Where can I find a defrost drain?

Author: Mrs. Edythe Rogahn IV  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Models with a defrost drain hole located on the back wall of the freezer just up from where the floor slopes up to the back, in the center. Models with a plastic panel held in place by a screw. Remove the screw and panel and the drain hole will be visible. If a drain hole is not visible, service is required.

Where is the refrigerator drain tube located?

It is just up from where the floor slopes up to the back wall, in the center. In some models it is behind a plastic panel along the back wall which is held in place by a screw. You can remove the screw and panel and the drain hole will be visible.

Where is the drain hole in my freezer?

Locate the Drain Hole: The drain hole is typically located at the back of the freezer compartment, near the bottom. It may be covered by a plastic or rubber plug.

How do I keep my defrost drain from freezing?

A defrost timer turns the heater on for a duration of about 25 minutes two or three times a day to prevent the evaporator coils from frosting over. A defrost control board will also turn the heater on but will regulate it more efficiently, preventing the refrigerator defrost drain from freezing.

Where does the water go when a refrigerator defrosts?

Fridges have drain pans where water collects as melted water is removed during the defrost cycle.

How to unblock your fridge drain hole | by Hotpoint

Where can I find the defrost drain on my refrigerator?

Locate the Drain Tube: Typically, the drain tube is found at the back of the fridge or freezer compartment. Consult your refrigerator's manual if you're unsure.

How to unclog refrigerator defrost drain?

Cleaning Defrost Drain Tube

You can flush out the drain hole with a solution made of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 2 cups of hot tap water. Use a meat/turkey (bulb) baster to squeeze the solution into the drain hole and flush out the drain tube. When clear, you will hear water running down into the drain pan below.

How to find a fridge drain hole?

Where to find your fridge's drain hole. When condensation forms in your fridge, that water runs down the drain hole into a tray at the bottom of the appliance. The hole is usually behind the salad drawers, though this varies depending on your fridge's make and model.

How do you unclog a frozen drain?

How to Safely Unfreeze a Drain Pipe
  1. Warmer Interiors. Turn up the thermostat. ...
  2. Hot Towels. Soak towels in hot water, drape them over and around the frozen pipe, and slowly move them back and forth. ...
  3. Hot Water. ...
  4. Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Salt Water. ...
  5. Space Heater. ...
  6. Hair Dryer. ...
  7. Heating Pad.

Why is ice forming in the bottom of my freezer?

Ice can form on the bottom of freezers for a few reasons. The most common are humid air entering the freezer, faulty door seals and poor ventilation.

Do all freezers have a drain hole?

This depends upon the Refrigerator or Freezer being a self-defrost model. The appliance must have the self-defrost feature in order to have a defrost drain tube.

Where is the defrost drain on an upright freezer?

On upright models with a defrost drain (Figure 1), remove drain plug on the inside floor of the freezer by pulling straight out. To access external drain tube on models with a base panel, first remove the two screws from the base panel. Locate the drain tube near the left center under the freezer.

How to clear a clogged refrigerator water line?

If the water line is clogged, it can usually be cleaned out by running vinegar and baking soda through the line. Clogs are likely to occur if there is a flaw in the water line or if the water filter is not updated.

Will pouring hot water down a drain unfreeze it?

Probably the most popular and safest pipe-thawing option is to use hot water. Wrap and secure heavy towel or burlap bag around pipe to concentrate and hold heat against it.

How do you tell if drain is clogged or frozen?

5 Signs You Have a Frozen Sewer Pipe
  1. No Running Water. If you turn on the tap on your sink and nothing comes out, or it comes out in a slow trickle, it's a sure sign you have a problem with your plumbing. ...
  2. Visibly Frosty Pipe. ...
  3. Strange Sounds. ...
  4. Sewage Smells. ...
  5. Leaks.

How do you unfreeze pipes quickly?

Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water.

How do you unclog a defrost drain?

Use a hair dryer to thaw all the ice out and locate the drain hole. Pour hot water down the drain hole until it's draining properly again. Once it's draining properly blow compressed air down to make sure it's clear.

How do you check a refrigerator drain pan?

Pull on the drip panel to see if comes out of the fridge.

Look inside the back panel or kick panel to find the drip pan, which should look like a small rectangular tray. Grab the drip pan with both hands and try pulling it out without tipping it over.

Do fridges auto defrost?

While most refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers on the market today have automatic defrost controls, some models are available with manual defrost. Automatic defrost refrigerators work by heating the interior refrigerator coils at regular intervals.

Where is my fridge drain hole?

Usually, the fridge drain hole can be found at the base of the back wall, with ridges leading down towards it to guide beads of moisture. It is usually found as a small opening that is located at the back of your fridge's freezer compartment, normally behind the salad drawers.

What can I use to unblock my refrigerator drain hole?

Remove obstructions

Use a thin, flexible object like a pipe cleaner or a small brush to dislodge any debris or ice blocking the drain hole. Take care not to push the clog further into the drain.

How do you remove defrost from a refrigerator?

How to cancel defrost in fridge?
  1. Find the refrigerator's control panel. ...
  2. When you've found it, check for the defrost button or setting. ...
  3. Continue pressing and holding the button for a few seconds, or until you get a buzzing sound or notice the indicator light turning off.

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