How To Unclog A Refrigerator Drain Tube Top Full Guide 2023

Paul Kahan

Do you feel worried when your refrigerator drain tube becomes blocked? But How To Unclog A Refrigerator Drain Tube if you don’t know what to do? To be sure that the problem is solved, take a look below at these methods.

Publican Anker provides the best signs to help you identify the problem and repair it quickly. Publican Anker also provides some solutions that may not be obvious to everyone. These measures are based on expert judgment.

Clogged Drain Causes Leaking Refrigerators

A clogged drain can cause a leaky refrigerator. This page will show you how to fix it and prevent it from happening again.

This is the leading cause of refrigerator leaks. Refrigerators that run can collect moisture in the freezer’s refrigeration lines.

This moisture freezes the coils. The refrigerator then defrosts every 6-48 hours to melt the ice formed during cooling cycles. The water flows into a drain and a pan, evaporating before the next defrost cycle.

If a drain is blocked, the water can return to your freezer. This water can then seep into the fresh food section and the floor.

If the water is not cared for, it will freeze in the air conduits and cause the refrigerator to stop cooling.

Side-by-side, bottom freezers and freezers stand-alone freezers will have water in their bottoms. Once the bottom has ice, water will escape through the door onto the floor.

Accessing The Drain

Access the drain first if your refrigerator is leaking due to a block. The method of accessing it will vary depending on your refrigerator type. To access the drain, scroll down and select the refrigerator model.

The drain will always be directly below the evaporator (freezer coils).

Side-By-Side

Side-by-side refrigerators have drains that are easy to access. Sometimes, you don’t even need to turn a screw. Look under the freezer door to see the drain.

If it isn’t, you must remove the cover for the evaporator (cover at the back of your freezer). You will need to remove the refrigerator’s evaporator cover.

Bottom-Freezers

Before you try to access the drain, disconnect the power.

Depending on the model, reaching the bottom freezers may not be easy. To access models with a drawer-type door, you’ll need to take the door off the freezer.

After removing the door, remove the cover for the evaporator. A drain will be visible under the coils once the cover has been removed.

Top-Freezers

The access to a drain of a top freezer varies depending on its model. Many top freezers made since 2000 have a solid running down the refrigerator’s liner. This means that there is no access to the freezer.

A drain is about halfway down on some models, but it’s also found on most older models.

The Drain Comes Out The Back

The trap is the most common clog point. If the trap is removed and it remains clogged, you can unclog it using a water hose. Some models have a cup at the top of the fresh food section. Sometimes this cup can clog.

No Drain Out The Back

You must remove the drain from your top freezer refrigerator if it doesn’t out. The evaporator cover must be removed from the back of your freezer. You should now see the drain underneath the evaporator.

Unclogging The Drain

A clogged can cause a refrigerator to leak. Once you reach a drain, you will need to unclog it. This is true regardless of the model of the fridge. Refer to the Top-freezer Out Back section if you have a blocked drain on your top freezer.

First, clear a drain of ice. It will almost always have ice on it if it is blocked. Use hot water to melt any ice buildup.

Unclog a drain after the ice has been removed. A turkey baser is the best and easiest way to unclog. Use hot water to fill the baser and force water down a drain until it flows freely.

A drain must be cleaned once water is flowing freely. Two things can be used to clean leaking refrigerator drains bleach and baking soda. Baking soda is my favorite.

Mix half the bleach with water, and pour two cups down the sink. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 3/4 water, and run approximately two cups down the sink.

Heat Exchanger

Sometimes, you may need to install a heat exchanger to clear a block. Although this is not usually necessary, it is worth considering if your drain clogs.

This can only be done if your refrigerator has a Calrod (metal) defrost heating element. If you are using a glass heater, do not attempt it.

Wrap a copper wire around the heater, then place the other end inside a drain. When the refrigerator is set to defrost mode, this will conduct heat to drain to melt any ice.

Rubber Duckbill On Clogged

A rubber grommet sometimes called a duckbill, is found in some refrigerators because of its shape. This can clog drains and cause them to back up. This design flaw is Whirlpool’s fault.

Whirlpool created a repair kit to fix it. Part W10619951. This kit includes a drain trap to replace the duckbill.

How To Unclog A Refrigerator Drain Pipe

Defrosted water is removed from refrigerators by a plastic tube. Water can leak into your fridge or freezer if the tube or hole gets clogged. It is easy to clean a drain pipe with a few tools.

Step 1 – Unplugging the Refrigerator

To avoid an electrical shock, first, turn off the power supply.

Step 2 – Locating the Drain Hole

Next, find the hole. The hole will be located at the bottom of your fridge. You can remove the crisper drawers to make them easier to find. You can always refer to your manual if you cannot locate the hole in your fridge.

Step 3 – Unclogging the Hole

You can unclog the hole by inserting a plumbing snake or creating your own. Push it up and then down. After you have done this several times, the snake can be pulled out of the hole.

Step 4 – Washing the Drain Hole

Pour about one teaspoon of baking soda down the hole. Next, add 2 cups of warm water from a basting needle.

Step 5 – Emptying the Solution From the Pan

Next, remove the fridge’s grill plate and locate the drain pan. This is where the drain pipe its contents.

Clean the drain pan from the baking soda solution. Use warm water and a clean cloth to clean the pan. It would help if you used vinegar to remove any mold or mildew.

After cleaning, you can remove and replace the grill plate. Now you can turn the fridge’s power back on.

Step 6 – Repeating the Process

Clean your drain every 2-3 months to prevent it from getting clogged again.

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FAQs

How Do You Clean a Refrigerator Drain Hose?

Combine a quarter of a gallon of warm water with one capful of chlorine. The mixture should be carefully poured into the drain opening. The grid should be removed from the fridge’s bottom. These can be held in place using bolts or screws.

Where is Defrost Drain on the Refrigerator?

The hole and defrost tube are located in the freezer at the bottom. Locate the tube near the bottom of the freezer and the hole. A plastic panel may cover the drain tube and hole.

What Causes Water to Accumulate in the Bottom of a Refrigerator?

The defrost tube is the most likely suspect if your fridge has water pooling at its bottom. The defrost tube is the one that carries water down to the pan, where it eventually evaporates.

The tube can become clogged with ice and debris, leading to water backing up into the fridge.

Why Does the Hole in My Fridge Keep Freezing?

Problem: Defrosting coils in refrigerators melt the ice by heating the water and letting it drip into a drain. It usually freezes when the water reaches the drain’s tip. Over time, water can build up.

Conclusion

It can be frustrating to repair refrigerator problems. It is possible to fix your refrigerator if you know the problem. This post also shows signs that your refrigerator is having problems. Good luck!