GE Refrigerator Leaking Water on the Floor - How to Clean a Drain Line

A huge problem that you could experience is your GE refrigerator leaking water on the floor. This trick works for most refrigerators leaking water inside the cabinet, as its usually caused by an ice build-up or obstruction in the drain line. If you suspect that your GE refrigerator is leaking from the bottom, then this video will help you.
In the video, I show you how to remove the evaporator panel cover on a GE refrigerator, what parts you're likely to see such as the evaporator coils and defrost heater, then show you how to clean a refrigerator drain line out. This is a cheap, easy fix that can save you a HUGE amount of money on a service call, and save a lot of headaches for the cost of some plastic hose and a soda bottle.
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[@OHmyspencer16]

I had this happen to mine at the cabin. I unplugged it and put down towels because I was leaving. When I came back a week later, I called the repair guy. He was too busy to come. He suggested that I plug it back in and watch for new leaks. He thought possibly the problem was cleared because it had been unplugged for a week. So, I cleaned up the water inside, and then plugged it in. It has worked perfectly since that day, nearly 3 years ago.😊 By the way, I had emptied the entire refrigerator before I left for that week. I lost no food.

[@ty88]

10/10 video. Perfect length, script, reading, examples, helpfulness, everything. This is what KZbin was made for lol

[@jimcaufield6877]

Thank you! Your video saved me $1600 replacing my otherwise functional fridge. In my case, the water bottle trick didn't work and I had to open up the back access panel to remove/clean the drain tube. But in the end the leak got fixed for zero dollars. A really useful video!

[@slimpimpins5585]

8 I'll

[@jeremiahsharpreviw]

You could also try a shop vacuum next time and see if it pulls it through

[@dcrook232323]

Steps solved 🤞 a near 5 yr, every 15 - 45 days problem with our ~2012 GE 3-door bottom freezer design where it would freeze an 1/8" thick sheet across the entire bottom 30" or so interior freezer floor and then leak a pool under the front left roller wheel. Figured the problem was thermistor or board related so we'd remove the bottom two freezer slide trays and chop out the frozen skating rink. I HAD looked at our single drain tube in the back, rinsed it out but NOT flush it. Additionally, in our case our drain tube has an odd black rubber coupling nipple that holds the 9" hard plastic drain in place with/to the 1/2" long integrated male plastic. Problem was this black soft rubber coupling w/ it's two tiny holes(??) WAS seriously clogged, the see-through drain tube always looked clear. So....watched several of your great vids and discovered the above! Much appreciated! Kudos.

[@Dennzer1]

💘

[@lisacupp7871]

Yeah!! It worked!! My Kenmore side-by -side was exactly like this EXCEPT the. Drain line was black, (and therefore required verifying by blowing through, with a helper to make sure there was clear flow). Thank you so much for the way to fix a problem plaguing us for over a couple years now 😳!!!

[@earlraymartin9613]

Bingo! That was the issue. I put a mimi wet dry vac on the end of the drain and you could hear the blockage 'pop' out!! THANK YOU!

[@dctaurica]

I'm not very handy and would prefer someone else to do the work, but you made this so easy that I could even manage to do it. Thank you.

[@marielynn3902]

It worked! Thanks for the video. I used a bent straw instead of tubing and it worked; :)

[@KevinNeustadter]

Also check to make sure the defrost tray is intact. I had this happen intermittently for at least 2 years and had repair people out and they couldn't figure it out. I reached down and felt the tray and the entire corner was off. Probably started as a crack when it was installed at the factory and eventually popped off with vibration. While waiting for the part, I took the metallic duct tape (not the standard duct tape that is fibrous) and taped the corner so it wouldn't leak. I got the part and installed it and it's been great for at least 10 years. I think sometimes when they install parts at the factory, they can be in a hurry and can damage things like this tray when installing it. It probably leaked so slowly that it didn't show up in the factory until I bought it later. Tray was pretty cheap, and I could have probably left the old tray in place with the metallic tape (that tape sticks like crazy and stays in place) and not replace the tray with a new one.

[@patrickflohe7427]

BAHAHAHA That’s not metallic duct tape. It’s called speed tape, to cover holes or repairs on aircraft.

[@KevinNeustadter]

@@patrickflohe7427 OK then 3M foil tape. Foil tape used for taping your heat and air ducts (maybe it can be used to cover holes or repairs on aircraft -- but you said that, not me)

[@MortarMike]

I promise you KZbin Don't Miss 😂😂 thanks for this 👌🏾👌🏾

[@terryf5131]

Yes!!!! Awesome vid...you saved me. My 20 year old Kenmore has had an on going leak for some time.. frustrating..once I saw the dry pan..it all made sense... didn't have a water bottle...but I thought about it...I found a squeezable little bulbas ear cleaner in the bathroom..it fit right in.. cleared it!!! Boom!! Thanks so much! After seeing so many reviews on how cheap many brand new ones are..this was a golden video to save my old one.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Nice! I am so glad it worked. Its an easy fix to a terrible problem for sure. We have to clear systems weekly like this.

[@SanzL1]

The problem is that they make crap now. I have a 33-year-old fridge, a Whirlpool, that has never needed a repairman or had us go nuts trying to fix it ourselves. It is now on its last leg. So I’m in the market for a new fridge. Given all the complaints that people have about appliances these days, I am truly dreading this purchase.

[@SophisticatedTeacher]

Blame it on US imports.

[@jimfer56]

Ben-- I have had to clean this drain tube twice a year. Your Water bottle trick makes it easy and is more effective. Thanks.

[@TLD48]

This video totally helped us fix our problem!! Thank you!

[@flippingforreal109]

Thanks so much I now understand what's wrong with my Fridge and now to get someone to fix it.

[@tylerezell7456]

Thank you! It always amazes me what simple solutions I find on youtube!

[@randomuncle9768]

Dude I truly wish you can make all of the appliance repair videos for every channel on KZbin right now

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

I'm trying to!

[@anaberthaochoa8241]

Thanks

[@joynelson4291]

This just saved me about 500 dollars thank you so much.❤

[@carmenfiori3963]

Thanks, I was able to do it. I cleaned out the rear drain tube but it didn't work this time so I had to do the water bottle trick as well, after unplugging the fridge to thaw the big chunk of ice at the bottom of the freezer. Good thing I didn't have to remove the inner panel as it has an opening with the drain hole visible and accessible.

[@clintonkim5075]

bottle pressured water is an awesome invention! Thank you so much!

[@Sunshine33333]

For all of you 62 year old women out there that do not have all the tools, gadgets and he ability to take apart a freezer or fridge, I simply emptied my freezer, put down a towel on the floor and plugged in a small space heater (always available at your local thrift shops for about $5) and placed it in front of my freezer. Everything will magically melt it took me about two hours to do this but was by far SO much easier than dismantling my fridge. When I no longer saw any water in the freezer or on the floor, I knew the process was done thawing out. Good luck to all!!!!!

[@foxyang7634]

thanks a lot! have different GE fridge, but same issue and same concept to fix! your video helps a lot!

[@TheEarnhardts]

Ok, single lady mom here. I've had a leak for a while now but didn't want to have to take off work for a repair man so I've just been keeping a towel on the floor 🤦‍♀️. I'm going to attempt this fix. I'm a little nervous what I'm gonna find in there, but hope this works!

[@jjs777fzr]

Same. And if you were in my area I’d help!

[@TheEarnhardts]

Well thanks! And I was able to successfully fix the leak!! Gotta love KZbin!!

[@belkysosorio7985]

Same i have same problem like you, is he miami area?

[@belkysosorio7985]

Did you find help? I need this men😒

[@TheEarnhardts]

@@belkysosorio7985 I was able to fix it myself. Just do what he says in the video, you can fix it. It's really not hard.

[@-Mark_F]

Great video, thank you!

[@jasonwilson83]

Thank you! After watching a few videos that only addressed defrosting and flushing from the front, your advice helped me find a clog in the hose in the back the the fridge.

[@jsandidge1]

Thank you so much for posting this video. It worked perfectly for me.

[@naturallyopie]

Nice brief walkthrough, thank you! I am curious though: when the drained water reaches the pan: what happens to it next? It seems like letting it just sit in there wouldn’t be a good idea

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

It evaporates. The condenser fan in the back will circulate it outof the pan

[@KENFEDOR22]

that's the role of the evap pan. Worth inspecting every year or so to make sure it evaporates.

[@honeyofoats5619]

@@bensappliancesandjunk I need help. I have a GE tfx27pfsbbb refrigerator. I have a bad smell coming from the fridge and freezer. I clean everything in the refrigerator and freezer with soap and vinegar. I put baking soda to absorb the smell which it did pretty well but, still have a hint of stong smell to it. What should I do?

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

@@honeyofoats5619 check behind panels and ice maker. One time we had a chicken breast hidden behind a panel... smelled awful

[@Growmap]

@@bensappliancesandjunk Hi Ben. I love your videos. Do you not work on freezers? I was hoping to find a video on the most reliable and efficient chest freezer brands similar to your amazing best washer brands video.

[@adamclifford1278]

Great vid!!Very useful!Thanks!

[@FootballClipzMAX]

Thank you

[@brianbradburn]

Believe me, it's not as easy as this guy makes it seem.

[@FaheemRather11]

Agreed

[@isailugo7783]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏

[@omarperez563]

How about if you check the drain line first on the back of the fridge and make sure its not clogged before you start taking the whole unit apart if the drain line its clogged you will have water leaking out from your fridge

[@hartzfarms1486]

Fjb

[@danhoyt9961]

There is only one place water could come from there. it won't leak unless the condensate drain is blocked and if you looked at the tube in the back first all you would see is a tube not the blockage.

[@deluxeassortment]

It's not usually the drain line itself that freezes. It's usually the drain opening, which can only be accessed from the evaporator drain pan

[@patrickflohe7427]

@@danhoyt9961 I poured water into the upper collector pan, and it immediately came out from the tube going down the back of the fridge, but it also leaked into the bottom of the fridge cabinet. What the hell???? It’s definitely not blocked.

[@patrickflohe7427]

@@danhoyt9961 I don’t necessarily believe that, because my drain line down the back isn’t blocked. Water goes down the tube, but also leaks into the bottom of the fridge cabinet.

[@dannylay7965]

I was about to go spend $2000 on a new Whirlpool, I have the same GE side by side with the same issue. Hopefully this will make it last to the 20 year mark.

[@lunarvue]

great job on this video.

[@ferchofarias6635]

Very helpful video, Thanks

[@sonhuynhtien4744]

so touching for an excellent video

[@ubatool]

I always use a turkey baster with HOT water in it.

[@carmenmariacortesmarin2664]

I'm having the same problem with my whirlpool refrigerator. How do I fix it? Thank you. Edit: it's a side by side with ice maker and water in the freezer section. It's a Type: 25MSSA. Thank you again.

[@samuelserio6973]

Get tired breaking the ice thought maybe ice was falling in the hole . So I put a body putty spreader to block any chunks but still freezes in the Collection tray under the elements

[@nindes]

What happened to that bit of dirt that floated to the top of the see through pipe at thr back of the fridge, doesn't that re block up?

[@avikau]

very useful...... thank you

[@seangholipour3884]

Hi Ben, how did you remove the tray with sprocket? Thanks

[@twri9885]

I have a fridgaire side by side that is having problems. The freezer is warming up and no longer freezing in the matter of 4 days. The fresh food side was fine. But now seems warmer.

[@samuelserio6973]

It's the defrost element most likely its froze because if the frig ain't cold the freezer fan blows the cold that way some its behind the back panel also a thermostat that resembles an old blinker stat out of an old car that can go bad mine was not working an I moved it around was not getting correct temp problem fixed my issue is the drain pan in the freeze keeps freezing an the drain. Is clean!🤷‍♂️

[@deejohnson5163]

Should you remove the clog that was in the line so it doesn't settle back in the same place, hence clog ???? Great vids.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Yes, remove it. Sadly I thought when I published the video I had mentioned that and seemingly didn't. If you can remove the tube and Clea. It, that is optimal

[@deejohnson5163]

@@bensappliancesandjunk Thanks for your help.

[@kathyfann]

Thank You

[@nathancampbell06]

Just what I needed. Gracias.

[@hiwas6711]

It worked. Thank you.

[@hajaagadir7462]

Thanks for your

[@floydlooney6837]

Good thumbnail image, I'd have never noticed the leak without the pointing, lol.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Honestly, I struggled with this one. How do you explain a leak out of the front of the fridge? I took a few pics for the thumbnail with just the water, and it was hard to understand the concept so I was like... I better point at it myself. So I went back to my shop, put some water on the floor, and pointed towards it, then tried to kneel down to get myself in pic and point to the water, and that made it more difficult, so I rolled with this. Thanks for the confirmation its a good concept LOL!

[@newleaf1534]

😂😂😂😂

[@504ksh]

Excellent video. Explained beautifully

[@BigZBeatZ503]

Thank you so much

[@andylowe2725]

Thank you!

[@amazingheroart]

THANK YOU

[@thuhoaioanthi509]

Character In the video It's great, I like it a lot $$

[@chowing08231]

Thank you, but a warning out there, the back has sharp edges..... ps. I am typing with one cut opened thumb.....

[@warpath42o57]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@smoothtouchpremiumdetailing]

Premium, thank you

[@steverooth1581]

What size hose did you use for flushing out the drain?

[@floydlooney6837]

Do all fridges have removable interior panels? I have never noticed that.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

I'd venture to say 98% do. I've seen some really cheap ones that either the panel is hidden somewhere obscure, or its a 1pc set up which means if there's a real problem, you're screwed.

[@smrtzttspanishenglishtutor67]

Please show me how to clean and disinfect your sink. I have the same issue.

[@SajidHussain-lj5mr]

Wery nise innformation 👍

[@mytravelvlog4593]

nice video

[@21gonza21]

Is there a way the heater went bad, why would that drain get clogged?

[@Virglee-hy1rt]

Hi Ben- in this video you refer to the Samsung fridge leaking and said there is a video in it. Can you help me find it? I have a leaking Samsung and it is probably a ice build up, but want to see how you fix the problem.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZu4k4GuYr9gmqc

[@MrBeeradb1]

That was very helpful info.Thanks.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chisox551]

@@bensappliancesandjunk I have one coming from both. A drawing is wet as heck.

[@sweetandsimple.]

Can i leave the fridge unplugged to let ice melt off wherever it's causing a blockage? Would that achieve the same thing?

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Unless it's a physical blockage like foam or plastic yes it'll work

[@joydarling314]

Do you have to turn off the power and order to do this

[@dealman3312]

If your GE side by side had a broken heater and it was all frosted up. You hair dryered all the frost down the drain hole. Could the pan hold all the water?

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Should, yes

[@dealman3312]

@@bensappliancesandjunk just noticed my basement ceiling leaked 🤔 btw thank you for your fantastic video

[@middletonkarateacademyfitn3634]

Why does this happen? Will it happen again? Overloading food in freezer drawer?

[@williamlewis4379]

So when the water goes down to the drain pan, how does the water dissipate? Won't the drain pan eventually fill up with water and overflow onto the floor? Thanks

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

It evaporates. The defrost cycle runs every 24hrs or so and the fan on the back will evaporate it away

[@williamlewis4379]

@@bensappliancesandjunk Good to know and thank you for your quick reply

[@nickv4073]

The pan under my fridge is overflowing. So the water is making it to the pan. What could be the problem?

[@stephen7657]

How about turning in off for a day or two leaving doors open?

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

If there's a blockage, its unlikely to solve it

[@a.m.9357]

I have a slightly different problem. I get no leak or excess water inside the fridge/freezer. What I do get is a lot of water in my drain tray/pan at the back (outside) of the fridge. It fills up and I am having to drain the water from the tray every 2 weeks. What could be causing that please? Thanks.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

You're likely getting excess buildup of moisture on the coils inside of the refrigerator. This would happen if there's a constant source of moisture hitting the evaporator systems. Likely, it'd mean the doors on the refrigerator are being left open too much too often, or there's a constant gap somewhere on the doors (or drain tube) allowing moist air to constantly get into the refrigerator, eventually icing up on the coils.

[@a.m.9357]

@@bensappliancesandjunk That's a good answer. Thanks for that mate. Appreciate it. I'll look into it and see if I can find anything.

[@capitalelectrical3275]

Does it matter if water didn't dispose from the fridge???

[@jordanewud1882]

Do I need to unplug the refrigerator first?

[@abimbolaadesina1309]

Definitely

[@Mandy_39]

Does EVERY fridge have a drain hole? I have a simple upper/lower fridge & freezer, just the normal fridge with no ice maker. I took the backing off the freezer but couldn't find any hole to save my life 😢

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

If it has the silver evaporator coils behind the backing, then yes

[@TroyQwert]

I watched a number of videos on this problem: leaky fridge. The solution is the same: clean the drain. And blame the fridge making industry for doing nothing to eliminate leakages.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Its impossible to mandate they eliminate leakages. You have a choice in the design: Either you make the path ways very wide that allows water to flow easy and derbis pass through and then have a massive source of moisture to get back into the fridge and freeze the coils up, OR restrict the flow through the use of various styles of duckbills. If you can come up with a better choice, then I suggest you share it with the manufacturers.

[@TroyQwert]

@@bensappliancesandjunk, look, I don't want to argue and concentrate on thit topic. But think of this: human mind made AI possible. And you tell me humans are unable to engineer a fridge without the leakage? But as I read your comment I found that my and your brain work in the same direction. I just think we try to improve the drain. But we should think of a new idea of a fridge. Unforch, I am not an engineer. Are there engineers capable of making a leak free fridge. I have no doubt. As for now they just simply work for other companies. But look, they come home every day, like me and you, and open their fridge...

[@charltonheston969]

If it freezes you have to take your refrigerator apart every other day ,fun

[@abdiadenEST86]

I walked into my kitchen and noticed a pool of water by my fridge freezer. Opened the fridge door and noticed it had stopped cooling. Pulled it out to see anything obvious and cannot. Thought I might have had a blockage like in this video but did a test and noticed the water I poured in all came out and drained like it should. Coils are not obviously dirty or blocked either. The enclosed part of my freezer cools so I’m using that like a fridge at the moment. Help please!!!!

[@dji1tommy29]

Since my fridge is very full I think I may try and just gently blow backwards up the drain hose with some compressed air regulated down to a few psi.

[@candlepower100]

You can take the drain tube off and clean it. The drain tube is on the back of the refrigerator someplace, you will have to find yours. Most come off by gently pulling down on them.

[@samuelserio6973]

Ok that's clean but 2days later its froze again seems like water dont drain down fast enough before it refreeze what now to do anyone

[@WhittyPics]

No, not my problem. I got a new GE frig that was leaking from the time they brought it in the door yesterday. I pointed it out to the installers and they said it was the old line that dripped when they removed it. There is something internal for the icemaker

[@groth3395]

there is (are) another video(s) on here that show the common culprit - a small rubber "vent" tube that was poorly engineered. The rubber part clogs up and doesn't allow water to seep through and it backs up and freezes..the "fix" is to take that black rubber piece off, cut a larger opening reinstall and voila.....it's the little things that cause us the biggest issues. $2000 refrigerator and a $1 poorly engineered part that you won't know anything about until you step in water in front of your fridge...and most will pay some clutz $200 to "fix" the fridge....

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Yep, stuck duckbills are common, which is why I showed the derbis at the very end with the clear tube. Crazy to think how bad they engineer that piece.

[@richmellow3315]

@@bensappliancesandjunk 🚨THE PERMANENT FIX!!!🚨 (To prevent the drain from getting clogged with ice, in the first place, causing the problem) "You need to install a, Thick heavy Gauge Copper wire🧷🛒📎🖇 or (A Wire clothes hanger) into the drain hole 9 or 12 inches. Then bend the wire into a Hook, and clip it directly Onto the "HEATING ELEMENT/The Dark tube running under the cooling finns" (3:35). :Explanation "When your refrigerator Cycles through the (AUTO DEFROST MODE) The Heating element will get hot, ♨️ And the residual heat will travel down the "Copper Drain Wire" and this keeps the drain hole just warm enough for all the water to completely exit the freezing section of the refrigerator into the warmer fridge section, thus preventing any buildup of ice to form."💎 Good Luck! "After I did this to mine, I haven't had to deal with a leaking refrigerator problem since."kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXfUe6uDmaacbrc

[@hastabyebye]

Thank you both for the extra info. Extremely important I would imagine.!

[@mgtowstanleyzoltanov9808]

Remove all items....insanely simple

[@ericmason2645]

Has anyone one had the drain hole frozen?! I looked at mine today and seemed to be frozen. Any help would be great!!!😊

[@elwoodanderson4149]

My r f shocks. Me when it’s running. Could it be a bad ground

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

Sounds like it

[@etherealrose2139]

No such thing as a bad ground. You have a hot wire energizing your refrigerator frame. That needs to be addressed. If it's low enough or no EGC Is provided then it wouldn't open the circuit

[@rebeccakephart5563]

👍🏼

[@majdo328i9]

but where that drained water goes?

[@ghorbanalirazmjou5593]

متشکرم

[@boxfancb]

Servicing a fridge with this issue can cost up to $150

[@q7jdwomfvkbj74]

😂200$$

[@langent4653]

At my witts end on this one. My fridgiair top freezer type leaks water from the top of the fridge area. I blew the drain hose clear from the bottom up and it was clear into the tray on the top of the fridge part as water was splashing out of it. But the water wont go down the tube from that tray and that unit has NO screws to remove it from the top like others I have seen in videos. Dont want to break it but cant seem to find anyone who knows how to remove this tray/ vent from the top of the fridge compartment... uuugghhh. Thanks if anyone knows before I just rip it off and duck tape it back on lol

[@jlady58]

Next video: Cleaning your utility sink.

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

We're moving to a new location with a much nicer sink, so we aren't really investing much in this one at the moment, ha ha.

[@CitizenPerkins]

🤣🤣🤣

[@bloopers0522]

Was the freezer dripping water at all in the back

[@brie1226]

This is what mine is doing, did you find a solution?

[@Zisjejk]

My French door whirlpool is leaking non stop I’m about to throw it out So annoyed right now

[@jerrybarnette3864]

Where does the water go that goes into the pan in the back???

[@bensappliancesandjunk]

It evaporates

[@hyonsmith7130]

@Bens Appliances and Junk Yes, unless the pan has a crack in it, like my Kenmore Elite did 2 years ago. I noticed the pan vibrated when the motor ran and over the years, it caused a vertical crack in one inner corner. So the water went down to the floor before it could evaporate. I fixed the crack with epoxy glue and then added some glue to the bottom of the pan to prevent it from vibrating like before. No problems at all now for 2 years. 😀

[@judahappliance]

Or you could use a turkey baster

[@deejohnson5163]

That's how some people have got pregnant. Be careful, lol.

[@chipsweek7361]

My fridge leaked because the cheap ass condensate pan was too thin!

[@patrickflohe7427]

-Too thin????

[@kobil316SH]

Bro I don't have any of these tools

[@chasepotter2376]

Anyone else pissed that they even have to remove shelves for this bullshit.

[@patrickflohe7427]

BAHAHAHA Don’t be a baby.

[@user-wl7st8ld3w]

N O HELP. TEFER RYE SAY D TO A P A Y DEPT ! ! !

[@patrickflohe7427]

Switch to decaf.