Why Is My Fridge Wet Inside?
Pools of water pools inside the refrigerator mean that there’s a condensation problem with your appliance.
If your fridge begins producing excessive amounts of condensation, this can be both inconvenient and unhygienic.
There are a couple of things to look for if water is pooling at the bottom of your fridge. They include:
- Unblock the drainage hole
The first thing to check is the drainage hole. You should find it at the back of the fridge at the bottom of the back wall.
Fridges get designed so condensation can filter through this hole. Into a small pan that sits on top of the compressor. The heat from the compressor then causes the water to evaporate.
Problems can happen when the drain gets blocked. Try cleaning it with something like a pipe cleaner, or cotton bud, making sure any blockages get removed.
- Check for ice build-up.
Sometimes, ice can build up on the back wall of your fridge. It can get caused by the refrigerator being overfilled, preventing air from moving around, and keeping the fridge frost-free.
If ice builds up, this can stop water from draining out of the fridge. The only way to fix it is to de-ice the refrigerator by turning it off and melting the ice.
Once the fridge is free from ice, it’s a good idea to check the drainage hole to make sure it’s clear before turning it back on.
Some Causes of Condensation in Fridges.
- An Open-Door Policy?
Are you a person who tends to open the door of your refrigerator and stare at its contents, wondering what to make for dinner? Are there multiple people in your home who all open the refrigerator door regularly? If so, that could be a cause of condensation in your fridge. Allowing warm air to invade the calm environment constantly creates a reaction that can lead to moisture appearing. Also, it could be an issue with the seals on your doors, so check those to ensure no holes or tears.
- Dense Humidity?
Do you live in an area that’s home to a tropical climate? The reason this could be relevant is that people who live in these parts of the world ultimately get used to a high level of humidity. As much as people adjust to moisture to a degree, refrigerators do not. Therefore, there could be condensation in your fridge because of the humidity in the atmosphere surrounding the unit, and that moisture will eventually make its way inside the cooling compartments.
- Sweaty Produce?
There’s nothing like going to a farmer’s market or even a high-end grocery store and coming home with farm-fresh produce. It looks different, tastes different, and is almost always more delicious. However, it’s also quite moist, and putting wet food into your refrigerator’s crisper can lead to condensation. That’s because the moisture could evaporate from the food and find itself at the bottom of the compartment. It can also lead to your food spoiling quickly.
- Packed House?
Refrigerators tend to accumulate things, like closets, shelves, and cupboards in the kitchen. In addition, an overpacked refrigerator can lead to blocked vents in different compartments. When ducts are blocked, cold air may not get into these compartments as quickly, and moisture may appear as a result. This is particularly true if many of the items in your refrigerator are plastic and square in shape.
- Is Your Fridge Level?
Finally, a refrigerator that is not level will not operate properly. In many models, water won’t flow to the drain as it should. As a result, it can remain at the bottom of the unit without necessarily being noticed due to crispers and other compartments that prevent you from seeing what’s happening at the bottom. Ultimately, the presence of this water could create moisture elsewhere.
Most fridges are designed to deal with a small amount of condensation through a drain at the bottom of the fridge cavity. But if you’re starting to notice more water than usual, there are a couple of things you can do.
Tips on Reducing Condensation in Your Fridge.
- Wait for your food to cool.
More often than not, considerable amounts of dampness and condensation in your fridge are caused by warm air.
When it comes to putting a recently cooked meal in the fridge, many are guilty of not allowing their food to cool down before storing it in cold conditions.
Make sure you prevent warm air from entering your fridge at all times to avoid an influx in condensation.
- Fix the seal on your fridge door
Another easy way for hot air to enter your fridge is by not attending to a broken seal.
Sometimes, a broken seal may not be evident to the naked eye, as the slightest bump, rip or tear is enough to let warm air into the appliance and send the cold air it produces in the opposite direction.
To test whether your seal gets broken, close the door on a sheet of paper, and if you can remove it once shut, then your seal is too loose and is certainly letting out cold air. According to Rent Round Founder Raj Dosanjh, a faulty fridge seal is in the top 5 complaints from tenants to landlords.
- Check the temperature settings.
Whenever you spot condensation in your fridge, always make it a ritual to check your fridge’s temperature settings regularly.
It is the most specific fridge problem regarding condensation to overcome.
According to the Food Standards Agency, all fridges should be below five °C, anything higher than this, you’re running the risk of bacteria spreading and a considerable amount of condensation developing too.
- Don’t leave your fridge door open.
Whenever you use your fridge, always double-check that the seal is tight when it’s shut.
In the same instance as a broken seal, if you leave the fridge door open, you’re going to allow warm air to flow into the appliance and use condensation to develop inside.
- Faulty drip pan
Depending on the age of your appliance, over time, the drip pan in your fridge can become faulty, causing an excessive amount of condensation.
This issue isn’t so simple to resolve by yourself. Instead, you may need to invest in a quality refrigerator repair service to combat this troublesome issue.
- Keep your fridge straight.
Have you ever taken a second look at your fridge or fridge freezer and noticed whether it’s fully upright or not?
If, in your case, it’s the latter, this is probably the reason why you’re finding condensation within the appliance.
When a fridge gets not stood up straight, there’s a possibility that it will not drain efficiently and can cause a build-up in condensation.
- Unclog the fridge drain
If you’ve noticed that there’s more water than usual within your fridge, then there’s possibly an issue with its draining functionality.
Your drain can become clogged with loose food, so if it’s left unresolved, your fridge isn’t going to drain water out accordingly. Simply cleaning out your drain should resolve this issue.