The sudden appearance of water on the kitchen floor is a situation that frightens any owner of household appliances, especially if there is expensive laminate or parquet in the kitchen. When a refrigerator leaks Ariston from below, this often indicates a leak in the circuit or problems in the condensate drainage system that may have accumulated over a long time. Ignoring this problem can lead not only to damage to the floor covering, but also to failure of the compressor or electronics due to a short circuit.
The reasons why a puddle forms under the unit can vary from a banal displacement of the drain tube to a complex breakdown of the evaporator hidden behind the back wall. The owner often notices the problem too late, when the water has already spread throughout the entire kitchen area. Understanding the structure of your model and consistently checking the main components will help you quickly localize the problem and make a decision: whether to fix it yourself or call a technician.
It is worth noting that equipment Ariston, like any other brands, is subject to natural wear of rubber seals and clogging of channels, especially if the unit has been in operation for several years without preventive cleaning. In this article we will analyze in detail all possible scenarios for the appearance of moisture, ranging from simple solutions that do not require tools, to complex system repairs No Frost.
Primary diagnostics and external factors
Before grabbing a screwdriver or looking for a service center number, it is necessary to conduct a thorough visual inspection and exclude factors not related to the breakdown of internal components. It often turns out that the refrigerator is working properly, but the water appeared due to external circumstances. First of all, check whether the unit is installed correctly: if it is not level, condensation may not flow into the tray, but past it.
Pay attention to the temperature in the room and the frequency of opening the doors. If your kitchen is hot and you often leave the door open, the moisture removal system may not be able to cope with the amount of condensation that forms. The water simply overflows the drainage groove and flows out, bypassing the drain hole.
It is also worth checking the tightness of the rubber seal around the perimeter of the door. If the seal has cracks or does not fit tightly to the body, warm air gets inside, which sharply increases the amount of condensation. Replace the seal if you notice mechanical damage, since it is key element thermal insulation.
⚠️ Attention: Before carrying out any diagnostic work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Working with electrical appliances in conditions of high humidity (a puddle on the floor) carries the risk of electric shock.
Clogged drainage system and gutter
The most common reason why a refrigerator leaks Aristonis a banal blockage of the drainage hole. During operation, food particles, crumbs, mold and mucus get into the drain, which over time form a dense plug. Water stops flowing into the evaporator and begins to overflow over the edges of the groove, flowing onto the floor.
To fix this problem, you will need a thin flexible wire, a bottle brush or a special soft brush. Carefully insert the tool into the drain hole located on the back wall of the refrigerator compartment and make a rotational motion, trying to push the clog deeper or catch it. After mechanical cleaning, it is recommended to rinse the channel with warm water using a syringe or a small watering can.
Also inspect the plastic groove itself where the water flows. Microcracks or chips could form on its surface, due to which moisture leaks out, bypassing the drain. If the plastic is damaged, you can try to seal it with food-grade silicone, but it is better to replace the entire element by ordering an original spare part for your model Ariston.
☑️ Cleaning the drainage
It is important to understand that regular drainage cleaning is a preventive measure that should be carried out at least once every six months. This will avoid not only leaks, but also the appearance of an unpleasant odor inside the chamber, which often accompanies stagnant water and the growth of bacteria in the tubes.
Problems with the evaporator tray and compressor
If the drainage system is clean, but water continues to accumulate under the refrigerator, the problem may lie in the evaporator tray, which is located above the compressor in lower rear part of the unit. During operation, the compressor heats up, and water from the drainage, entering this tray, must evaporate. However, if the tray is misaligned, cracked, or overfilled, water will drip onto the floor.
You can get to this unit by moving the refrigerator aside and removing the back protective panel (usually secured with latches or screws). Inspect the plastic container: it should be strictly horizontal and fit snugly against the tubes. If the tray is misaligned, adjust it. If cracks are visible at the bottom, they can be repaired with epoxy glue or the tray can be replaced with a new one.
Another reason for leaks in this area is improper installation of the water drainage tube. If the end of the tube is not immersed in the tray or lies next to it, condensation will drip past. Make sure the tube is aimed exactly at the center of the container. Also check whether air access to the compressor is blocked, since overheating can disrupt the process of natural evaporation of moisture.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| Water drips rhythmically | Drainage clogged | Cleaning with a brush |
| Puddle under the compressor | The evaporator tray is displaced | Correct installation of the tray |
| Water inside the chamber walls | Frosting of the back wall | Defrosting 24 hours |
| Constant flow of water | Crack in the groove | Replacing the groove or sealing |
Why can the tray crack?
The plastic of the evaporator tray becomes brittle over time due to constant temperature changes and exposure to heat from the compressor. If you cleaned the back wall with aggressive chemicals or a hard brush, the risk of microcracks increases significantly.
Malfunctions of the No Frost system
In models Ariston with the system No Frost the cause of leakage often lies in a violation of the defrost cycle. In such refrigerators, moisture should not form in the form of puddles, as it evaporates automatically. If you see water, it means that the melt water drainage system is blocked by ice or snow.
Most often, the drainage channel freezes in the freezer chamber or in the transition area between chambers. The ice plug prevents melt water from flowing into the tray, and it overflows over the edge of the internal groove, flowing out through the bottom of the door or technical holes. Visually, this may look like abundant frost on the back wall or in the corners of the chamber.
To diagnose this malfunction, the refrigerator must be completely defrosted within 24 hours. This will allow the ice to melt and clear the channel. If after turning on the water appears again after 1-2 weeks, the problem lies deeper: the defrost heating element, timer or defrost sensor may have failed. These items require replacement by a qualified technician using a multimeter to test the circuit.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to break off the ice with a knife or sharp objects. Damage to the evaporator or drain tube inside the housing will lead to freon leakage and expensive repairs, which may not be economically feasible.
The system No Frost is complex and requires precise adjustment of thermostats. If the sensor is “stuck” in the “frozen” position, the heating element will never turn on, and the ice will build up endlessly, blocking the air channels and drainage. In this case, the refrigerator may even stop freezing, since cold air will not circulate.
Mechanical damage and wear of tubes
Although modern refrigerators Ariston are quite reliable, mechanical damage to the internal tubes often occurs. This can happen during inaccurate defrosting (if you picked the ice), during transportation, or due to vibration, which over time grinds the plastic elements.
Particular attention should be paid to the place where the drainage tube exits the housing. If the plastic became brittle, it could burst right at the base. In this case, water will flow out immediately, without reaching the compressor tray. For repairs, it is often enough to shorten the tube (if the length allows) or extend it with a piece of hose, securely securing the connection with a clamp.
Also check the integrity of the internal plastic panel of the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment. Sometimes, as a result of thermal expansion or an accidental impact with a grocery basket, a crack forms in the plastic, along which water flows out of the groove. Such defects can be temporarily repaired with silicone sealant, but it is better to order a new panel.
When you need to call a specialist
There are a number of situations where self-repair is not only useless, but also dangerous. If after completely defrosting and cleaning the drain the problem returns, most likely a professional diagnosis of the electronics or freon replacement is required. The technician will be able to determine exactly which sensor in the system No Frost is failing.
Calling a specialist is required if you hear gurgling, hissing, or see that the refrigerator is working continuously, trying to gain temperature. This may indicate a refrigerant leak, which requires soldering the pipes and charging the system with special equipment. It is impossible to perform these operations on your own.
In addition, if the water has a strange color or smell, this may indicate that oil from the compressor or other technical fluids has entered the drain. This situation requires immediate intervention from a service center to prevent compressor breakdown.
What to do if water appears immediately after installing a new refrigerator?
If the new one drips immediately, check whether you have removed the transport locks and whether the legs are aligned correctly. Also make sure that the refrigerator was not turned on immediately after delivery - it needs to sit for several hours so that the oil flows into the compressor. Ariston drips immediately, check that you have removed the transport locks and that the legs are positioned correctly. Also make sure that the refrigerator was not turned on immediately after delivery - it needs to sit for several hours to allow the oil to drain into the compressor.
Is it possible to use the refrigerator if it leaks a little?
It is not recommended to operate the current refrigerator. Water can get into electrical contacts, cause corrosion of metal parts of the housing and damage the floor covering. In addition, constant humidity is an ideal environment for mold.
How often do you need to defrost a No Frost refrigerator?
Technically, the system No Frost does not require defrosting, but manufacturers recommend doing this preventatively 1-2 times a year for hygiene and checking the operation of the drainage. This extends the service life of the unit.
Why does it leak only in hot weather?
In hot weather, air humidity is higher and the refrigerator works more intensely. The drainage system may not be able to cope with the increased volume of condensate, especially if it is partially contaminated. In this case, more frequent cleaning of the drainage helps.
Does the quality of water affect the clogging of the drainage?
Yes, hard water with a high salt content contributes to the faster formation of scale and plugs in the drainage pipes. If you have hard water, you will have to clean the drainage more often.