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Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,536
Registered: ‎05-27-2014

Clogged up inside refrigerator drain

I am seriously thinking about renting again (!)

 

My refrigerator started leaking down the inside of the unit with not a drop to be found in the outside pan. A hand towel will fully saturate in 24 hours. I u-tubed it and figured out that an onion skin or something got wedged into the drain opening. I followed instructions and flushed hot water down the drain with a turkey baster. That didn't work so then I saw a man used a reamer the diameter of a clothes line and it worked. DOES ANYONE HERE KNOW WHERE I COULD FIND ONE?

 

My refrigerator is otherwise perfect. 

 

I so appreciate any suggestions from my fellow posters.

 

dee

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,433
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Clogged up inside refrigerator drain

I just bought some skinny brushes that are for cleaning out long, plastic straws.

 

There is a thick piece of plastic at the end to hold.

 

Not sure how long the hose is, but maybe use that to loosen the debris and then flush it out.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,803
Registered: ‎09-01-2010

Re: Clogged up inside refrigerator drain

Straighten out a wire coat hanger? 

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,536
Registered: ‎05-27-2014

Re: Clogged up inside refrigerator drain

@RedTop:

 

It not to be flexible like a hose. Think endoscopy flexible! LOL

 

dee

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,803
Registered: ‎09-01-2010

Re: Clogged up inside refrigerator drain

My last refrigerator had a clogged condensate drain, and the water ran out underneath the fridge.   Moms refrigerator had the same problem but ran out inside the fridge; she kept a tall plastic container inside to catch the water.   When we remodeled the kitchen last year, and moved the refrigerator, my husband used an air compressor to clear the drain from both the inside and outside of the unit.  What blew out was funky and slimy.   

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,958
Registered: ‎09-28-2010

Re: Clogged up inside refrigerator drain


@RedTop wrote:

My last refrigerator had a clogged condensate drain, and the water ran out underneath the fridge.   Moms refrigerator had the same problem but ran out inside the fridge; she kept a tall plastic container inside to catch the water.   When we remodeled the kitchen last year, and moved the refrigerator, my husband used an air compressor to clear the drain from both the inside and outside of the unit.  What blew out was funky and slimy.   


@RedTop - Oh man, I bought a small air compressor a couple of years ago and it is truly a life saver!  Everything from blowing out the dust and debris build up in fan motors, to blowing out my vacuum cleaners and small hoses from various appliances.  No danger of accidentally punching a hole in a line.

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,726
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Clogged up inside refrigerator drain

How about pipe cleaners?  They may not be long enough, though.  Call an appliance repair service and have them do it if all else fails.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,128
Registered: ‎06-25-2012

Re: Clogged up inside refrigerator drain

After buying all of these at-home fix it gadgets I think it might be more cost efficient to just call a repairman. 

"Pure Michigan"
Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,344
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Clogged up inside refrigerator drain


@ID2 wrote:

After buying all of these at-home fix it gadgets I think it might be more cost efficient to just call a repairman. 


Yes and then figure out age vs. cost to repair vs. cost to replace.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 27,292
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Clogged up inside refrigerator drain

Aquarium airline tubing is a great alternative for cleaning out smaller diameter tubing. It's pretty small in diameter, but both flexible and rigid at the same time. If it's too rigid a few seconds in warm water will soften it right up. It's readily available in any Walmart and is cheap. Ten feet typically sells for just a couple of dollars. If it hits a blockage anywhere you can try blowing through it to help celar the blockage. (Don't inhale however unless you want a mouthful of whatever's blocking it.) If you have a Shop Vac, you can use that to su*ck the blockage out. You can wrap a wet towel around the end of the suction hose if need be to get a good seal. 

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!