Some Side-by-Side Refrigerator models have a defrost drain hole located on the interior back wall of the freezer compartment. 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.
On most modern refrigerators the drain tube and hole are usually located inside the refrigerator at the bottom in the back. To protect the hole, there may be a panel made from plastic that can be removed with a screwdriver. Once it is removed you'll be able to see the drain tube and drain hole.
Under normal circumstances, this water runs down a drain hole and collects into a tray at the bottom of the appliance, close to the compressor. The heat from the compressor then usually evaporates the water inside the tray. However, if the drain hole is blocked, the water will collect inside the fridge.
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.
Remove the food and any crisper drawers. Mop up any excess water and remove the drain hole cover if yours has one. Use the unblock tool that came with your fridge (or else a pipe cleaner, straw or cotton bud) to remove the food and debris build-up. Replace the cover and turn your fridge back on.
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.
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.
Water leaking inside your fridge is usually due to excess condensation or a minor blockage. Sometimes, it might be a leaking container or a sign to clean your fridge and water dispenser. Although a minor concern, excess water in the refrigerator can be annoying.
Blocked defrost drain
Modern refrigerators have a defrost mechanism to prevent ice build-up. During the defrost cycle, the melted water should drain out through a small tube. However, this tube can become clogged with food particles, debris, or ice, causing water to back up and pool at the bottom of the fridge.
Fresh food compartment defrosting takes place automatically every time the refrigerator turns off. Melted frost water drains from the cooling coil into a trough on the rear wall of the cabinet and then down the corner to a drain tube at the bottom. Water flows into a pan behind the grille where it is evaporated.
In most vehicles, the A/C drain line is under the vehicle's passenger side, between the cabin side of the firewall and the evaporator. The A/C drain line lets condensation leave the evaporator housing in the dash.
Blockages are most likely to occur in the defrost drain, with the drain hole usually located at the bottom-back of the freezer.
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.
Humidity is generally caused as warm, humid air enters from outside every time you open the door. As the air cools, it dumps more water inside your fridge. Always close the fridge door as quickly as possible after opening it. Leaving the door open allows warm air to enter and increases the possibility of condensation.
There's no straightforward answer to this. Many advise defrosting once a year. But this works if your use is minimal, the area around your fridge is cool, and the frost buildup is less. But, if you often use a refrigerator and live in a humid place, then you will need to defrost multiple times.
Waiting it out is the safest method of defrosting a fridge, but it takes the longest time — anywhere from several hours to more than a day, depending on climate and ice thickness. All you have to do is prop the door open and wait, checking in periodically to clean up water as it collects.
To ensure you achieve clean water lines in the fridge, you must flush them. Using a small funnel, slowly pour two to three cups of distilled white vinegar into the tube that leads to the water dispenser. Let the vinegar sit in the reservoir for five to ten minutes to thoroughly clean the system.