Unpopular opinion: Skipping the condensate drain check on fridges is a waste of time

I've been fixing appliances for years, and it always surprises me how many techs blame the ice maker for fridge leaks. On a recent job, the customer was sure the ice maker was faulty, but when I checked the condensate drain, it was clogged with gunk. A clean with warm water and a pipe cleaner fixed it right away. The customer was amazed, and I saved them from a pointless repair. I think we skip the simple steps too often. Now, I always inspect the drain first, and it solves most leaks. This habit makes jobs faster and customers happier. What's the first thing you check for fridge leaks?

3 comments

3 Comments

troy4491mo ago

Isn't it frustrating when the simple solution gets overlooked? Honestly, I've heard so many stories about fridge leaks that turned out to be just a clogged drain. Tbh, it makes me wonder why we always assume the worst first. A quick check like that seems like it should be standard practice. It really does save everyone a lot of hassle and cash. Ngl, I feel for anyone who paid for a big repair when a simple clean would have worked.

christopher_bennett1mo ago

Last month, I fixed three fridge leaks from broken ice makers, not clogged drains.

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taragrant1mo agoMost Upvoted

Same here. My fridge leaked all over the floor last year. Turned out the line to the ice maker had a tiny crack. Cost me a bundle.