When Your Refrigerator Causes Water Damage Cleanup Issues

How many times a day do you open the fridge? Multiply that number by 10 for all the kids and guests in your home. Every time that you do, you expect to find properly chilled (and safe) food. Since they were mass-produced in the 1950s, refrigerators have been one of the most reliable appliances in modern kitchens. According to the United States Department of Energy, their lifespan should be about twelve years. Not only will a replacement be more energy-efficient, but it will also have less risk of a leak causing water damage. 

Refrigerators should never leak out any water; drips indicate a serious problem. Not only is the appliance and all the food stored inside at risk, so are the kitchen floors, walls, and baseboards. Several areas of the unit could fail and leak: 

Water Filters  

Most modern refrigerators have built-in water dispensers for clean, fresh drinking water that is accessible at any time. They, therefore, also have an installed water filter to remove heavy minerals, bacteria, and other contaminants. Confirm with your manufacturer; most recommend changing refrigerator water filters at least every six months. 

Failing to change your fridge’s water filter can cause scaling and deposit buildup, which can seriously damage your fridge. This buildup tends to slow down the system, damage the lines, and give a bad flavor to your water.

Another consequence of built-up scale is clogging in the lines. Or maybe the filter has come loose or the connection was damaged. Or maybe someone installed the wrong sized filter. Any dampness around it must be investigated. 

Blocked Defrost Drain 

A blocked defrost drain is another common cause of water leaks. Condensation collected from the freezer’s refrigeration lines is directed to a central pan. Water in the defrost pan evaporates between systematic defrost cycles. 

Sometimes food particles and debris block the small drain opening, causing water leaks as it builds up in the pan. When the defrost drain is clogged, water will back up into the freezer and run down into the fridge. Eventually, puddling on the floor. If this drain pan gets cracked or bent, water will certainly leak onto the floor before it evaporates. 

Ice Maker Connections Are Loose

When your freezer makes ice, the water enters the unit from a supply line. Plastic connectors and water lines wear out with age; damaged seals cause leaks around the refrigerator. A loose or crimped water line can quickly spill gallons of water under the fringe, over to the baseboards and up the walls.  

For Water Damage Cleanup in Billings

Leaks are common in the kitchen, refrigerators are often the cause of trouble. Choosing a damage specialist that can respond quickly and effectively is your best defense against additional damage.  Faithful Cleaning has 24-hour phone service so that you can get all the support that you will need– immediately.

When you choose Faithful Disaster Restoration, you have a full-service certified disaster recovery general contractor to help you through a complete fire damage restoration. With years of experience and training, they will quickly get your life back in order. For help, advice, and support after water damage in Billings, call right away!