The appearance of a puddle in the kitchen near the refrigerator LG is always an alarming signal that requires immediate intervention. Water can drain not only due to simple inattention during defrosting, but also indicate serious malfunctions in the condensate drainage system or even in the cooling circuit. Ignoring the problem often leads to swelling of the laminate, the appearance of mold under the baseboards and, most dangerously, to the failure of expensive electronic components of the unit itself.
Equipment owners LG often face the fact that water accumulates in the lower part of the chamber or flows out through cracks in the housing. Root cause There may be either a simple blockage of the drain hole, or a more complex defect associated with a violation of the tightness of the system. It is important not to panic, but to consistently analyze the nature of the leak, its location and frequency of occurrence in order to choose the right elimination method.
Further actions depend on where exactly you found the water: inside the refrigerator compartment, under the vegetable boxes or directly on the floor behind the unit. In some cases, it is enough to clean the tube with a brush, in others, you will need to replace the seal or professional repair of the evaporator. Diagnostics is the first and most important stage that will save your nerves and money.
Analysis of leakage localization and primary diagnostics
Before grabbing the tools, you need to accurately determine the source of the liquid. If there is water under the fruit boxes in the refrigerator, then with a 90% probability the problem lies in the condensate drainage system. In models LG with a system No Frost water should usually not appear on the shelves, since moisture evaporates, however, in drip systems this is a normal process that has simply ceased to be drained correctly.
The situation changes dramatically if a puddle forms on the floor behind the back wall of the refrigerator. Here the options can be more serious: from displacement of the drain tray above the compressor to breakdown of the evaporator. Refrigerantcoming out can carry oil with it, so look carefully at the color and consistency of the liquid. Clear, odorless water is condensation, and an oily substance with a chemical odor is a sign of depressurization of the circuit.
It is also worth inspecting the doorways. If water flows down the outside of the frame or accumulates in the lower corners of the door, check the tightness of the seal sealing rubber. Failure to close the door tightly leads to the active formation of ice, which, when defrosted, releases excess water that does not have time to go into the drainage. In some models LG with a water dispenser, the reason may lie in a leaky connection of the liquid supply hoses.
Eliminating a blockage in the drainage system
The most common reason why a refrigerator leaks LG inside the chamber is a simple blockage of the drainage hole. During operation, food crumbs, mold deposits or pieces of packaging get there and clog the drain. The water that forms on the back wall during cyclic defrosting does not have time to leave and overflows the groove, beginning to flow onto the food and the floor of the chamber.
To fix this problem, you will need a soft wire, a special brush or a long flexible knitting needle. It is strictly not recommended to use sharp metal objects, which can damage the thin walls drainage tube or pierce the evaporator hidden behind the plastic panel. Carefully insert the tool into the hole located in the lower part of the rear wall and make rotational movements, trying to break through the plug.
After mechanical cleaning, it is necessary to flush the system. To do this, fill a medical syringe (without a needle) or a rubber bulb with warm water and pour it into the drainage hole. If the water leaves quickly and a characteristic gurgling sound is heard, then the path is clear. As a preventive measure, you can use a weak soda solution or a special drain cleaner that will dissolve fatty deposits.
☑️ Cleaning the refrigerator drainage
⚠️ Attention: If after cleaning the water continues to stagnate, it may be pinched drain hose in the back of the unit or the outlet of the tube in the freezer compartment has iced up (in No Frost systems).
Problems with the No Frost system and icing
In refrigerators LGequipped with technology No Frostwater inside the chamber may appear due to a cycle violation evaporator defrost. If the defrost heating element, defrost sensor or timer fails, the ice does not have time to melt in the allotted time. As a result, the drainage chute under the evaporator overflows, and excess water begins to flow out through the ventilation holes into the refrigerator or freezer.
Often owners notice that pieces of ice or snow fly out of the air ducts along with the water. This is a sure sign that the system is “clogged” with ice. In such cases, it is necessary to completely defrost the refrigerator within 24 hours. It is necessary to disconnect the device from the mains, open all doors and leave it for at least 24 hours so that the ice inside the housing completely melts.
If after complete defrosting the problem returns after a few days, it means that one of the elements of the defrosting system is faulty. Defrost thermostat it could “stick” in the “on” position, preventing the heating element from starting, or the heating element itself burned out. Diagnosis of these components requires a multimeter and skills in working with electrical circuits, so it often requires calling a technician.
Why doesn't defrosting help?
If you defrosted the refrigerator for less than 12 hours, ice in hard-to-reach places (inside the air ducts) might not have time to melt. It is also possible that the drainage tube leading into the freezer has a bend, where water constantly remains and freezes again, creating a blockage.
Faults in the evaporator tray and compressor compartment
When water is found on the floor directly under or behind the refrigerator, the first step is to check the condition of the condensate tray. In models LG it is located above the compressor in the rear lower part of the unit. The water flows there by gravity and evaporates due to the heat generated by the running motor. If the tray is misaligned, cracked or overfilled, water will leak onto the floor.
Sometimes the problem lies in the incorrect position of the refrigerator itself. If the unit is tilted backwards or tilted to one side, the water in the drain pan may overflow. Adjusting the height of the front supports using screws will help set the equipment strictly horizontally or with a slight tilt back, which will ensure proper drainage of liquid.
It is also worth paying attention to the integrity of the tube through which water enters the tray. If it comes off the fitting or bursts, water will drip past the container. In older models, the plastic of the tray could dry out and crack due to constant heating. In this case, you will need to replace the part with a new one.
| Malfunction | Symptoms | Elimination method |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Clogged drain | Water inside the chamber, on the shelves | Cleaning with a brush, washing |
| Tray Offset | Puddle under refrigerator behind | Correct installation of the tray |
| Evaporator breakdown | Oil in water, chemical smell | Professional repair, sealing |
| Seal wear | Ice, water around the edges of the door | Replacement or restoration of gum |
| Defrost fault | Ice in the chamber, water periodically | Replacing the heating element or sensor |
Replacement and restoration of the door seal
A tight fit of the door is the key to proper operation of the refrigerator LG. If sealing rubber lost elasticity, becomes dirty or damaged, warm moist air begins to flow into the chamber. This leads to intensive formation of condensation and ice, which the drainage system cannot cope with. Water begins to accumulate at the bottom of the chamber and flow out.
Before buying a new part, try restoring the old one. Often the rubber band simply becomes deformed or debris gets caught in it. Wash the seal thoroughly with warm water and soap, removing all dirt from the folds. If the rubber has moved away from the body, it can be carefully glued with special glue or fixed in the groove.
In cases where the rubber has become hard and brittle, hot water will help. Pour boiling water from a kettle over the seal (be careful not to scald yourself!) to give it elasticity, and close the door tightly for several hours. If cracks, tears or mold are visible on the surface that cannot be washed off, a complete one will be required. For models replacing the seal. For models LG it is better to order original spare parts according to the model number.
⚠️ Attention: When installing a new seal, be sure to heat the corners with a hairdryer so that the rubber straightens and sits tightly in the corners of the door, otherwise the seal will not be sealed broken.
Serious damage: breakdown of the evaporator and circuit
The most difficult and expensive case is damage to the internal evaporator. This can happen when defrosting carelessly with a sharp object (knife, screwdriver) or when trying to remove frozen ice. If you hear hissing, smell a strong odor, or see oil leaking out along with the water, it means that there has been a breakdown of the refrigerant refrigerant.
You cannot operate such a refrigerator. In addition to the fact that it will stop cooling, the escaping gas can be hazardous to health, and running the compressor without oil and freon will lead to its rapid combustion. In this case, independent repair is impossible: you need to call a specialist to find the leak, seal the hole and fill the system with freon.
Sometimes a leak occurs due to corrosion of the housing or internal elements, especially in older models or in high humidity conditions. Rust can eat right through the metal, creating a hole for water or coolant to escape. It is not always possible to weld or solder such places locally; often the entire assembly or evaporator needs to be replaced.
Is it possible to temporarily seal a hole in the evaporator?
There is a method with epoxy resin or cold welding, but this is a temporary measure. In conditions of vacuum and temperature changes, the tightness will not last long, and remaining moisture inside the system will lead to compressor failure.
Prevention and operating rules
If the problem of the “current” refrigerator LG has not returned, it is important to follow the operating rules. Do not place hot food in the chamber - this will cause a sharp jump in humidity and the formation of a large amount of condensation. Cover liquid products with lids to prevent moisture from settling on the walls.
Regularly, at least once every six months, check the cleanliness of the drainage hole and carry out preventive cleaning. Make sure that products do not block the ventilation holes, especially in systems No Frostas this disrupts air circulation and leads to local icing.
Timely defrosting (for drip systems) and monitoring the condition of the seal will prolong the life of your unit. If you notice the first signs of a malfunction, do not delay repairs - a small puddle today can turn into flooding your neighbors tomorrow.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why an LG refrigerator Is it leaking inside even though I just defrosted it?
Most likely, you didn’t defrost the unit long enough. Ice may have remained in hidden ducts or drainage pipes. When turned on, it will melt and water will flow inside. Also check if the drain hose is not pinched.
Is it possible to operate the refrigerator if it leaks a little?
It is highly not recommended. Water may get on electrical contacts and cause short circuits or corrosion of metal parts. In addition, constant humidity is an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and mold.
How often should you clean the drainage hole in an LG refrigerator?
It is advisable to carry out preventive cleaning every 6 months. If you have animals in your house whose fur can get into the chamber, or you often store food in open containers, you should check it more often - once every 3-4 months.
What to do if black or rusty water flows from the hole?
This is a sign that mold has settled in the drainage system or corrosion of metal elements has begun. It is necessary to thoroughly rinse the system with a soda solution or a special product; you may need to disassemble the rear panel for complete cleaning.