Where is the drainage hole in the Atlant refrigerator: search, cleaning and maintenance

The appearance of water on the kitchen floor or a puddle inside the refrigerator is a signal that cannot be ignored. Owners of Belarusian brand equipment often encounter a situation where the moisture removal system ceases to cope with its task. If you notice an accumulation of liquid in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment, it means drainage hole it is clogged or frozen, requiring immediate intervention.

The main function of this technological channel is to drain condensate formed on the rear wall into a special evaporation tray located above compressor. During normal operation, moisture flows down the groove and leaves quietly, leaving no traces. However, when the permeability is impaired, water begins to overflow over the edge of the gutter and accumulate on the shelves with vegetables or flow out.

Understanding exactly where this element is located and how it works will help you quickly fix the problem on your own. Solving a problem does not always require calling a specialist; simple prevention is often sufficient. In this article, we will analyze in detail the design of the moisture removal system in models Atlant and provide a step-by-step algorithm for restoring its functionality.

Location of the drainage hole in various models

In the vast majority of refrigerators Atlant, equipped with a drip defrosting system (No Frost in the refrigerator compartment does not have such a hole in the classic form), the drainage channel is located on the rear inner wall. Visually, this is a small round or oval hole with a diameter of about 1-2 centimeters. It is located in the lower part of the rear panel, strictly in the center or offset to one side, directly above the plastic groove.

Sometimes users do not notice it right away, since the entrance to the channel can be covered with a plastic decorative plug or mesh. In more modern models, the entrance may be slightly offset to the left or right so as not to interfere with the installation of containers. If you have pulled out all the drawers and removed the food, but do not see an obvious hole, carefully inspect the area under the bottom shelf - this is where the entrance to the drainage system is most often hidden.

⚠️ Attention: In two-chamber refrigerators Atlant with the No Frost system, there may be no drainage hole in the refrigerator compartment, since the evaporator there is located behind a plastic panel and defrosts automatically. Make sure that your model is a “crying wall” type.

It is important to distinguish the drainage hole of the refrigerator compartment from the water drainage system in the freezer. In a freezer, the channel is often hidden deeper, behind the back wall, and access to it may require partial disassembly. However, in standard models with a drip system, everything is simpler: look for the lowest point on the back vertical surface inside the chamber.

The design of the moisture removal system

The condensate removal system in technology Atlant is designed quite simply, which ensures high reliability, but requires periodic attention. It consists of three main elements: a receiving chute, an inlet and an outlet tube. The groove is a recess in the plastic of the rear wall, which collects flowing drops of water during defrost cycles of the compressor.

The hole itself is a transition unit connecting the gutter to the vertical tube. A special valve or simply a narrowing is often installed inside this tube, which prevents cold air from escaping from the chamber to the outside, maintaining the temperature regime. It is in this unit that ice plugs most often form or sticky dirt accumulates.

The lower end of the tube is led into a plastic container (bath) attached to the compressor casing. The heat from a running motor promotes the natural evaporation of collected moisture, so in a working refrigerator there is no need to drain the water from this container - it disappears by itself during the operation of the unit.

Causes of clogging and ice formation

The main reason for the violation of the outflow of water is a banal failure to comply with the rules for storing food. Crumbs, pieces of packaging, leafy greens, or seeds may accidentally get caught in the groove and be pushed deeper into the tube. Over time, these small particles accumulate, forming a dense plug that completely blocks the channel cross-section.

The second common problem is the formation of an ice plug. If the temperature in the compartment is set to a minimum, or if the refrigerator door does not fit tightly, the humidity inside increases sharply. The water in the narrow channel freezes, turning into an ice lump. Even after defrosting, such a lump may not melt completely, since heat does not penetrate deep into the tube.

It is also worth mentioning the deformation of the gutter. If mechanical pressure was applied to it (for example, when installing a pan or heavy box carelessly), the plastic could bend. As a result of this, the slope is broken, and the water stops flowing into the hole, but overflows. Visually, this looks like a blockage, although technically the channel may be clean.

• 🥦 Small particles of food (crumbs, seeds, pieces of leaves) getting into the drain channel.
• ❄️ Formation of an ice plug due to too low a temperature or frequent opening of the door.
• 🧼 Accumulation of grease deposits and mold, which narrow the passage for water.
• 📉 Displacement or deformation of the receiving groove, disrupting the natural drainage.

Instructions for cleaning the drainage channel

Before starting any work, you must turn off the power to the refrigerator. Unplug the cord and clear the bottom of the refrigerator compartment of food. It is also advisable to remove the shelves and drawers to ensure free access to the back wall and not damage them during the cleaning process.

If you find visible debris in the hole, try to carefully remove it with tweezers or your fingers. Do not use sharp metal objects such as knives or screwdrivers to pick inside the hole - you risk puncturing the thin plastic tube or damaging the insulating layer, which will lead to serious and expensive repairs.

To remove ice or grease plugs, it is best to use a soft rubber blower or a special drain brush. Fill the bulb with warm (not hot!) water and inject it into the hole under pressure. Repeat the procedure several times. If the water drains slowly, you can use a special cable with a soft brush at the end, gently rotating it inside the channel.

⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to use hot water or steam for cleaning. A sharp change in temperature can lead to cracking of the plastic of the inner chamber of the refrigerator Atlant.

Table of typical faults and elimination methods

The problem does not always lie only in dirt. Sometimes the external signs are similar, but the reasons require a different approach. Below is a table that will help diagnose a specific situation and choose the right repair strategy.