Frigidaire Refrigerator Leaking Water On Floor? (We Have A Fix)

Ryan Womeldorf
by Ryan Womeldorf
You can almost always rely on a Frigidaire refrigerator, but it can be concerning when it leaks water on the floor. A Frigidaire fridge can leak water for several reasons, such as a faulty water inlet valve or a clogged defrost drain. Whether it be the water tank assembly or the water filter head, let’s take a look at the 5 unique causes and solutions to a Frigidaire fridge leaking water.

While it might seem like all refrigerators are basically the same, there are different brands that have their own unique features. Frigidaire is one of the brands that tend to be among one of the most popular in the industry.

Inspect the water tank assembly for cracks or leaks and repair or replace it if it is damaged. Tighten the water inlet valve to prevent the Frigidaire refrigerator from leaking water on the floor. Flush your defrost drain with hot water if it is frozen so that water doesn’t leak out.

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Water Leaking onto the Floor

The thing about leaks is that no matter how big or small, they can have far-reaching impacts. Even the smallest leaks can, over time, warp and damage your kitchen flooring. Not only that, but your fridge will not be working properly, and other issues could develop over time.

A golden rule with leaks is to address them as soon as you notice them. You never know what kind of damage that leaks will do and nipping the problem in the bud sooner rather than later is the best bet. For Frigidaire refrigerators, here are the five most common culprits for water leaking onto the floor.

Issue 1: Water Tank Assembly

One of the most common reasons for leaking underneath of your Frigidaire refrigerator is due to the water tank assembly. Start by inspecting the tank assembly to look for leaks. Keep in mind, however, that some of the leaks can be quite small and difficult to find.

1. In the event of a leak. Should you find a leak, no matter how small it may be, replace the water tank immediately. Don’t attempt to repair it. Glue won’t stick to the tank since it is made up of plastic and you’ll just end up having a bigger mess that is now comprised of glue, too.

2. Have the proper tools. When looking for leaks, it can help to have some kind of magnifier and a flashlight available. This will give you what you need to locate even the smallest of leaks and get rid of that leaking problem before it damages your floor.

Issue 2: Water Inlet Valve

Another common culprit in Frigidaire refrigerators is the water inlet valve. This valve opens up to provide water to both the dispenser as well as the icemaker. When the water inlet valve has a loose fitting or is cracked, water will leak out from the valve instead of flowing into the aforementioned icemaker and dispenser.

Take a close look at the water inlet valve to look for any cracks. A common cause for leaks here is that it hasn’t been tightly secured to the main water supply. If the issue persists even after tightening, there is likely a crack somewhere in the valve. Replace the valve entirely and the issue should dissipate.

Issue 3: Water Filter Housing

You are likely beginning to notice a trend here. The components that distribute water throughout the fridge are the most likely culprits. If one of the aforementioned components aren’t at fault, check the water filter housing for any potential cracks.

Like the tank assembly, it can be difficult to spot and locate small cracks. If you notice a crack of any size, the housing will need to be replaced. Also like the tank assembly, repair is not an option. Using an adhesive will only create more of a mess to clean up and will still result in leaking from the water filter housing.

Issue 4: Water Filter Head

Like the other components listed above, the water filter head can potentially become cracked. The main difference between it, the tank assembly, and the water filter housing is that there is a seal on the water filter head.

It is possible that the seal could be missing or become torn, so while you are looking for cracks, check out the seal as well. Should you notice any cracks in the water filter head itself, replace the entire thing. Likewise, if you notice that the seal is missing or damaged, try replacing that and seeing if it fixes the issue of leaking water under your fridge.

Issue 5: Freezing or Clogged Defrost Drain

The last of the common reasons for your Frigidaire refrigerator leaking water is the defrost drain. When it becomes frozen, the water can then overflow the trough, resulting in water that drips down through to the bottom of the compartment. Sooner or later, that water can then leak down onto the floor, causing warping and other damage.

Fixing a Clogged or Frozen Drain

1. Check for clogs or freezing. Check the defrost drain to see if it is frozen or simply clogged. If it is the former, thaw it out and it should be fine.

2. Flush with hot water. Either way, make sure that you flush out the drain using hot water to both thaw it and clear it of debris.

3. Check elsewhere. If the leaking persists after you have checked on the defrost drain, the culprit is likely elsewhere in the fridge but at least you know where it isn’t.

Other Reasons for Leaking

While those are some of the more common occurrences leading to the leaking of water underneath your fridge, they certainly aren’t the only ones. Troubleshooting the issue is a great way to check on the condition of your fridge’s various components and can reveal information that you may not have expected.

Having said that, here are a few more reasons that your Frigidaire refrigerator may be leaking water underneath and onto your flooring.

Water Filter

It should go without saying that the most likely causes of leaks in your Frigidaire refrigerator are tied to the water distribution system. So, if the other components listed above are not the cause for your leaks, the next logical place to check is the water filter.

When leaks stem from the water filter, the most likely explanation is that the filter may not be fitted properly to the filter housing. The best way to check to see if the leak is emanating from the water filter is to remove it entirely and then reinstall it to ensure that it is seated and fitting properly.

Drain Pan

Just about any self-defrosting refrigerator, Frigidaire included, will come equipped with a drain pan. The purpose of the drain pan is to collect any of the water that melts off of the evaporator coils. To properly evaporate all of the water that is in the drain pan, the condenser fan will blow warm air coming off of the condenser coils across the top portion of the drain pain.

Since the condenser fan is responsible for evaporating the water that populates the drain pan, you typically don’t have to empty the drain pan. When the drain pan becomes cracked, water can leak out while the defrost cycle runs.

Where is the Defrost Drain located in a Frigidaire Refrigerator?

On your Frigidaire refrigerator, you can locate the drain hole on the back wall of the freezer. It will be just above the point where the floor slopes up to the back, generally in the central portion of the refrigerator.

You should notice a plastic panel that is held in place by a single screw; some panels may have a couple of screws holding it in place. When you unscrew and remove the panel, you should be able to see the drain hole.

It is important that the drain hole be clean and free of debris or frost. When these obstructions occur, it can lead to water backing up and leaking underneath your fridge.

How Do You Unclog a Freezer Drain Line?

One of the main culprits for leaks on a Frigidaire refrigerator is the freezer drain line. From time to time, ice can build up in the freezer drain, preventing the water inside from completely draining, eventually leaking out onto the floor.

Unclogging the drain will prevent that buildup and, as a result, the leaks that you may be seeing on the floor.

1. Cut the power. The first thing that you need to do is to unplug the fridge/freezer unit. Make sure that you take out any objects that may be potentially blocking your access to the drain hole (refer to the section above for how to find the drain hole).

2. Clear the debris. Using a screwdriver, you should be able to clear out any debris or ice that is clogging the drain line. Even if it looks like all of the debris and frost has been cleared out, don’t stop there.

3. Warm water. Use a basting syringe filled with warm water to shoot water into the drain hole.

Using that method will allow you to clean out the frost and debris that could be sitting just below the surface. This will help your drain line to work more effectively and should make preventative maintenance a little easier going forward.

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Do All Refrigerators Have Drip Pans?

As mentioned previously, the drip pan is meant to collect condensation that runs off of the evaporator coils. Refrigerators, even Frigidaire models, can vary in design, but you will more often than not find the drip pan at the bottom of your fridge.

Accessing it is easy, though you might have to move the fridge off of the wall first. This way, you can check to see if your drip pan is causing the leaking on your floor or if it is potentially damaged. When in doubt, check the user manual for your fridge to find the location of the drip pan and how to access it.

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Ryan Womeldorf
Ryan Womeldorf

Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan.

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