A suddenly discovered puddle on the kitchen floor or water flowing down the inside wall of the refrigerator LGcan ruin the mood of any owner. This is not just an aesthetic problem, but also a signal that there is a malfunction in the moisture removal or air circulation system. Ignoring this symptom can lead to food spoilage, failure of electronic components, and even flooding of neighbors below.
In this article we will examine in detail the main reasons why liquid accumulates in refrigerators of the South Korean brand LG . We will look at both simple faults that you can fix yourself in 15 minutes, and complex breakdowns that require the intervention of a specialist. Understanding the operating principle of your model - be it a classic drip system or a modern one Total No Frost - will be the first step to a successful repair.
Malfunction of the condensate drainage system
The most common reason for the appearance of water in the lower part of the refrigerator compartment is a clogged drainage hole. In models with a drip system (Drop System), the moisture formed on the rear wall should flow into the groove and go through the tube into a special tray above the compressor. If this path is blocked, the water has nowhere to go and overflows over the edge of the gutter directly onto the shelves.
The clog is often caused by crumbs, pieces of packaging, or mold that grows in the warm, moist environment of the drain tube. To check the condition of the system, you need to inspect the hole on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment. It is usually located in the center at the bottom.
For cleaning, you can use a soft wire, a bottle brush or a special flexible brush. You need to act carefully so as not to pierce the thin walls of the plastic tube. After mechanical cleaning, it is recommended to rinse the canal with warm water from a syringe or syringe.
- 🧹 Take a long brush or soft wire to clean the canal.
- 💧 Rinse the drainage with warm water with the addition of a small amount of soda.
- 🔍 Check if water flows into the receiving tray (a characteristic sound is heard).
- 🧼 Treat the hole with an antibacterial agent to prevent fungal growth.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to use sharp metal objects (knives, knitting needles) to clean the drainage, as there is a high risk of damaging the evaporator sealed in the wall of the refrigerator.
If after cleaning water continues to accumulate, the problem may lie in a bend or freezing of the tube itself, which requires a more in-depth diagnosis of the defrosting system.
Failures in the operation of the No Frost and defrost system
In refrigerators LGequipped with technology No Frost or Smart Inverter, water should not appear on the shelves in principle. All moisture is removed outside the working chamber and evaporates. If you see ice on the back wall or puddles inside the freezer, this indicates a failure in the defrost cycle.
The main culprits in this case are the defrost heating element, defrost sensor or timer. If the heating element burns out, the frost that freezes on the evaporator does not melt during a pause in the compressor operation. Over time, the “fur coat” grows, blocks the air circulation channels, and the next time you try to defrost or simply melt large masses of ice, the water does not have time to go into the drainage and flows out.
Diagnostics of these components requires the use of a multimeter to test the circuits for an open or short circuit. Often the problem lies precisely in the defrost sensor, which does not give a command to turn on the heater.
How to check the defrost heating element?
To check, you need to get to the evaporator, remove the heating element and ring it with a multimeter. The resistance of a working heating element is usually from 200 to 400 Ohms. If the device shows infinity, the element has burned out and requires replacement.
It is also worth paying attention to the condition of the fan. If it is stopped by ice or faulty, cold air does not circulate, which leads to local hypothermia and the formation of condensation, which flows down.
- ❄️ Check the back wall of the freezer for the presence of a “coat” or ice.
- 🔌 Ring the defrost heating element and sensors with a multimeter on resistance.
- 🌀 Make sure the fan is spinning and not blocked by ice.
- 📉 Check the integrity of the wiring going to the defrost system.
⚠️ Attention: Before checking the electrical components, be sure to unplug the refrigerator. Working with live electrical wiring is dangerous to life.
Mechanical damage and wear of seals
Extraneous moisture may enter the refrigerator from the outside. If the rubber door seal LG wears out, cracks or loses elasticity, warm, moist air from the apartment penetrates into the chamber. Upon contact with cold surfaces, this air instantly condenses, forming a large amount of water.
You can check the tightness in a simple way: clamp a sheet of paper between the door and the body around the entire perimeter. If the paper falls out or is pulled out without force, the seal does not fit tightly. The cause may also be a misalignment of the door due to loose hinges or too heavy loading of the shelves on the door.
In some cases, water appears due to mechanical damage to the internal plastic. Cracks in the condensate collection gutters or in the shelves themselves can direct the flow of water to places not intended for this purpose.
| Type of damage | Symptoms | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Wear of the sealant | The refrigerator does not hold the temperature well, there is ice around the perimeter | Replacing the sealing rubber |
| Door misalignment | Gap in the top or bottom of the door | Adjusting the hinges |
| Crack in the gutter | Water flows along the back wall, bypassing the drainage | Sealing or replacing the part |
| Contamination of the seal | Sticky coating, loose fit | Cleaning with soapy water |
To restore the elasticity of the seal, sometimes it is enough to thoroughly wash it with warm water and soap and lubricate it with silicone grease. If the rubber becomes stiff or torn, you will need to order an original spare part for your model LG.
☑️ Checking the tightness
Improper operation and placement of products
Often the reason is trivial and lies in the actions of the user himself. Placing hot or warm foods in the refrigerator LG leads to a sharp jump in humidity. The cooling system does not have time to quickly condense and remove such a volume of steam, as a result of which water settles on the walls and products.
It is also important to position the products correctly. If food or containers are placed close to the back wall of the refrigerator, they disrupt the natural air flow. In areas of stagnant air, the temperature drops below normal, causing excessive formation of frost, which then melts and turns into a puddle.
Do not forget about the load level. An empty refrigerator operates unstably, while an overloaded refrigerator operates with increased load. It is optimal to fill the volume by 60-70%, leaving space for air circulation, especially in models with Multi Air Flow.
- 🍲 Cool hot dishes to room temperature before installation.
- 🥦 Step back 2-3 cm from the back wall when arranging food.
- 🚫 Do not cover the ventilation holes inside the chamber.
- 🌡️ Make sure that food does not block the temperature sensors.
Another nuance is frequent and prolonged opening of doors in conditions of high humidity in the room (for example, when cooking or drying clothes in the kitchen). The refrigerator sucks in moist air, which immediately precipitates.
Clogging or displacement of the drainage tray
Water may accumulate not inside, but under the refrigerator. In this case, the problem often lies in the tray located above the compressor at the lower rear of the unit. In normal operation, water from the drain tube drips onto the hot compressor and evaporates. But if the tray is displaced, cracked or overfilled due to high humidity in the room, water will leak onto the floor.
Sometimes the drainage tube jumps off the mount and does not direct water into the tray, but flows past. This often happens after transporting the refrigerator LG or moving it for cleaning. To check this, you need to carefully move the refrigerator and remove the lower rear panel.
It is also worth checking whether the tray itself is not clogged with dust and animal hair, which prevents the normal evaporation of moisture. During the hot season, evaporation may not keep up with the influx of water, and the tray overflows.
⚠️ Attention: When inspecting the rear panel, be careful: there are electrical wires and hot condenser tubes there. Do not touch them with your hands while the compressor is operating.
The influence of room temperature and voltage drops
Refrigerators LG designed to operate in a specific climate class, which is indicated in the technical data sheet (usually from +10°C to +32°C or +43°C). If the refrigerator is located in an unheated garage or, conversely, on the direct sunny side of the stove, the moisture removal system may not work correctly.
If the room temperature is too low, the oil in the compressor thickens, and if it is too high, the load on the cooling system increases, which leads to increased condensation formation. In addition, voltage drops in the network can cause malfunctions in the electronic control module, which regulates defrost cycles.
If the module is “buggy”, it may not turn on the defrost heating element on time or, conversely, keep it on for too long, which leads to either icing or leaks.
To protect equipment, it is recommended to use a voltage stabilizer, especially in the private sector or old houses. This will extend the life of the compressor and electronics.
- 🌡️ Observe the operating temperature specified in the instructions.
- ⚡ Use a surge protector or voltage stabilizer.
- ☀️ Do not install the refrigerator near heat sources.
- ❄️ Avoid installing in unheated rooms in winter.
What to do if the voltage surges?
If you notice that the refrigerator often turns off or makes strange sounds when the lights are turned on, check the voltage in the network. Unstable power supply is a common cause of failure of the control board.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the water in the LG refrigerator have an unpleasant odor?
An unpleasant odor of water indicates the development of bacteria and mold in the drainage system or tray. Stagnant water is an ideal environment for the proliferation of microorganisms. It is necessary to completely disinfect the drainage hole and tray using special means or a soda solution.
Is it possible to use an LG refrigerator if it is leaking?
You can only operate the current refrigerator for a short time until the cause is determined. Constant moisture can cause short circuits, corrosion of metal parts and spoilage of food. If the water flows heavily, it is better to turn off the device before repair.
How often do you need to defrost a No Frost refrigerator?
The technology No Frost implies automatic defrosting, so there is no need to specifically turn off the refrigerator for defrosting. However, once a year (or when a smell/ice appears), complete defrosting for 24 hours is recommended for hygienic cleaning and rest of the equipment.
Why did the water appear again after a couple of days after defrosting?
If after complete defrosting and cleaning the problem returned quickly, then the reason is not in the amount of ice, but in the malfunction of the components (heating element, sensor, blockage). Simple defrosting in this case gives only a temporary effect.