A suddenly discovered puddle in the kitchen is always an unpleasant surprise, especially when the source of water is the refrigerator. If you notice that your LG leaks from below, this is a signal that the moisture removal or cooling system is not working correctly. Ignoring the problem can lead to damage to the floor covering, swelling of the laminate, or even a short circuit if water gets to the electrical components.
In most cases, the reason lies in a banal blockage, which can be easily fixed on your own without calling a technician. However, there are also more complex technical malfunctions associated with the system No Frost or the operation of the compressor. Understanding exactly how the water circulation inside the unit works will help you quickly diagnose the problem and save on expensive repairs.
In this article we will analyze in detail all possible scenarios, from simple operating errors to serious breakdowns. You will learn where to look for a blockage, how to check the serviceability of the heater and what to do if water accumulates under the vegetable boxes. Timely diagnosis is the key to the long service life of your equipment.
Clogged drainage system is the most common cause
The main reason why a refrigerator LG may leak under the door or in the lower part of the chamber is a simple blockage of the drainage hole. In models with a defrosting system, moisture from melting frost flows into a special groove and goes through a tube into a container above the compressor, where it evaporates. If a blockage occurs in this path, the water simply has nowhere to go, and it flows out.
Most often, a blockage is formed due to crumbs, pieces of food or mold that develops in a damp environment. Drainage tube has a small diameter, so even a small object can block the flow of liquid. Visually, it looks like this: water stands in a groove on the back wall or flows directly onto the shelves of the refrigerator, flowing down.
To fix this problem, you do not need complex tools. It is enough to take a soft wire, a cotton swab or a special brush for cleaning bottles. Carefully insert the tool into the hole and make several circular movements, trying to break through the plug. After this, it is recommended to pour a little warm (not hot!) water into the drainage to wash away any remaining contamination.
☑️ Checking the drainage system
It is worth remembering that regular prevention allows you to avoid such situations. Cleaning the drainage hole every 3-4 months guarantees that the moisture removal system will work uninterruptedly, and the water will not go over the edge.
Malfunctions of the defrost and defroster system
If cleaning the drainage did not help, and the refrigerator continues to leak, the problem may lie deeper - in the automatic defrosting system. In units LG with technology No Frost or Total No Frost frost on the evaporator periodically melts thanks to the heating element (heating element). If this process is disrupted, the ice can build up excessively and, when melting, form too much water that the drainage cannot handle.
Often the cause is a failure of the defrost timer or the heater itself. In this case, an ice “coat” freezes on the evaporator in the freezer, blocks the air channels, and during rare defrost cycles, huge masses of water rush down. The drainage system simply does not have time to pass such a volume of liquid, and it pours out over the edge of the evaporator pan directly onto the bottom of the refrigerator compartment.
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the back wall in the refrigerator compartment is covered with a thick layer of ice or a snow coat, this is a sure sign of a malfunction of the defrost system. Operation in this mode can lead to compressor failure.
For diagnostics, it is necessary to completely defrost the refrigerator. Leave it turned off for at least 24 hours (preferably two days) with the doors open. If after turning on the problem disappeared for a couple of days, and then returned with the same force, it means that the defrost cycle does not start or is interrupted.
Why does ice block the drainage?
An ice plug can form directly inside the drainage tube at the exit from the freezer. This happens if the defrost heating element heats poorly or the tube is poorly positioned. The water simply freezes before reaching the pan, and creates a blind plug that cannot be broken through with a brush without completely defrosting.
Displacement or overflow of the water tray
Another common, but often overlooked cause of leaks is problems with the receiving tray, which is located above the compressor in the lower rear part of the refrigerator. Water from the drainage tube drips into this pan and evaporates from the heat of the running motor. If the tray is displaced, cracked or overfilled, water will leak onto the floor.
Displacement often occurs when cleaning behind the refrigerator or during transportation. It is enough to touch the unit when washing the floor so that the plastic container slides to the side. In this case, the drops will pass by the tray and flow directly onto the floor under the refrigerator. It's easy to check: move the refrigerator aside and look at the lower part at the back.
Also, the tray may overflow. This happens if:
- 💧 There is very high humidity in the room, and more condensation forms than usual.
- 🔥 The compressor works intermittently or does not heat up enough to evaporate quickly.
- 🧊 You put a large amount of warm food in the refrigerator, which caused a lot of condensation.
If the tray is cracked (plastic becomes brittle over time), it will have to be replaced. As a temporary solution, you can put an absorbent cloth under it or use a sealant, but it is better to order an original spare part LG.
Deformation of the sealing rubber and incorrect installation
It would seem, what does the rubber band on the door have to do with it if water is pouring from below? However, failure of the chamber seal directly affects the formation of condensation. If the door seal does not fit tightly, warm, moist air constantly flows inside. The refrigerator tries to cool this volume, as a result, abundant condensation appears on the walls and products, which flows down in huge quantities. The door does not fit tightly; warm, humid air constantly flows inside. The refrigerator tries to cool this volume, as a result, abundant condensation appears on the walls and products, which flows down in huge quantities.
You can check the tightness with a simple test with a sheet of paper. Clamp the sheet with the door in different places around the perimeter. If the paper pulls out too easily or falls on its own, the seal in this place does not work. Often the rubber is simply contaminated with grease or crumbs, and it is enough to wash it thoroughly with soapy water.
The second reason is the incorrect angle of the refrigerator. In order for water to flow correctly into the drainage hole, the refrigerator doors LG must close on their own if they are tilted 45 degrees. If the floor is flat and the refrigerator is strictly vertical or tilted back, water will stagnate at the threshold of the chamber.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| Water under the drawers, ice on the back wall | Drainage clogged or defroster malfunction | Cleaning with a brush, complete defrosting 24 hours |
| Puddle under the compressor (rear) | Tray is displaced or overfilled | Adjust the tray, check the level humidity |
| Water flows out when the door is opened | The angle of the body is broken | Unscrew the front legs to tilt back |
| A lot of condensation on the products | The seal is torn doors | Replacing sealing rubber |
The legs are adjusted using a wrench or manually, depending on the model. It is necessary to unscrew the front supports so that the body tilts back. This will ensure gravity flow of water into the drainage.
Damage to internal elements and pipelines
The most unpleasant scenario is mechanical damage to the cooling system. If you carelessly defrost the refrigerator with a knife or sharp object, there is a risk of breaking the evaporator. In this case, gas (freon) begins to hiss from the hole, and subsequently water mixed with oil from the compressor may begin to flow inside.
Water can also appear due to cracks in the plastic body of the camera itself or the gutter. Plastic becomes brittle over time and temperature changes. If you find a crack in the plastic through which water is leaking, you can try to seal it with food-grade silicone or epoxy resin, but this is a temporary measure.
⚠️ Attention: If during a leak you smell a specific chemical odor or see oily stains on the water, immediately unplug the refrigerator and provide ventilation. This may indicate a refrigerant leak.
If the foamed evaporator is damaged (when the tubes are mounted into the wall), repairs require calling a specialist. It is impossible to independently restore the tightness of the circuit and fill the system with freon without equipment.
Prevention and operating rules
So that the question “why the refrigerator is leaking” no longer bothers you, it is important to follow simple operating rules. The equipment LG is reliable, but requires maintenance. The main rule is not to put hot or warm food in the chamber. Evaporation from them creates a colossal load on the system, which drainage may not physically cope with.
Regularly, at least once every six months, inspect the seals and clean the drainage hole. Even if there are no visible problems, preventative cleaning will take 5 minutes, but will save you from a flood. Also make sure that food does not block the ventilation holes on the back wall - this interferes with air circulation and leads to freezing.
If you notice that the refrigerator has started to work louder than usual or the power cycles have become more frequent, this may be a harbinger of problems with the defrost system, which will lead to leaks in the future. Do not ignore changes in the operation of equipment.
What to do if after defrosting water still flows?
If 24-hour defrosting did not help, most likely the problem is in the electronics (control module) or sensors. The refrigerator brain may not “see” that the evaporator is frozen and not turn on the heater. In this case, diagnostics with a multimeter is required and, probably, replacement of the defrost sensor or heating element.
Is it possible to use the refrigerator if it leaks a little?
For a short time - yes, if you have time to wipe off the water. Dry operation with leakage is dangerous. Water can get on electrical contacts, corrode metal parts of the cabinet, or cause the floor to swell. In addition, constant humidity is an ideal environment for mold.
How often should you clean the drainage hole?
The recommended frequency is every 3-4 months. If you have animals in your house whose fur can get into the appliances, or you often store food without packaging, you should clean it more often - once every 2 months.
Why does water flow out exactly when I open the door?
This is a classic sign that the water level in the drainage groove is raised above a critical level due to a blockage. When you open the door, the air pressure changes, or simply tilting the container causes water to overflow over the edge of the groove onto the shelf.