Leak in Kitchen - Could it be Fridge-Freezer AutoDefrost

bigshow

Is it possible for a fridge-freezer to leak a one off volume of water?

I had a new solid oak wooden floor layed in our kitchen and one morning the floor was flooded with water and has since dried out but is ruined. This happened 2 months ago and no more water has been seen

All pipes have been checked, even the one pipe under the concrete floor, appliances ran through every cycle. No sign of leaks above or below the kitchen.

My last thought is could it have been from the fridge-freezer leaking during a thaw or something. I am not sure how they work. Could this be a possibility?

Nile

Hello bigshow


Welcome to the MSE site.

One of our expert members will hopefully post a response to your question shortly.;)

Kind Regards

Nile

plumb1_2

bigshow wrote:

Is it possible for a fridge-freezer to leak a one off volume of water?

I had a new solid oak wooden floor layed in our kitchen and one morning the floor was flooded with water and has since dried out but is ruined. This happened 2 months ago and no more water has been seen

All pipes have been checked, even the one pipe under the concrete floor, appliances ran through every cycle. No sign of leaks above or below the kitchen.

My last thought is could it have been from the fridge-freezer leaking during a thaw or something. I am not sure how they work. Could this be a possibility?

Yes they can leak, if you have auto de-frost, the water should go into a small tank, which has a small element/heater, which evaporates the water.
It is not working correctly the tank will overflow, causing the leak.
i would also check to see if the pipe from the fridge/frezzer isn,t blocked or split, which feeds into the small tank.

jobbingmusician

The other thing (or at least it might even be the same thing!) that FF have is a drainage channel at the bottom of the fridge (is the fridge on top?)

Have a look at the back of the bottom of the fridge, and a feel around. You may find a channel full of yucky water. This slopes down into a little hole. Sometimes the hole gets bunged up and the channel overflows. A straightened out paperclip used to de-gunk this hole works wonders! (Switch off/unplug the fridge at the wall first JIC)

plumb1_2

jobbingmusician wrote:

A straightened out paperclip used to de-gunk this hole works wonders! (Switch off/unplug the fridge at the wall first JIC)

better to use a drinking straw, as it wont damage any plastic, can be found at most PUB counters;)

Nile

plumb1 wrote:

better to use a drinking straw, as it wont damage any plastic, can be found at most PUB counters;)

........or failing that, pick one up at MacDonalds/Burger King next time you're there.;)

bigshow

ok thanks for that info.
How often do these appliances defrost?
Had it thawed that particular day and all the water has flown onto the floor. Hence will it do it again one day. Since the floor was wet one day, dried out and hasnt been wet since.
Or does it continuously evaporate the water.