The discovery of an incomprehensible hole or through passage in the design of a household refrigerator often causes panic among owners. Immediately thoughts arise about a circuit depressurization, a freon leak, or a critical factory defect. However, in most cases, the holes visible to the user are an integral part of the engineering system for condensate removal or air circulation.
Understanding the design of your model Indesit, LG or Beko allows you to quickly distinguish a standard structural element from a real malfunction. It is important to immediately assess the location of this element: whether it is on the back wall inside the chamber, on the floor under the drawers, or on the outer surface of the case. The further algorithm of actions and the need to call a specialist directly depend on this.
In this article we will analyze in detail the purpose of various technological channels, explain the principle of operation of the system No Frost and point out the signs when a hole really indicates a serious problem. Ignoring some types of holes can lead to spoilage of products, and an attempt to seal the standard drainage can lead to failure of the compressor.
Drain hole: the heart of the moisture removal system
The most common type of hole that users encounter is the drain channel. In refrigerators with a drip defrost system or combination models, it is usually located at the bottom of the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment. Its main function is to collect and drain melt water formed on the evaporator during defrost cycles.
Water flows through a groove into this hole and is discharged through a tube into a special tray located above the compressor in the lower rear part of the unit. There, the moisture evaporates under the influence of the heat of a running motor. If you see a round hole with a diameter of 1-2 centimeters on the back wall, this is absolutely normal.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to try to seal, plug or foam the drainage hole. This will lead to the accumulation of water inside the chamber, the formation of ice slush and, ultimately, water leakage onto the kitchen floor.
Periodically, this channel can become clogged with food crumbs, mold or ice. To prevent blockages, manufacturers recommend regular cleaning. If you notice that water is standing in the gutter and does not drain away, you need to carefully clean the channel.
- 🧊 Use a special flexible brush-brush, which often comes with the refrigerator.
- 💧 Rinse the channel with warm water from a syringe or syringe without a needle under low pressure.
- 🧼 For disinfection, you can use a weak solution of soda or special means for cleaning refrigerators.
You should not dismantle these elements without extreme necessity, since they are easy to damage.
Technological holes in the No Frost system
Refrigerators operating using the technology No Frost (or “Showcase”) have a more complex system of internal channels. In such units, holes can be located not only on the back wall, but also on the side panels, and also hidden behind decorative grilles. They are necessary for forced circulation of cold air between the freezing and refrigerating chambers.
The air is forced by a fan through the evaporator, where it is cooled, and then supplied to the chambers through distribution channels. The outlets of these ducts are often visible as a series of slots or circular holes on the back wall or "ceiling" of the refrigerator compartment. Through them, the air returns back to the evaporator.
Why does cold air blow from the No Frost holes?
The system is designed so that the main flow of cooled air is directed precisely through these channels. If the temperature control dampers work correctly, the flow intensity may change, but the presence of air movement is normal operation.
Users are often frightened when they see holes in the partition between the chambers or in the depths of the freezer. In modern models Samsung i LG these (channels) can be quite large. The main condition for their normal operation is the absence of obstacles. Do not pack food tightly against the back wall, blocking the air flow.
If the circulation is disrupted, the refrigerator will work hard, trying to reach the set temperature, which will lead to increased energy consumption. It is also possible for ice to form in places where air escapes if the temperature conditions are chosen incorrectly.
| Type of hole | Location | Function | Normal or defective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drainage | Bottom of the rear wall (inside) | Drainage of melt water | Normal |
| Air duct | Rear wall / Partition | Circulation air | Normal |
| Technological | External rear wall | Access to tubes | Normal (closed with lid) |
| Through hole | Internal plastic case | Absent | Damage |
Holes on the outer case and back panel
If you inspected the refrigerator from the outside and found holes on the metal body, the situation requires a more careful analysis. On the rear panel, where the condenser (grid) and compressor are located, there are always technological cutouts. They are necessary for laying copper pipes of the refrigeration circuit and electrical cables during assembly at the factory.
Usually these places are closed with plastic plugs, covers or filled with sealant. However, the presence of open holes with a diameter of 10-20 mm in the motor-compressor area is a design feature for ventilation and access. Through them, heat is removed from the operating components.
There should be no holes on the side or top of the case. If you notice a through hole in the side wall through which insulation (yellow foam) or metal sheet is visible, this may be due to corrosion or mechanical damage during transportation. In such places, a “cold bridge” often occurs, leading to freezing of the wall and the formation of condensation outside.
Particular attention should be paid to the area around the tubes leaving the compressor. If the hole in the housing is too large and air from the street passes through it freely into the thermal insulation layer, the efficiency of the refrigerator decreases. In this case, it is recommended to carefully foam the excess space with polyurethane foam with a low coefficient of expansion, without affecting the tubes themselves.
Mechanical damage to the internal plastic
The most unpleasant scenario is the discovery of a hole, which according to the instructions should not exist, directly in the internal volume of the chamber. The plastic interior lining of the refrigerator is quite fragile. It may crack or break through during inaccurate defrosting, when the user tries to pick out the ice with a knife or other sharp object.
Also the cause may be the fall of a heavy glass jar or sharp object. If the hole is through and leads to insulation or outer metal, the tightness of the thermal insulation circuit is broken. Moist air from the room begins to penetrate inside, which causes abundant accumulation of ice around the damage.
- ❄️ The damage site is covered with a “coat” of ice even after defrosting.
- 💧 There is always water or condensation around the hole.
- 🌡️ The refrigerator begins to work non-stop, trying to compensate for the heat gain.
It is important to distinguish between a crack in the plastic and damage to the aluminum evaporator. If, when damaged, a hissing sound is heard and a specific chemical smell appears, this is freon leaking. In this case, operation of the refrigerator is impossible and requires expensive repairs with sealing of the circuit.
⚠️ Attention: If you damaged the wall with a knife during defrosting and heard hissing, immediately unplug the refrigerator from the outlet, open the windows for ventilation (gas may be flammable) and call a technician. Such damage cannot be repaired independently.
If only the plastic layer is damaged, but the metal base (or a foam type evaporator) is intact, the situation can be corrected. There are special repair kits for restoring plastic, epoxy adhesives and food sealants. The main thing is to carefully isolate the place of damage from moisture so that it does not reach the insulation.
Specifics of holes in the freezer
In the freezer compartment (MC), the situation with holes has its own characteristics. There is also a drainage hole here, but it is often hidden under the bottom or a plastic panel, since water freezes instantly in the MK. In systems Frost Free the drainage is located under the evaporator and is accessible only after partial disassembly.
Users often notice holes in the side walls of the freezer, which are the outlets of the cold air supply channels from the evaporator. In some models Indesit or Biryusa these may simply be slots in the plastic. You cannot seal them - this will disrupt the temperature regime in the chamber.
☑️ Checking the condition of the holes in the MK
If you find a hole in the bottom of the freezer through which metal or insulation is visible, this is critical. The main heat loss occurs through the floor of the chamber. Even a small gap will cause the compressor to work non-stop. In such cases, high-quality sealing with silicone and installation of additional thermal insulation on top is required.
It is worth noting that in older models of refrigerators, the drainage hole could lead directly into the tray inside the case, without a tube. The water just evaporated there. If you have such a model and you find a hole in the floor of the chamber leading to a niche, do not panic, this is constructive. But it is still necessary to keep this channel clean.
How to properly maintain and clean the channels
Regular maintenance of ventilation and drainage holes prolongs the life of the refrigerator. Dust, lint, and small food particles can clog the ducts, reducing cooling efficiency. It is recommended to carry out cleaning every 6-12 months, combining it with general defrosting.
To clean the external grilles (condenser) at the back of the refrigerator, use a vacuum cleaner. A condenser clogged with dust does not transfer heat well, which increases the pressure in the system and the load on the compressor. This is one of the common reasons for premature failure of equipment.
Internal air ducts are wiped with a soft damp cloth. It is not recommended to use aggressive chemicals or abrasives, as vapors can be absorbed into the products, and scratches will become a breeding ground for bacteria. Warm water with the addition of citric acid is best suited for disinfecting the drainage inside the chamber.
If after cleaning the holes the problem with water or ice does not disappear, it may not be a matter of contamination; and a malfunction of the defrost sensors, heating element or damper. In this case, simple cleaning will not help; diagnostics of the electronic board or replacement of components will be required.
Is it possible to seal a hole in the refrigerator with ordinary electrical tape?
No, ordinary electrical tape is not intended for low temperatures and a humid environment. It will peel off quickly, and the glue can become toxic. For repairs, use only food-grade silicone or special epoxy compounds for refrigerators.
Why is very cold blowing from the hole in the freezer?
This is the normal operation of the No Frost system fan. If the flow is too strong and freezes the food, check the temperature settings. Perhaps the “Super Freeze” mode is set or the temperature is simply too low.
What to do if water flows onto the floor through the hole in the back wall?
Most likely, the drainage channel is clogged or the drainage tube is frozen. It is necessary to defrost the refrigerator (for at least 12-24 hours) and clean the drainage with warm water. If the problem recurs, the defrost sensor may be faulty.
You can see yellow foam through a hole in the plastic - is this dangerous?
The polyurethane foam (insulation) itself is not toxic when frozen, but it is hygroscopic. It absorbs moisture, stops holding heat and can become moldy. Such a hole must be sealed.