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Maytag refrigerators are exceptionally good at storing and cooling items in their compartments. Still, there are situations where water will leak from a Maytag fridge, particularly from the back, bottom, or from its doors. But why does that happen?
The most likely reasons your Maytag fridge leaks water are a clogged defrost drain,
This guide will walk you through all the likely reasons your Maytag fridge leaks water and what you can do about it.
5 Reasons Your Maytag Fridge Is Leaking Water
Here are 5 of the most likely reasons your Maytag fridge is leaking water.
#1 Clogged Or Frozen Defrost Drain
How this happens: Every couple of hours, your Maytag fridge will run through an automatic defrost cycle. As that happens, the fridge will stop cooling and turn on a heating element. The idea here is for the heat to melt away any ice or frost buildup, especially around the evaporator.
Melting frost and ice will turn into water that flows away through a defrost drain at the back of the fridge compartment. When the drain is clear, all of that water will flow away without you even noticing it was there in the first place.
Unfortunately, that defrost drain can get clogged or frozen. When that happens, water will back up into the fridge and leak out of the fridge.
Another way the defrost drain gets blocked is when food bits or dirt fall into it. That will also clog the drain and cause the same problem.
You’ll know that this is the case when you see water pooling inside the fridge compartment and flowing out from the compartment door.
How to fix it: The solution here is to clear that defrost drain manually.
Firstly, you’ll have to pull out any food bits that might be clogging the drain. However, you must also melt away any ice that you find blocking the defrost drain.
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You can melt the ice using hot water or by shutting off the fridge and letting it defrost naturally. However, never use a tool like a heat gun or hair dryer. Tools like those shoot a blast of heat that’s too strong and will melt or warp your fridge’s plastic panels.
Read: Maytag/Whirlpool Fridge Ice Maker Not Working? How To Test?
#2 Water Filter Problems
How this happens: Problems with your Maytag fridge’s water filters can also cause the appliance to leak water. So, you’ll also want to check the filter itself and the housing where it’s located.
Firstly, something could have caused damage to the
But let’s suppose you have recently installed a brand new
Besides that, there’s also the issue of compatibility. Ideally, you should use Maytag water filters in your fridge. However, there are also many universal
The problem with them is that you might purchase one that’s not suited for your Maytag fridge model. As a result, it won’t fit correctly, and water will leak out.
How to fix it: To fix this problem, first check that you’ve got the correct
Then, remove the filter and reinstall it carefully. Be sure to follow the step-by-step instructions provided, so you know you’re doing it correctly.
Read: Maytag Refrigerator Control Panel Problems And How To Fix It
#3 Damaged Water Inlet Valve
How this happens: The water inlet valve is the gateway through which water enters the fridge. The valve works in a very straightforward way. Firstly, it’ll open and let water in when there isn’t enough inside the appliance. Then, when the fridge has enough water, the valve will shut and prevent water from overflowing inside.
When water leaks from behind your Maytag fridge, it’s likely because the water inlet valve has suffered damage and cracked. Because of that, water will leak out of the damaged valve and onto the floor.
How to fix it: There’s only one way to fix this problem: replace the damaged valve with a new one. First, you’ll have to disconnect the valve’s wiring and hose connections and unmount it from the frame of the fridge. Then, install a new one in its place and reconnect everything the same way as before.
Read: Top Reasons Why Fridge Is Making Ice But Not Dispensing Water
#4 Cracked Drain Pan
How this happens: When water flows through your fridge’s defrost drain, it goes down to the drain pan at the bottom of the appliance. The pan’s purpose is to hold the water as it evaporates naturally. Because of that, you won’t have to empty the water or drain it anywhere else.
However, if that drain pan suffers a crack, water can leak out onto your kitchen floor before it has a chance to evaporate. That’s why you’ll notice water pooling around the fridge’s bottom when this happens.
How to fix it: The only way to solve this problem is to replace the drain pan with a new one. Unfortunately, you can’t repair or patch up cracked drain pans.
When you shop for a replacement, always remember to double-check that the drain pan is compatible with your Maytag fridge model. That way, you can rest assured that the pan will fit perfectly with your appliance and hold drain water as it should.
Read: Why Is Fridge Compressor Running But Not Cooling?
#5 Fridge Isn’t Level
How this happens: At first glance, this final reason might not seem like a big deal. Still, you should never underestimate the problems you’ll face when your fridge isn’t level.
Remember: Maytag has designed its fridges so that any water will drain away quickly. As we’ve seen above, the defrost drain carries water to the drain pan, where it’ll evaporate naturally.
However, if your fridge isn’t level, the water can’t flow in the right direction. Instead, it’ll pool where it shouldn’t and eventually leak out through the fridge’s openings.
How to fix it: Firstly, check that the floor underneath your Maytag is perfectly level. You can use a conventional spirit level to check this if you have one. However, smartphones these days also have apps that can do the same.
Then, check that your fridge is level. Your fridge will have adjustable legs that you can turn to raise or lower as needed.
Once your fridge is perfectly level, gravity will take over and pull water through the drain.
Read: Maytag Refrigerator Troubleshooting
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) that you’re likely to have:
Where Is The Defrost Drain On A Maytag Refrigerator?
You can find the defrost drain at the back of the compartments in a Maytag refrigerator. There will be one in the refrigerator compartment and another in the freezer compartment if your unit has one. The defrost drain is a hole the size of a quarter.
What Does It Mean When Your Fridge Is Leaking Water Underneath?
When your Maytag fridge leaks water underneath, the most likely cause is a cracked drain pan. That’s because you can find the pan at the bottom of the refrigerator, typically concealed behind a toe panel or back panel.
How Do You Unclog A Refrigerator Drain Tube?
The refrigerator drain tube can suffer a clog from two things: food bits and ice. So, you can use a wire or something similar to pull out food bits and clear the clog. You can use a turkey baster to deliver hot water directly into the drain for melting ice.
Can Water Leak From A Fridge That’s Not Level?
Yes. When your fridge isn’t level, water can’t flow naturally to the drain tube at the back of the fridge compartments. Instead, the water will pool and eventually leak out from the fridge’s door.
