Cleaning the drain hole in the refrigerator

The refrigerator is an important kitchen appliance that maintains the freshness and quality of food. If your unit is collecting water under the bottom trays or on the floor, you can assume that the drainage in the refrigerator is not working.

A minor nuisance can become a factor in serious damage and failure of the engine. To eliminate the cause of the leak, clean the drainage installation.

Interior of moisture removal system

How it works

Modern installations require rare defrosting - 1-2 times a year. Nofrost technology allows you to defrost the unit once every two years. This operation is possible thanks to the drainage-evaporation system.

The condensation scheme of the freezer is a model where drops of water are collected by settling moisture on the back wall and flowing to the drainage tube.

The operating principle of the condensate removal system is as follows:

When the compressor is active, the refrigeration chamber is cooled;
The temperature in the food storage chamber decreases, the resulting steam condenses on the rear panel;
Condensation flows down the wall and collects in a gutter;
Through the tube in the refrigerator, moisture is discharged into the tray;
The condensate gradually drops into the engine, which ensures the operation of the compressor;
The compressor operating temperature is above room temperature, moisture evaporates into the external environment and does not require special collection.

Reservoir for collecting moisture
If the equipment is working properly, then the operation of the installation does not require intervention. In case of clogging and malfunction, leaks occur and the risk of engine failure occurs.

Important! The accumulation of liquid under the installation should not be ignored; this is a symptom of a serious breakdown.

How to clean the drainage hole if the blockage occurs at the outlet of the chamber. The liquid does not flow down the tube, but accumulates at the drain level. Ice forms on the back wall of the chamber, which increases the load on the compressor and shortens its service life. The temperature in the freezer may rise, which will lead to food spoilage and the possibility of poisoning.

nofrost technology is based on the same principles as installations with a drip collection system. Except that the drainage and evaporation system is located behind the rear wall, its parts are hidden from the consumer. To gain access to installation and maintenance, the rear panel of the device must be removed.

Main function of the system

Refrigerators with a “crying” evaporator have two chambers - a refrigerator and a freezer. Each chamber has its own separate evaporator. The refrigerator compartment uses a much smaller volume device, unlike the freezer compartment. It cools quickly and creates a temperature in the chamber of about 5 degrees.

Gradually the temperature rises, which leads to the melting of frost frozen on the evaporator. Drops of emerging water flow down the chamber wall into a container located under the evaporator. From the container, water flows to the compressor and evaporates. The result of this work is that the evaporator of the refrigeration compartment practically does not freeze. Defrosting must be done approximately once every six months in order for the freezer compartment to thaw.

If water appears under the bottom of the refrigerator or in the compartment for vegetables and fruits, the evaporator drainage system is most likely clogged. Water, instead of being discharged into a special compartment, enters the refrigerator chamber. When the drainage hole is clogged, water flows down the front of the refrigerator compartment and stagnates in the fruit and vegetable drawers.

You can clear the blockage using a regular syringe or a rubber bulb. The syringe must be filled with warm water and inserted into the drain hole. It is located under the evaporator in the refrigerator compartment. A stream of warm water can break through the resulting blockage. In most cases, crumbs and small particles of food get into the tube and clog it.

Sometimes water from a weeping evaporator can get inside the chamber if food comes into contact with it.

There are situations when water appears in the refrigerator due to the fact that the container into which it flows from the evaporator has moved or deformed. To eliminate the malfunction, the part must be replaced or reinstalled. To check the integrity of the drainage tube and bath, you must move the refrigerator and perform a visual inspection. If the container or drainage tube is slightly out of place, its position can be changed manually.

The user manual contains information about where the water drain tray is located. To replace it, you need to remove the front cover, and in some units, the bottom panel. If the integrity of the tray is not broken, it must be returned to its original position - most likely, the water under the refrigerator appeared due to its displacement. If the tray is broken, you can find a replacement at many hardware stores and reinstall it yourself.

The refrigerator has long become an integral attribute of any living space. At the same time, it is considered one of the most reliable household appliances, serving most of its owners for decades. But, like any other electrical equipment, the refrigerator requires regular maintenance, during which quite often you can find a small accumulation of water under containers intended for storing vegetables and fruits.

In most cases, the owner of the refrigerator does not consider this a big problem and, after wiping up the puddle, forgets about it. However, water under containers does not just appear. It signals that the refrigerator needs to be defrosted (for outdated models from the USSR: Biryusa, Minsk, etc.), or the drain channel of the drainage system is clogged (for modern models of domestic (Nord, ATLANT) and foreign (Ariston, Bosch and etc.

There are several methods for cleaning a drain. Each of them is characterized by certain features.

Special brush

To clean the drainage drain, you should use a special brush. Such devices are sold in plumbing stores. Instead of a brush, it is permissible to use a cotton swab.

Medical syringe

It is possible to clean the drainage hole using warm water, which is forcefully injected into the tube. This is done after defrosting the refrigerator. It is worth carrying out the procedure several times. In this case, you should dilute the detergent in water.

Rubber bulb

The pear is sold in every pharmacy. To do this, clean the prepared instrument with warm water and place it in the drainage hole. After this, press sharply on the pear.

Thin wire

To use this method, defrost the refrigerator and leave it to dry for 6-10 hours. Then prepare a long wire. It should be thin. This device is worth pushing through the remaining food.

It is important to be careful when doing this to avoid damaging the tube.

The drain is cleaned from both sides. Then you should rinse the hole with warm water. To achieve better results, it is permissible to remove the drain pipe. This will help achieve a good effect.

In No Frost systems

If a Samsung refrigerator or a device of another brand has the No Frost system, there is a small brush in the drain hole. As it is used, it becomes clogged, which disrupts the normal flow of condensate. In addition, microorganisms multiply in the hose.

This provokes a violation of sanitary standards for the use of equipment.

Cleaning should be done with this brush. Then it should be pulled out and washed. To achieve excellent results, it is worth dismantling the hose that runs along the back wall. After which it should be cleaned. It is permissible to use wire for this. Then the hose and brush are returned to their place.

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To cope with pathogenic bacteria, you should use effective means.

In most cases, you can clean this passage with your own hands. All methods come down to mechanical cleaning.

For cleaning you can use:

a special cleaning stick (for some models it is included in the kit);
ear sticks;
rubber bulb or syringe (preferably ten cc);
soft wire (preferably copper).

Process description

It is better to start cleaning with a brush or ear sticks. Often the entrance to the drain becomes clogged with food particles. Using a brush or stick, you can easily clear the passage from the initial blockage. Afterwards you can use a rubber bulb. Fill a syringe with warm water, insert the spout into the hole and release water into the system under pressure. The water pressure should clear simple blockages along the tube. You can repeat the procedure several times.

If cleaning by syringing does not work, the next step is cleaning with a wire. To avoid damaging the plastic tube, the wire should be soft and not sharp at the end. Using a wire, push the remaining blockage in the tube towards the tray. After the work has been done, we additionally rinse the system with water from the pear.

Important! All cleaning work is carried out after disconnecting the device from the power supply.

If the refrigerator is equipped with a No Frost system, cleaning it yourself is not advisable. In models with this system, the drainage hole is hidden behind a special panel. A qualified technician is required for cleaning.

Attention! In 90% of cases, the drainage hole in refrigerators with the No Frost system stops draining water due to freezing of the drainage tube. To fix this problem, simply turn off the refrigerator for two days - the ice will gradually melt and the passage will become clear.

You can clean the drainage hole in the Atlanta, Bosch, Daewoo refrigerator yourself. The methods involve mechanical cleaning. What tools will you need:

cotton buds;
a special wand, some models are equipped with it;
rubber bulb or syringe 10 cubic meters;
copper wire.

Often the hole becomes clogged with pieces of food. Using a stick, you can easily clear the entrance of debris.
Then you can use a rubber bulb. Fill the syringe with warm water, place the spout in the drain of the refrigerator and let the water in with force. Under strong pressure, small blockages are released in the direction of the tube. The procedure is repeated 2-4 times.
If to no avail, then use wire. To prevent the tube from being damaged, the end should not be pointed. Push the clog towards the tray. After the procedure, they are additionally washed with a pear.

IMPORTANT: you can clean the drain only after completely turning off the refrigerator from the network.

Another way to clean the hole is to use a compressor or pump. The tube is purged using a bicycle or car pump. If you have a compressor, this will be easier. As a preventative measure, blow it out once a month with a special small pump.

When cleaning using a syringe, prepare a mixture of soda and soap. It is drawn into the cavity and passed through the tube. Disinfectants will also be beneficial, although they will emit a strong unpleasant odor, but the result will be positive. Buy products that contain chlorine.

The Dezavid composition is in demand among consumers. It can be put into the hole using a syringe, but you need to seal the other end in advance. After a certain time, the cleaning mixture is drained and the drainage tube is washed with warm water. Some people use hydrogen peroxide 3%.

What to do if water accumulates under the vegetable drawers in the refrigerator

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What causes condensation to appear in the refrigerator?

IMPORTANT! Hydrogen peroxide helps rid various surfaces, even plastic cases and elements, of microorganisms.

If the Indesit refrigerator becomes clogged, you can remove the debris using a special tube. This is the simplest way to machine a hole. Remove the device located inside the refrigerator. Clean and push the accumulations through the drainage system. Then the tube is washed from dirt and returned to its original place.

Disposal using a drain cleaning cable. The refrigeration equipment is unfolded and the protective plate located at the back is removed. Behind it is a compressor. Above it is a tray for collecting water. Carefully remove the filter drier, being careful not to touch the tubes. Remove the tray by unscrewing the bolts and place the cable in the drain system. Push back and forth until the other end is visible from the opposite side. Dirt often comes out of the tube.

What causes drainage to become clogged?

Several reasons can cause a freezer to break down or become less efficient. The main problem is that food particles get into the drain on the back wall and the tube becomes clogged from the inside. This situation can occur when a liquid spills, crumbs get in, or the integrity of the packaging is compromised. At the entrance to the hole in the tube, deposits of salts and particles of products accumulate, which cannot increase in size due to contact with water and block the outlet hole.
Another common mistake is overloading the storage room. Because of this, the products are placed close to each other and to the back wall. When the compressor is operating, particles of food and packaging can freeze to the rear wall, and during defrosting, flow into the drain hole into the tank and clog the hole.
Incorrect installation of the unit. If the refrigerator is skewed in any plane, excess moisture collection is observed. This entails a violation of the tightness due to loose fitting of the doors, deformation of the water receiving tank is observed, and a displacement of the area where moisture enters the compressor. A large amount of condensate forms, which does not have time to evaporate, thickens, and clogs the drain. If the tube is not clogged, the liquid intake tank may overflow, causing water to overflow.

For normal operation of household appliances, it is necessary to keep the unit clean and carry out maintenance. Even with minimal knowledge and the availability of simple tools, it will be possible to avoid clogging and keep the equipment in good condition. The person will only need to be attentive and carefully follow the recommendations.

Causes of clogged drainage system

The deterioration of the drainage system or its complete failure is due to several reasons:

the gutter or hole for draining liquid is clogged or they are blocked by food;
the drainage tube is clogged (often with pieces of food, small elements of food packaging);
the refrigerator or a separate refrigeration unit (compressor) is strongly deviated from the horizontal surface;
the seal of the chamber is broken (for example, due to a loose door fit), because of this the device operates in increased mode, overheats, and the system cannot cope with excess condensate.

It can be useful:
Why do the back walls of refrigerators become covered with ice?
Why do you hear a gurgling sound after closing the refrigerator doors?
Why refrigerators crack - the main reasons

What happens if you don't clean the drainage hole?

The drainage system can become clogged if the hole and tube are not cleaned regularly or if such work is not done at all . Old cork is extremely difficult to remove; it requires the skills of a professional. One or more components may need to be replaced.

Consequences of a clogged drainage system:

a persistent, unpleasant odor appears inside the refrigeration unit, which is difficult to remove with the help of specialized aromatic compounds;
a humid environment is an ideal condition for the development of various bacteria, mold, and fungi; for this reason, storing food in the refrigerator becomes unsafe;
constant moisture inside the device is a source of rust formation on the outer part of the case, metal parts and elements.

A serviceable, uncontaminated drainage hole facilitates the smooth removal of condensation from the refrigerator: moisture does not accumulate inside and does not threaten the occurrence of various kinds of problems.

Important! A clogged drainage system in some cases can cause a short circuit and even breakdown of the electric motor of the compressor of the refrigeration unit.

Methods for cleaning the drain hole

It is easier and cheaper to prevent breakdowns and malfunctions than to urgently repair them. Depending on the severity of the blockage, there are methods of varying complexity.

Cleaning the drainage hole using a special plumbing brush. To do this, you need to clean the inlet hole with a napkin, insert the brush into the drain, carefully turn it, and remove it. In case of contamination, rinse with running water and repeat the operation if necessary. If you can’t find a special brush, you can use a cotton swab to clean your ears; you may need several sticks for cleaning; after one use, you can throw away the stick and take the next one, this cleaning will be hygienic.
Flushing the hole with a stream of water. How to clean a refrigerator drain if there is a slight blockage? To create pressure using water, a syringe or bulb is suitable. Flushing begins after the unit has defrosted. You need to draw warm water with a syringe or bulb; you can add an antiseptic to the solution. Contaminants may have accumulated in the tube, causing bacteria to multiply and create an unpleasant odor. A stream of water must be directed forcefully into the drain hole, and if necessary, rinse the tube again. When flowing out, the liquid from the compressor side must be clean and transparent.
Cleaning the tube using a cable. If the previous methods did not help and the hole turned out to be clogged with solid particles, then cleaning it with an elastic wire or cable will help. When performing the operation you need to be as careful as possible. The sharp end can be wrapped with electrical tape, in which case there is less chance of damaging the tube. Otherwise, it will not be possible to remove condensate from the chamber, and leaks will be constant. Cleaning the refrigerator drainage system is possible from the top and bottom. After removing dirt, the tube should be rinsed with a disinfectant solution and then with warm water. In some freezer models, the tube can be removed and washed more efficiently.

You can clean the tube yourself, but cleaning the drainage compartment in the freezer can be done by a professional. All parts of the drip collection are hidden, so there is a risk of damaging the installation or performing poor cleaning.

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Cleaning the drain tube in devices with the No Frost system

Most of these devices are equipped with a special brush designed for safe and effective cleaning of the drainage hole. There shouldn't be any special problems here. Remove the panel hiding it and break through the blockage with an accessory.

But eliminating severe contamination of the drainage system in No Frost refrigerators with your own hands is much more difficult . The fact is that the drainage unit in such devices is also hidden behind a special panel, which can only be accessed after dismantling the rear wall of the unit. Doing this without the appropriate knowledge and experience is not recommended. The best option is to contact a specialist.

Important! Sometimes deterioration in condensate drainage is associated with freezing of water in the tube. To fix the problem, you need to turn off the device for a day until the system completely defrosts.

How to clean drainage in NoFrost refrigerators

In no frost models, the drainage system is hidden behind the back of the panel directly on the refrigerator body. For installation maintenance, it is better to contact a specialized service. Self-cleaning is only possible with good skills in working with household appliances or after observing the work of a professional.

How to clean the refrigerator drain hole when ice forms on the bottom of the freezer. When excess ice occurs, it is worth thinking about the functionality of the moisture removal system. The load on the compressor can cause the temperature in the refrigerator compartment to rise, despite the set mode.

The drainage system may be disrupted by freezing of liquid collection areas. Before calling a technician, you need to defrost the refrigerator, unplug it and keep it at room temperature for 2 days. If the problems persist after turning on the device, it is better to seek help from a service center for repair and maintenance of equipment.

Materials and devices to help quickly clean the drain hole

Special devices designed specifically for these purposes - brushes and brushes - will help speed up the cleaning process. These can be purchased from a refrigeration supply store or plumbing department. Available means in the form of cotton swabs, a piece of soft wire up to half a meter long, or a knitting needle are also suitable.

To flush the hose, you can use a syringe or a large-volume syringe. It is easy to blow out the drainage with a regular bicycle pump. The main thing is not to forget to wipe all surfaces of the refrigerator dry with a cloth after all procedures.

Use of disinfectants

To disinfect the drain tube, the use of antiseptics is required, since the food storage chamber is directly connected to the condensate collection system. Mold, fungi, and bacteria can accumulate in the tube. After cleaning, it is possible to close the drainage hole in the refrigerator in front of the condenser. The disinfectant solution can be left for 5-7 minutes.

After settling, the tube is washed several times to remove the disinfectant. There are various types of disinfectants based on chlorine and hydrogen peroxide. Depending on the activity of the disinfectant, the exposure time may vary; before use, you should read the instructions.

Dehumidification system for nofrost devices

Blocked drainage

A clogged drainage hole is characterized by the accumulation of water in the refrigerator, so it needs to be cleaned as quickly as possible. Clogging occurs due to small food crumbs getting into the drainage hole, after which mucus forms in it, an unpleasant odor appears and, in the end, moisture from the bottom of the refrigerator stops leaving through the drainage. In addition, excess moisture causes the formation of ice, which leads to loss of power of the refrigerator, and subsequently failure of the entire system.

Blocked drainage hole

If you don't clean the drain

Important! For high-quality operation of the equipment, maintenance of the drainage system should be carried out every six months. Even if all recommendations are followed, the risk of blockage is high. If you ignore the recommendation, problems may appear after a while.

Unpleasant odor, even after wet cleaning. Fragrances, odor absorbers, and disinfectants do not help solve the problem.
Spoilage of products before the stated date, subject to temperature conditions. Perishable foods may become moldy and sticky.
Penetration of moisture under the body, destruction of metal elements that are prone to corrosion. Unnoticed leakage of water droplets can cause deformation and damage to equipment components.
Possible short circuit. If moisture gets on contacts that are under voltage, it can cause a short circuit, failure of equipment, and loss of power to the entire house.

Reasons to call a specialist

If cleaning the drainage does not bring results, then there may be a more serious breakdown. If you notice that in addition to the accumulation of water, the compressor is running almost constantly, the freezer is covered with a thick layer of ice, the food is not cooled well, then there are several possible reasons: the seal on the door has deteriorated, the temperature sensor has broken, the evaporator heater has failed, etc.

Important! All of the specified refrigerator components require replacement, so the best option would be to call a technician to your home, who will determine the exact cause and carry out repair work.

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How to replace a capillary

I do not recommend replacing the capillary tube until all options for getting rid of the blockage have been tried. It is advisable to replace the “original” capillary with a new one, even a similar one, only in cases where there are no other ways to solve the problem and correct the breakdown. This situation is due to the following circumstances:

A new capillary tube, even from the same manufacturer, may have a different length or cross-section, which will lead to the fact that the refrigerator will not be able to reach the required temperature and will constantly work, without preventive shutdowns.
In refrigeration equipment, if replaced incorrectly, the heat exchanger is lost.
The dosage of refrigerant initially calculated by the manufacturer changes.
When mistakes were made during soldering, extraneous noise may occur in the evaporator.
Soldering a copper capillary into an aluminum evaporator is not a reliable solution to the problem. At the same time, unscrupulous craftsmen often use epoxy resin for gluing, which, at most, will last a year and a half, and then it will begin to leak freon.

Attention! In fact, the cooling system can always be restored and the capillary tube cleaned.

Useful tips

To prevent an increase in humidity in the refrigerator and reduce the number of times you clean the refrigerator drainage system, adhere to the following rules when operating the household appliance:

regularly carry out the procedure for washing internal surfaces, which will prevent the accumulation of debris in the chambers;
place products on the shelves of the unit at a short distance from the walls of the compartments so that packaging material and products do not touch them and do not freeze;
periodically inspect the drainage hole and clean it, if necessary, with cotton swabs, a brush, or the pressure of warm water using a rubber bulb.

The problem of clogging of the hole and condensate drain tube is not a serious breakdown, but rather relates to the maintenance procedure of the device.

If during operation of the refrigerator you begin to notice small accumulations of water on its bottom, immediately begin cleaning the drainage system.

How to avoid frequent clogs

Cleaning a drain is easy, but it is best to prevent clogs. The following measures help with this:

Rinse the canal with hot water. A large syringe is filled with liquid with the addition of dishwashing detergent. The solution is shaken and injected into the hole. Washing is repeated several times. Use clean water to remove any remaining product.
Proper food storage. Food is placed in sealed bags or containers.

Cleaning the refrigerator compartment is carried out at least once every 3 months.