You open your refrigerator and find a puddle of water at the bottom. The crisper drawers are floating. You check the door seal — it's fine. The problem is hidden: a blocked defrost drain tube.

The Drain Tube You Didn't Know Existed

During defrost cycles, melting ice turns to water. That water flows down a small tube to a drain pan under the fridge, where it evaporates. When the tube gets clogged with debris or ice, water backs up and leaks into the fridge compartment.

The 30-Minute DIY Fix

1. Unplug the fridge and empty the fridge section.
2. Remove the back panel inside the freezer.
3. Locate the drain hole at the bottom of the evaporator coils.
4. Use a turkey baster or syringe with hot water to flush the tube.
5. Use a pipe cleaner or thin wire to dislodge stubborn clogs.
6. Pour a cup of hot water down the hole — it should drain freely.

When to Call a Professional

If the drain tube is frozen solid (ice blockage, not debris), the defrost heater may be failing. We use a steam gun to melt the ice safely and test the defrost system. Cost: KSh 2,500-4,000 including inspection of the entire defrost system.

"Water kept pooling under my crisper drawers. I tried everything. Repair Ready cleared a blocked defrost drain tube in 30 minutes for KSh 2,500. No more water for over a year." — Margaret, Kilimani

📞 Call 0707 790 099 if water is pooling inside your fridge. Mention 'defrost drain' for accurate diagnosis.