Why Is My Refrigerator Leaking Water? (Clogged Defrost Drain & OLP Relays)

Where is the Water Coming From?

Finding water pooling inside the vegetable drawer or leaking onto your kitchen floor from a refrigerator is alarming. In frost-free double-door refrigerators, water leaks are usually related to the automatic defrost cycle rather than a plumbing problem.

The Blocked Defrost Drain Tube

Every 8 to 12 hours, a frost-free refrigerator runs a defrost cycle where a heater turns on to melt ice off the evaporator coils. This melted water is supposed to flow down a small drain tube into a pan at the bottom near the compressor, where it evaporates. If food debris or ice blocks this tube, the water overflows directly into the freezer and fridge compartment.

Defrost System Electrical Failures

If the defrost timer, bi-metal thermostat, or thermal fuse fails, ice will accumulate on the evaporator coils, blocking airflow. The fridge stops cooling, and ice melts slowly, leaking out from the seams.

Technician's Solution

Our technicians use pressurized water and steam to flush the drain tube, clearing slime and mineral blocks. We test the resistance of the defrost heater and bi-metal sensor using a multimeter to ensure they cycle correctly.