Unblocking your fridge drainage tube
Introduction
There are two main ways the fridge compartment chills. One design is where the fridge gets its chill directly from the freezer compartment via vents and a fan which circulates the air up to the fridge.
The second design is where the back wall of the fridge compartment is chilled directly from the refrigerant. This system is also known as a wet wall fridge.
A wet wall fridge produces droplets of water that goes through a cycle of freezing and defrosting, this cycle maintains the desired temperature in the fridge keeping your food fresh. One problem with this type of system is the drain off channel can get blocked, this prevents the defrosted water from collecting in the evaporation tray and instead over flowing into the base of the fridge compartment underneath the salad drawer.
The perpose of this section is a step by step guide to making sure this drainage tube is clear so the appliance can opperate as normal.
- Finding the drain channel
The drain channel is located inside the fridge compartment at the back, usually just above the bottom shelf. To make easier access, we recommend removing the middle shelf, this allows more room to get the job done,
- Checking the drain
Once you have located the drain, check to make sure there is no visible blockages around the hole or channel itself. Due to the nature of a wet wall fridge, packaging, labels and bits of food that have had contact with the back wall will eventually run down with the water. This is what blockes the drain. Wiping the channel and around the drain with a cloth should remove anything that could cause a problem. - Clearing the drain
If there is no visual blockages around the drain then you will need to plunge the drainage hole to be sure it is clear. All wet wall fridges are provided with a plunger to clean the drain out, however most people are unaware and throw it in the bin. If you have the plunger, great!! Insert it in and out of the hole a few times to clear it. If however, you do not have the plunger we recommend using something like a craft pipe cleaner or small cable tie. These are both stiff enough to remove blockages but also not hard enough to cause any damage. Most importantly though, DO NOT drop the item down the drain hole as this could potentionally get stuck and will not be able to be removed. - Finished
Once you have plunged the drain hole a couple of times, this should clear any blockages. The best way to check is pouring a small amount of water down the drain using a small jug. Wipe any excess water from underneath the salad drawer then reinstall the shelves if you removed them. Check after a day or two to see if any water has accumulated. If it has, then a possible blockage could be further down the drain and would require a qualified technician to investigate. If it is clear, we advise to check the drain channel at least once a month to prevent issues.
Appliance repairs
One Stop Appliance Repairs are always here to help with all appliance repairs, servicing and maintenance. We aim to help and advise our customers both, over the phone with our excellent call centre staff or booking our highly trained engineers to carryout any repairs or maintenance.
It’s important to maintain your whitegood appliances over time to prevent huge expenses if they breakdown, at least 50% of the repairs we are called out for are down to poor maintenance. Visit our homepage for more information on our services, area coverage and prices. or alternativly call our office on 02922 711508 and speak to our team. Even check out our facebook page.
© One Stop Appliance Repairs Ltd 2026,
12 Newport Road, Bedwas, Caerphilly, CF83 8AA. Company Number 13288230 VAT Register Number 434698167