Owners of modern household appliances are often faced with an incomprehensible phenomenon: after scheduled defrosting or during normal operation, water appears on the floor. The question of where exactly moisture goes in systems No Frostis one of the most common when diagnosing faults. Unlike older models with a weeping wall, here the liquid drainage process is more complex and hidden from the user's eyes.
In an ideal scenario, you should never see water on the floor or inside the chambers. All moisture generated when the evaporator defrosts must evaporate on its own or be collected in a special container. Understanding this engineering diagram helps to quickly find the location of the leak if the system fails.
Below we will analyze in detail the path of condensate, starting from the moment of its formation on the radiator and ending with its complete removal from the internal volume of the unit. This knowledge is necessary for proper care of equipment.
The principle of condensation formation in No Frost systems
To understand where the water goes, you must first understand where it comes from. In refrigerators with the No Frost system (which translates as “without frost”) there is no frost on the inner walls of the chamber. This is achieved through forced air circulation, which passes through a special heat exchanger located behind the rear panel.
During operation, moisture contained in the air of food and food residues settles on the cooling element - the evaporator. Periodically, according to a timer or control algorithm, the compressor turns off and turns on Defrost heating element. It is at this moment that the frozen ice turns into water.
The volume of this water can be significant, especially if the door was used frequently or warm foods were placed in the chamber. This entire mass of liquid must be immediately and easily removed so as not to flood the insides of the cabinet.
⚠️ Attention: If you hear gurgling or the noise of flowing water immediately after stopping the motor, this is a normal sound of ice thawing in the system. No Frost. Do not try to disassemble the back wall at this moment.
The key element here is not the melting process itself, but the organization of collecting this water. Engineers have provided special gutters and channels that direct the flow strictly to a specific point.
Water path: from the evaporator to the drainage hole
At the moment of defrosting, melt water drips from the evaporator radiator down to the bottom of the niche where it is located. This niche is usually located behind a plastic panel inside the freezer (less often - in the refrigerator compartment, depending on the model Indesit, LG or Samsung).
The bottom of this niche has a special slope, designed so that the liquid does not spread, but collects at the lowest point. It is located there drainage hole. It represents the entrance to the plastic a tube that goes deep into the housing structure.
Gravity plays a major role here: the water leaves the cooling zone by gravity. It is important that there are no obstacles along the way in the form of pieces of food, ice or foreign objects.
If the system is working properly, the water does not even linger in the niche, but immediately goes into the tube. However, if you find ice in the evaporator niche, this is a signal that the outflow is broken or the heating element is not working correctly.
Location and design of the drainage system
A flexible or rigid hose extends from the drainage hole, which goes down to the compressor compartment. This path is laid inside the rear wall of the case, so it is not visible from the outside. The diameter of the tube is usually from 8 to 12 mm.
In the lower part of the refrigerator, above the compressor motor, there is a evaporation tank (dropper). This is a plastic tray, often black, which is heated by a running engine. This is where the water ultimately flows.
The heat from the compressor promotes intense evaporation of moisture. Thus, the water makes a full circle: from air to ice, from ice to water, from water to steam and again into the atmosphere of the kitchen. Water does not disappear without leaving a trace. state of aggregation.
Why is the drainage tube bent?
Engineers often make a loop or bend at the entrance to the drainage. This is necessary to create a water seal that prevents warm air from the room from entering the chamber and prevents cold from evaporating.
The design may vary slightly among different brands. For example, y Bosch or Siemens the tray can be combined with the compressor casing, and y Atlant can be a separate part.
Typical causes of leaks and blockages
Despite the thoughtfulness of the system, sometimes water still ends up on the floor. This happens when one of the stages of its movement is disrupted. The most common reason is a simple blockage.
Particles of food, crumbs, mucus or mold can clog the narrow drainage hole. In this case, the water simply has nowhere to go, and it overflows over the edge of the niche, flowing onto the shelves and then onto the floor.
- 🧊 Ice plug: if the refrigerator. has not been defrosted for a long time, ice could have formed in the tube, blocking the drain.
- 🍖 Garbage: pieces of polyethylene or food that got into the drain during careless loading.
- 📉 Displacement of the tube: during transportation, the hose could jump off the pipe.
- 🔨 Mechanical damage: crack in the tray or the hose itself.
It is also worth mentioning incorrect installation. If the refrigerator is not level and is skewed, water may flow not into the hole, but rather. under the drawers.
Diagnostics should begin with a visual inspection of the inside of the chamber and checking the horizontal installation.
Instructions for cleaning the drainage channel
If you find that the water does not drain, you need to clean the system. This does not always require calling a technician. The procedure is quite simple, but it requires care so as not to damage it. plastic.
First, empty the chamber of food and remove the shelves that prevent access to the back wall. Find the drainage hole. If there is water there, you can carefully remove it with a syringe or syringe.
☑️ Algorithm for cleaning the drainage
For cleaning, use a special brush (often included) or a soft wire with a curved end, wrapped in cotton wool. Do not use sharp metal objects that can pierce the tube.
After mechanical cleaning, it is recommended to rinse the channel with warm water from a syringe. The water should flow down freely and quickly. compressor.
⚠️ Attention: When using a brush or wire, do not use excessive force. The drainage tube inside the housing may be bent, and a hard object can pierce its wall, which will require complex repairs.
If the water leaves, but slowly, you can use special pipe cleaning products, but only those that safe for contact with food, or a weak soda solution.
Comparison of moisture drainage systems in different models
The design of water drainage may vary depending on the price segment and year of manufacture of the equipment. Understanding the differences helps you quickly find the right unit.
| Type of system | Evaporator location | Where the water flows | Service features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic No Frost | Behind the back wall of the freezer | Into the tray above the compressor | You need to remove the panel |
| Full No Frost | Separately in each compartment | Into a common collection chute | Complex tube system |
| Low Frost | Along the perimeter of the case | Evaporation from the walls | Rare defrosting |
| Crying system | On the back wall of the refrigerator | In the groove for vegetables | The easiest cleaning |
In models Full No Frost the tube system is more branched, since moisture is removed from two chambers. Here, the likelihood of blockage is higher due to the longer length of the communications.
In budget models, the evaporator tray may be smaller, and during intensive defrosting (for example, if the door was kept open for a long time), the water may not have time to evaporate and overflow over the edge of the tray directly onto the floor.
Preventing blockages and caring for equipment
To prevent the question “where does the water go” from becoming a problem for you, it is enough to follow simple operating rules. Regular defrosting (even for No Frost) once a year will help avoid the accumulation of ice jams.
Watch the packaging of food: small pieces of food should not fall deep into the chamber. It is also important to check the tightness of the door, since excess warm air increases the amount of condensation.
When washing the refrigerator, be sure to check the patency of the drainage hole by pouring a little water into it. This will take a couple of minutes, but will save you from a flood in the future.
If you notice that water has begun to drip inside the camera or on the floor, do not ignore it. Early detection of the problem will save the compressor from corrosion and the floor from damage.
Why does water drip inside the refrigerator compartment and not on the floor?
If water drips inside, it means the drainage hole is clogged or the drainage channel is frozen. The water does not have time to leave and overflows over the edge of the groove. Also, the cause may be too low a temperature or a malfunction of the defrost sensor.
Is it possible to drop oil into the drainage hole for lubrication?
No, this is absolutely not allowed. The oil can react with the plastic, destroying the tube, or create a dense plug along with dirt that cannot be removed without disassembly.
What to do if the tray above the compressor is cracked?
A cracked tray must be replaced. You can temporarily use a waterproof sealant, but this is a temporary measure. It is better to order an original spare part for the model of your refrigerator.
How often should you defrost a No Frost refrigerator?
Manufacturers recommend doing a complete defrosting and washing at least once a year. This is necessary not so much for removing ice, but for hygiene and checking the operation of the moisture removal system.