The situation when a puddle suddenly appears at the bottom of the refrigerator compartment and food begins to become moldy is familiar to many owners of household appliances. Often the reason lies in a banal blockage of the drainage system or capillary tubes, which stop draining condensate or circulating refrigerant. Independent cleaning It can save the situation if you act carefully and know where exactly to look for the problem.
Before taking active steps, it is necessary understand that a refrigerator is a complex system where freon circulates under pressure, and electrical components require caution. Improper intervention can lead to damage to the wire insulation or, worse, to depressurization of the circuit. In this article, we will look at safe methods for diagnosing and cleaning various types of tubes, from drains to capillaries.
It is important to immediately determine the type of fault: if the water simply does not go into the drainage hole, this is one task, and if the refrigerator hums, but does not cool, the problem may be in capillary system. In the first case, you can do it in 15 minutes; in the second, special tools and skills may be required. Let's look at all the nuances so that you can accurately determine the scope of work.
Diagnostics of a blockage: where to look for the problem
The first step should always be a thorough visual and auditory diagnosis. If you notice water on the floor or inside the chamber, it is most likely clogged drain tube. This is the most common reason that users encounter. The water from defrosting the evaporator simply cannot go into a special container and flows out.
In the case when the unit operates continuously, the compressor hums without interruption, and there is no cold, the situation is more serious. Here the filter drier may be clogged. This is often accompanied by freezing of individual sections of the tubes or, conversely, their complete temperature inertia. capillary or filter drier. This is often accompanied by freezing of individual sections of the tubes or, conversely, by their complete thermal inertia. Localization of the blockage requires a careful examination of the back wall.
⚠️ Attention: If you find mechanical damage tubes (dents, traces of corrosion with holes), independent repair is impossible. You will need to call a specialist for soldering and refilling the refrigerant.
To check the drainage, just pour a little water into the hole on the back wall of the chamber. If the water stands still and does not go away, the blockage is confirmed. If there is a problem with cooling, pay attention to the temperature of different sections of the tubes: they should have uniform heating or cooling depending on the unit.
Preparation of tools and safety of work
High-quality cleaning is impossible without the right set of tools. You don't need complex industrial equipment, but a basic DIY kit is a must. The main rule is complete disconnection from the power supply before starting any manipulations.
- 🔧 A large-volume medical syringe (20 cubic meters) or a rubber bulb for purging.
- 🧶 Flexible wire (for example, from windshield wiper) or a special cable with a diameter of up to 2 mm.
- 🧴 Disinfection solution (chlorhexidine or weak soda solution).
- 🔦 Flashlight for inspecting hard-to-reach places.
- 🧽 Rags and container for collecting water.
When it comes to working with a capillary system, the list of tools expands. It may be necessary nitrogen for purging or a specialized solvent if the blockage is caused by a paraffin plug. However, such work falls into the category of complex repairs. First, make sure you have everything you need for basic cleaning.
Do not forget about personal safety. Wear gloves when working with chemicals or potentially hazardous liquids. If you plan to remove the back panel, prepare a storage area fastenersto avoid losing them in the process.
Cleaning the refrigerator drainage system
This is the most common procedure that solves 90% of problems with water on the floor. The drain hole is usually located at the bottom of the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment. Over time, mucus, food crumbs and mold accumulate there, forming a dense plug.
First, try cleaning the hole mechanically. Take the prepared flexible wire or cable and carefully insert it into the channel. Movements should be progressive, without sudden jerks, so as not to damage plastic pipe. Push the blockage deeper, towards the drip system.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use sharp objects (knitting needles, scissors), as there is a high risk of puncturing the tube located close to the plastic body.
After mechanical removal of the bulk of the debris, it is necessary to rinse system. Fill a syringe with warm water and disinfectant and inject under pressure into the hole. Repeat the procedure several times until the water begins to drain freely. You can use pear to create a more powerful flow.
☑️ Cleaning the drainage
Removing blockages in the No Frost system
In refrigerators with a No Frost system, the design of moisture removal is more complex. The drainage tube here often extends beyond the inner chamber and can freeze. If you see ice in the area of the hole or the water remains and does not go away even after defrosting, the problem may be deeper.
Often in such models, not only the inlet hole becomes clogged, but also the outlet hose itself, which goes to the compressor sump. Cleaning may require partial disassembly of the rear panel of the freezer. Find the place where the tube comes out and blow it out.
Sometimes the cause is frozen condensation inside the tube. In this case, defrosting the refrigerator within 24 hours helps. If after complete thawing the water does not drain away, it means there is some remaining mechanical blockagein the tube that needs to be removed with a cable.
Pay attention to the condition of the drainage heater. If it burns out, the water will constantly freeze in the tube, creating the illusion of a permanent blockage. It is better to check the heater with a multimeter, testing it for resistance.
Why is the drainage clogged in No Frost?
In No Frost systems, air circulates actively, carrying with it the smallest particles of food and dust. Over time, this mixture, mixing with condensate, forms a viscous substance resembling silt, which clogs the narrow drainage channels.
Problems with the capillary tube and filter-drier
If the refrigerator has stopped cooling and the drainage is clear, it may be clogged. capillary tube. This is a thin copper channel through which the refrigerant circulates. The blockage can be caused by waxing of the oil, moisture or wear products of the compressor.
Such a blockage can be diagnosed by characteristic signs: the compressor runs constantly, the condenser (grid at the back) is warm only at the beginning or cold, and the evaporator is not evenly covered with frost. There is often a sharp temperature difference at the site of the blockage.
| Type of blockage | Symptoms | Removal method |
|---|---|---|
| Paraffin | Periodic appearance and disappearance cold | Warming up the capillary with a hairdryer |
| Mechanical | Complete absence of cold, dull sound of the compressor | Replacing the filter-drier, blowing with nitrogen |
| Ice plug | Freezing in the capillary area | Evacuating the system, replacing the dryer |
To eliminate paraffin blockages, local heating of the capillary tube with a hair dryer to a temperature of 150-200 degrees sometimes helps. However, this is a temporary measure. The cardinal solution is replacing the filter drier evacuating the system, which requires professional equipment.
⚠️ Attention: Opening the refrigerant circuit without a license and equipment is prohibited by law in many countries due to environmental regulations. To repair capillaries, it is better to call a certified technician.
Cleaning the condenser tubes and heat exchanger
The external part of the cooling system is the condenser grille located at the back of the refrigerator. It does not clog from the inside as often as drainage, but requires regular external cleaning. A layer of dust and pet hair acts as a heat insulator, interfering with heat transfer.
For cleaning, use a vacuum cleaner with a soft attachment or a can of compressed air. Carefully walk between the radiator slats. If the contamination is strong and greasy (for example, the refrigerator is near the stove), you can use a damp cloth, but only after the appliance has completely cooled down and turned off.
Also check the condition of the tubes going to the compressor. They should not have any traces of oil. Oil stains may indicate microcracks or poor-quality soldering, through which gradually disappears freon. In this case, cleaning will not help, you will need to search for a leak.
Prevention of recurrent blockages
To prevent the problem “how to clean tubes in a refrigerator” from arising again in a month, it is important to follow the operating rules. The main cause of blockages is dirt and decay products entering the system. Make sure that the product packaging is sealed.
Regularly, at least once a quarter, carry out preventative flushing of the drainage with warm water. It will take 2 minutes, but will save you from a flood. Also, do not place hot food in the chamber - this creates excess condensation that the drainage may not be able to handle.
If you have hard water, use filters or boiled water for rinsing to prevent mineral deposits from accumulating in the tubes. For No Frost systems, it is important to monitor the health of the defrost sensors so that ice does not block the drain.
Following these simple recommendations will allow your refrigerator to operate efficiently for many years. Remember that timely prevention is always cheaper and easier than complex repairs.
Can I use a brush to clean the drainage?
It is not recommended to use a hard brush, as it can damage the inner walls of the tube or push dirt even deeper, creating an impenetrable plug. It is better to use a soft wire with cotton wool at the end or a special flexible cable.
What to do if the water drains, but slowly?
Slow drainage indicates a partial blockage or narrowing of the channel. Try intensively rinsing the drainage several times with hot water and baking soda. If this does not help, the tube may be kinked somewhere or compressed by the housing.
Is it dangerous to touch the capillary tube yourself?
Yes, it is dangerous. The capillary is very thin and breaks easily. In addition, a violation of the tightness of the circuit will lead to the release of freon and moisture into the system, which will require expensive repairs with replacement of the compressor.
Why does water still flow after cleaning the drainage?
Perhaps the blockage is deeper, in the corrugated hose outside the chamber, or the water collection tray itself is damaged. Also, the cause may be the incorrect tilt of the refrigerator - check the adjustment of the legs.