The appearance of a puddle on the floor in front of the refrigerator or accumulation water on the bottom shelf of the freezer is a signal that cannot be ignored. Owners of equipment LG often encounter the fact that the moisture removal system ceases to cope with its function due to a banal blockage. The moisture generated during operation of the unit should flow freely into a special tank, but if its path is blocked by a garbage plug or ice, the water begins to look for a way out.
You should not panic and call a technician at the first sign of a leak, since in most cases the problem is solved on its own in 15-20 minutes. Drainage system refrigerators LG is designed quite simply, and its maintenance does not require complex tools or deep technical knowledge. The main thing is to understand the principle of air and moisture circulation inside the chamber in order to effectively eliminate the cause of the malfunction.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of cleaning the drainage hole, from preparation to the final check of the system's performance. You will learn what tools you will need, how to properly defrost the drainage channel and what to do if the water does not drain even after cleaning. The main cause of 90% of blockages is food particles and mold deposits that accumulate at the entry point of the tube.
The principle of operation of the condensate drainage system
To effectively remove a blockage, you need to understand exactly how the moisture removal mechanism in your refrigerator works. In models with a No Frost and drip system, moisture settles on the rear wall of the chamber during compressor operation. When the compressor is turned off, the wall heats up, the ice melts, and the water flows down the groove into the drainage hole.
Next, the water flows through the tube into a special container located above the compressor at the bottom of the unit. There it naturally evaporates under the influence of the heat of a running motor. If at any stage of this path an obstacle arises, the water overflows the groove and flows into the chamber or onto the floor.
⚠️ Attention: In models LG with the system No Frost the drainage hole is often hidden behind a decorative panel on the back wall. Do not try to remove the panel by force without checking for hidden fasteners.
Clogging can occur for various reasons: from the ingress of food crumbs to the formation of an ice plug in the channel itself. Ice jam is a common occurrence if the refrigerator has not been defrosted for a long time or the temperature regime has been disturbed. Understanding this process will help you not only clean the pipe, but also prevent the situation from reoccurring in the future.
Necessary tools and preparation
Before taking active steps, you need to prepare a workplace and the necessary equipment. You don’t need a professional plumber’s kit, just available tools that can be found in every home. Proper preparation will save time and protect the kitchen floor from excess moisture.
For work you will need the following items:
- 🧽 A soft sponge and dry rags for collecting water.
- 💧 A syringe without a needle or a rubber bulb for rinsing channel.
- 🧶 Thin wire, fishing line or a special brush for cleaning.
- 🧴 Warm water (not boiling water!) to dissolve fat deposits.
It is important to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply before starting any work. This will ensure your safety and allow ice jams, if any, to naturally defrost. While the unit is turned off, you can remove all the shelves and drawers to provide free access to the back wall.
Step-by-step instructions for cleaning the drainage
The process of cleaning the drainage tube in the refrigerator LG requires a sequence of actions. First you need to find the hole itself. In most models, it is located at the bottom of the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment, sometimes under a plastic box. If you see water in the gutter, then the drain is really blocked.
Next you should perform mechanical cleaning. Take the prepared wire or brush. Carefully, without sudden movements, insert the tool into the hole, trying to push the clog deeper or catch it. Do not use sharp metal objectssuch as knives or knitting needles, so as not to damage the plastic walls of the tube, as this can lead to freon leakage if the evaporator is pierced.
☑️ Algorithm for cleaning the drainage
After mechanical removal of the main plug, it is necessary to flush the channel. Fill a syringe or bulb with warm water and inject it into the hole under pressure. If the water drains slowly, repeat the procedure several times. You can use a weak soda solution to disinfect and remove grease deposits.
In some cases, deeper cleaning is required. If water sits in the channel and does not go away, the blockage may be deep in the bend of the tube. In this case, you can use a thin hose from a dropper, putting it on a syringe, to supply water or air under pressure directly to the site.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to pour hot water (above 50°C) into the drainage hole. A sharp temperature change can deform the plastic elements of the system or damage the internal evaporator.
Removing ice plugs
Often the reason that the water does not drain is not garbage, but an ice plug. This happens if the refrigerator operates in the deep freeze mode for too long or if the door seal is broken, allowing warm, moist air to enter. Ice blocks the channel, and melt water begins to overflow over the edge of the groove.
To remove the ice plug, you do not need to pick the channel with a knife. The most effective and safest method is complete defrosting. Leave the refrigerator turned off with the doors open for at least 12, preferably 24, hours. During this time, the ice in hard-to-reach places in the drainage tube will have time to completely melt.
To speed up the process, you can use a hair dryer, but with great care. Direct a blast of warm (not hot!) air at the outlet area, but do not hold the hair dryer close to the plastic for more than 30 seconds. Overheating of the plastic can lead to its melting and deformation of the channel.
Why does an ice plug form?
An ice plug is formed due to condensation that freezes in the channel. This often happens if the refrigerator is too close to the wall (rear ventilation is poor) or if you often leave the door open. Also, the cause may be a malfunction of the defrost sensor, due to which the system does not switch to the evaporator defrost mode.">
After defrosting, be sure to wipe all surfaces dry and check if the water flows freely. To do this, pour a glass of water into the groove. If it quickly disappears with a characteristic gurgle, then the system is free of ice.
Diagnostics of faults and table of problems
Sometimes cleaning does not bring the desired result, and water continues to accumulate. In this case, the problem may lie deeper than simple blockage. Below is a table that will help diagnose the condition of the drainage system by external signs.
| Symptom | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Water is in the groove | Clog in the upper part of the channel | Mechanical cleaning with a brush |
| Water leaves slowly | Greasy deposits on the walls | Rinsing with warm water and soda |
| Ice at the outlet of the channel | Ice plug inside the tube | Complete defrosting (24 hours) |
| Water flows along the back wall | The groove or plug is displaced | Proper installation of products |
If after all the procedures the water still does not leave, the tube itself may be pinched behind the back panel of the refrigerator. This can happen when. inaccurate transportation or moving equipment close to the wall. In this case, you will need to move the refrigerator and check the integrity of the hose from the outside.
Prevention of blockages and care of the system
To prevent the problem with the drain tube from recurring regularly, it is important to follow simple rules for operating the refrigerator LG. Prevention takes less time than eliminating the consequences of a leak, and helps extend the life of the unit.
Here are the basic care recommendations:
- 🍲 Do not store food in open containers without lids so that food particles do not get into the air and then into the drain.
- 🧼 Once every 3-4 months carry out preventive rinsing of the channel with warm water.
- ❄️ Monitor the temperature and do not overload the chamber with products, blocking the air circulation.
It is also important to monitor the condition of the door seals. If the rubber does not fit tightly, warm air constantly enters the chamber, which increases the amount of condensation and the load on the drainage system. Wash the seals regularly and check their elasticity.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to use a cable to clean the drainage tube?
It is not recommended to use a hard plumbing cable, as it can pierce a thin plastic tube or damage the evaporator located in the immediate vicinity. It is better to use soft wire, fishing line or a special flexible brush.
Why is water still standing in the groove after cleaning?
If the water is standing but leaving very slowly, there may be a fatty deposit left in the channel, which narrows the passage. Try rinsing the channel several times with warm water with the addition of a small amount of dishwashing detergent, and then with clean water.
How to understand that the drainage tube is pinched?
If mechanical cleaning and defrosting do not help, and outside, at the bottom of the refrigerator, you see traces of moisture or the tube is visually deformed, it means it is pinched. Access to the rear panel of the unit is required to straighten the hose.
Is it necessary to lubricate the drainage hole with oil?
No, it is strictly forbidden to lubricate the hole with oil. The oil will create a sticky film to which dust and debris will stick, which will lead to an even faster and denser blockage in the future.