may vary depending on the year of manufacture and series of the refrigerator. Always check the part numbers with the manufacturer's documentation before purchasing.
If, after replacing the tray and cleaning the drainage, the water problem persists, the reason may lie deeper - in a malfunction of the defrost system or sensors. In this case, it is advisable to contact a professional technician.
Why does the water in the tray not evaporate?
Water may not evaporate if the refrigerator is operating in economy mode and the compressor rarely turns on without getting hot enough. Also, the reason may be too high humidity in the room or a breakdown of the evaporator heating element (in No Frost systems), which is responsible for heating the tray.
Is it possible to remove the tray completely?
It is absolutely not possible. Without a tray, condensation will flow directly onto the floor, causing damage to the floor covering and creating the risk of a short circuit. In addition, the absence of a tray disrupts the air circulation around the compressor, which can lead to overheating of the motor.
How often should you wash the condensate container?
It is enough to carry out a general cleaning of the tray once a year when the refrigerator is completely defrosted. The rest of the time, it’s enough to just make sure that no debris gets into it, and wipe the dust from the outside when cleaning.
What to do if the tray emits an unpleasant odor?
An unpleasant odor indicates the growth of bacteria or mold in stagnant water. It is necessary to defrost the refrigerator, remove the tray (if the design allows), wash it thoroughly with a disinfectant and dry it. It is also worth flushing the drainage channel.