Fridge Leaking Water? Here’s Why It Happens and How to Fix It

Noticing water pooling under or around your refrigerator? A leaking fridge is one of the most common appliance issues we see in Charlotte homes. Whether it’s a small puddle or a steady drip, water leaks can cause damage to your floors and signal bigger problems inside your appliance.

At Just Call Appliance Repair, we’re here to help Charlotte, Matthews, Concord, and nearby homeowners stop fridge leaks fast. Our experts diagnose the source and fix leaks from any make or model, so your kitchen stays dry and your food stays safe. Schedule your fridge leak repair today.

Common Reasons Your Fridge Is Leaking Water

1. Clogged or Frozen Defrost Drain

In most frost-free refrigerators, especially Whirlpool, GE, and Samsung models, there’s a small drain hole at the back or bottom of the freezer section. This drain carries away water from the automatic defrost cycle. Over time, food particles or ice can block it. When that happens, the melted frost has nowhere to go and starts pooling inside the fridge or dripping underneath it.
You might notice water collecting at the bottom crispers or a slow leak that shows up near the front corners of the appliance. This is by far one of the most common reasons we get called out for leaking refrigerators in Charlotte.

2. Damaged or Worn Door Gasket

That rubber seal around your fridge door, called a gasket, is what keeps warm, humid air from sneaking in. If it’s torn, cracked, loose, or simply not sealing tightly anymore, it can lead to condensation that drips down the walls or puddles on the floor.
This is common in older LG, Frigidaire, and Maytag fridges, or in homes where kids (or adults) tug on the doors often. If the gasket’s not sealing all the way around, the temperature gets thrown off, your fridge works harder, and water forms where it shouldn’t.

3. Misaligned or Cracked Drain Pan

Every modern fridge, including models from KitchenAid, Amana, and Whirlpool, has a drain pan beneath it. During regular defrost cycles, water drips down into this pan and evaporates on its own thanks to heat from the compressor.
But if the pan is cracked, out of place, or not sitting level, that water can spill out instead. It’s usually a slow leak that forms underneath the appliance and is easy to miss until you notice floor damage or slipping hazards.

fridge leaking water charlotte

4. Leaking Water Supply Line

If your fridge has an ice maker or water dispenser (especially in side-by-side or French-door units from Samsung, GE, or Whirlpool), then it’s connected to your home’s water line. Over time, those thin plastic or braided steel tubes can wear out, come loose, or even crack from being pushed too far against the wall.
You might spot water under the fridge or behind it. In some cases, the leak is slow enough to go unnoticed until mold or water stains appear on your baseboards or flooring.

5. High Humidity or Constant Door Opening

During Charlotte’s hot and humid summers, even a perfectly working fridge can start to collect excess moisture inside. This happens more often with top-freezer models or older fridges without humidity sensors.
If the door is opened frequently, especially if you’ve got kids in and out of it all day, warm air gets pulled inside. That air condenses on cold surfaces, turning into drips that collect under drawers, on glass shelves, or on the fridge floor.

How to Stop Your Fridge from Leaking Water

Before you call for service, here are some simple things to check:

Clear the defrost drain – Look for clogs or ice that might be blocking the drain hole. Use warm water or a pipe cleaner to clear it.
Inspect the door gasket – Make sure the seal is clean and fully sealing. Replace if you see cracks or damage.
Check the drain pan – Pull out and empty the drain pan, and make sure it sits correctly without cracks.
Look for leaks in the water line – Inspect tubing behind the fridge for cracks or wet spots.
Minimize how often you open the door – Especially during humid days, to reduce moisture build-up.

If you’re still seeing water or the leak gets worse, it’s best to schedule professional repair before it causes damage to your kitchen floors or appliances.

Charlotte’s Trusted Fridge Leak Repair Experts

At Just Call Appliance Repair, we’ve helped hundreds of Charlotte area homeowners stop fridge leaks quickly and affordably. We work with all major brands like Whirlpool, Samsung, LG, GE, Maytag, KitchenAid, and more.

No matter the cause of the leak, we’ll find it and fix it so you don’t have to worry about water damage or food spoilage.