If your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking on the floor, this could be caused by an issue with the water line, defrost drain, or even the inlet valve.
Refrigerators have many benefits aside from just keeping your food fresh and cool, and some models even have additional convenient features.
However, if your Whirlpool refrigerator is leaking on your floor, your refrigerator will turn into an inconvenience and it could even damage your floors.
Fortunately, there are a few common causes for this leak issue that you can investigate and fix to prevent it from happening again.
Benefits of refrigerators
Having a refrigerator in your home is a great way to keep produce, leftovers, condiments, and beverages fresh and safe to consume for as long as possible.
If you have a newer, modern refrigerator, it may even be one of the most energy-efficient appliances in your home.
These newer refrigerators can also include features on top of their effective and efficient cooling capabilities, such as innovative and adaptive designs, refrigerator-freezer combinations, or ice and water dispensers, and more.
Whirlpool refrigerator leaking water on floor
Although these features can expand the functionality of a typical refrigerator and make it much more convenient and practical to use, they can also bring about more issues.
Whirlpool refrigerators are no exception to this rule. One common issue that Whirlpool refrigerator owners experience is that their refrigerators start leaking.
Besides the fact that it is a lot of effort to clean up when your refrigerator has leaked and messed up on your floor, it can also damage your floor, and even your kitchen cabinets, over time.
This is why it is important to understand the reasons why your Whirlpool refrigerator could be leaking, so that you can solve this issue and prevent the refrigerator from messing on your floor again in the future.
Some of the most common reasons that experts and owners have found for why the Whirlpool refrigerators leak water on the floor can be summarised in the table below as follows:
Reason for Whirlpool refrigerator leaking water | Explanation |
Leaky refrigerator water line | A leak in the water line, including in the inlet hose, fitting, or water supply hose, could be causing this water to spill on your floor instead of into the refrigerator, as it should |
Clogged refrigerator defrost drain | If the drain hose for your refrigerator or freezer is clogged, the refrigerator cannot defrost properly and this moisture may leak out of the refrigerator and onto your floor |
Faulty water inlet valve | If this valve is cracked or otherwise damaged, water could leak from this site and onto your floor instead of flowing to the refrigerator, as intended |
Since you will be working with an electrical appliance and water, it is always safest to unplug your unit from the power supply before you start investigating the cause of the leak or try to fix it.
What to do if a leaky water line is causing your Whirlpool refrigerator to leak
The water line in your Whirlpool refrigerator is responsible for distributing water throughout the entire refrigerator and freezer system.
There are several key points along this line that are common causes for a leak from your Whirlpool refrigerator and onto your floor, including the following:
Key point along the water line | How to fix an issue at this key point |
A damaged water inlet hose | Replace the hose |
A loose hose fitting | Tighten the fitting at the supply line and the refrigerator |
A faulty water supply line | Check the supply line for cracks or any other signs of damage |
What to do if a clogged defrost drain is causing your Whirlpool refrigerator to leak
The defrost drain in your Whirlpool refrigerator and freezer is the component that is responsible for draining the water that forms when the refrigerator automatically defrosts.
When this drain or the hose is clogged, the water will build up and leak onto your floor, since it has no other way of being released.
It can be helpful to consult your owner’s manual to find this defrost drain so that you can fix this issue. You may need to unscrew some bolts to access the drain. You may also need hot water to flush the drain and unclog it.
What to do if a faulty inlet valve is causing your Whirlpool refrigerator to leak
The inlet valve on your Whirlpool refrigerator opens and closes to allow water to flow to the unit. When this valve is faulty or damaged, it can cause a leak at the back of your refrigerator and onto the floor.
You need to replace this valve if you notice any signs of damage or dripping water from it.
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