I noticed the sound of running water behind my fridge today near the bottom & freezer failing.. Whats it mean?

Question

It was working fine and then I heard this sound. Upon opening the freezer door, I noticed things were thawing. I removed all the items and the water running sound happened less often. I reloaded the freezer minus a few things and have not heard the water running sound again. Can anyone tell me what that sound might mean, and why it stopped after reloading everything?

Answer 1

Your fridge was probably in its defrost cycle.  During this time the compressor shuts off and a heater turns on in the freezer to melt the frost that has built up on the evaporator.  Usually this defrosting happens and you don't hear it happening.  Most units defrost 2 or 3 times daily.  Later.

Answer 2

Sounds like it hasn't been defrosting like it should. Was the back or floor of the freezer covered in frost and is it frost free?

If you noted the frost this is where your water dripping came from. to verify look under it (assuming its a self defrosting model) the refg and see if there is a lot of water accumulated in the drip pan. If so that's what has happened.

Now as for the cause. If this is one of the newer refrgs. the defrost timer is solid state and the problem may be the defrost limit switch not closing and allowing the timer to innate a defrost.

There are 3 main manufacturers 1 is GE 1 is Whirlpool and (I forget the 3rd). Anyway if the limit switch is bad it can cause some timers to skip defrost all together. Now you need to either find the checkout instructions (if they are on the fridge they will be written on a folded paper) If these are missing then you need a reliable repair person. The way you can tell if he's reliable is if he mentions at least the 2 things Ive mentioned the defrost timer and the limit switch, but he could mention more like the defrost heater as well as other parts that may be at fault. Believe me anyone that works on your manufacturer of refridg will have a list of parts that may be at fault and if they don't mention at least the 2 most common ones Ive mentioned, you don't want him.

Keep looking til you get someone that you feel is qualified to do the work for you. If the problem disappears fro a while and then freezer gets cool and refg gets warm, its a sure thing that you've got a defrost problem, or a air movement problem (damper not opening or closing as needed).

Hope this helps let me know how you come out.

Answer 3

Were things actually thawing? Then probably somebody left the door open and frosted it up and it wasn't cooling well for a while.

That could also explain why you heard the water because it had a much greater load of frost to defrost.

But yes, it seems to be the normal defrost working and higher temperatures and/or high humidity means you get more frost and water when it defrosts.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

Relax!!!  You have a self defrosting fridge/freezer!  It is supposed to do that every now and then.  Just keep all of your frozen food away from the walls of the freezer.  This includes the bottom!  Get a rack if you have to!  It melts all of the ice build up so it can operate more efficiently!