Is water pooling in your refrigerator? Here are the possible causes and how to deal with them
At least once you will have found water pooling in your fridge. Unfortunately this is not a good sign, as it means something is wrong. The important thing is to try to quickly find out what the problem could is and resolve it promptly.
Unless it's due to defrosting, water pooling in your fridge is not normal. Let's see what can be done:
Why is water appearing in the refrigerator?
Lords Electrical/Youtube screenshot
The main cause for this problem is a blocked drain hole in the refrigerator. If you have asked yourself what the little hole at the bottom of the fridge is for, now is the time to find out.
There is a hole in the fridge that serves as a condensation collector and drainer. Not all fridges have this (most modern models don't need it thanks to the no-frost function), but many still do. If this becomes blocked due to an accumulation of dirt and food residue, it must be cleaned out/unblocked.
Additionally, positioning food incorrectly inside the fridge can cause water to appear. If containers, paper bags, packaging, etc touch the back wall of the fridge, more condensation will be created and will, over time, cause the drain hole to become blocked (or obstructed).
How to avoid this problem...
To prevent excess water from being created in the refrigerator, constant maintenance is necessary. The important thing is to keep the drainage hole clean and prevent dirt and food residue from blocking it. We must also remember to periodically check the door seals. If they they are faulty, the contrast between the low temperatures inside the fridge and the higher temperatures externally, will cause an abnormal amount of condensation to form.
This maintenance can also prevent unpleasant odors developing in the fridge. Stagnant, dirty water can cause an unpleasant stale smell to arise. In this case, you not only have to clear the drainage hole, but, once emptied, the entire fridge should be wiped down with a mixture of water and vinegar. This treatment should resolve any unpleasant odor problem quickly.
And if the problem persists...
If, despite taking the above steps, the problem persists, then it is time to call out a refridgeration specialist to come and inspect/repair your fridge.
