Dripping fridge and ice build up in freezer

cormie

Hi,
I've a separate fridge and freezer, the freezer is an open top one and the fridge is an undercounter. Lately the fridge has started dripping water from the back plate, there are droplets all over the back plate towards the bottom and after a while a little puddle is created. I tried different temp setting (although not extensively) but I can't figure what's up with it.

With the freezer, there is ice building up on the top half of it, it's maybe 70cm deep altogether and about the top 40cm there is ice whereas below it's ice free. I can't tell whether it's actually colder towards the top or bottom, but it's strange.

Can anyone hazard a guess as what could be wrong with both appliances and what I could do to fix it?

any feedback appreciated

Victor

Has it been moved recently that it might have either received damage or the ventilation for the fan is affected?

Is the build up of ice so much that it is affecting the operation? If so, defrost it (there might be a button you can push) and then check back after a day.

Are the gaskets (seals) on the doors working properly - heat may be leaking in.

MarkR

Freezers seemingly need to have clearance around those cooling bars in order to work well. Once the ice builds up it becomes less efficient. It might be no harm to defrost your freezer. Won't take long if you have one of those steam machines.

If it was a combined fridge freezer this could have been affecting your fridge (something similar happened to me). Clean out your fridge and see is there any blockages. I think there's normally a small drain hole near the back.

Once done set your fridge about mid temp and leave it for 24 hours and see how you get on.

Alun

Yes, for the fridge, if the water is collecting on the inside of the fridge (wasn't clear when I first read it) then you need to unbung the drain hole. Sometimes it actually freezes up, if you have the thermostat set too low, for example, and if that's the case you'll need to defrost it first. Look for a small channel or gutter running horizontally across the back plate of the fridge with a small hole in the middle. Best things by far for unbunging the hole are pipe cleaners if you can still find such things. When you've done it, check it's really clear by pouring a small amount of water into it and seeing if it runs through. It should come out via a pipe onto a metal plate mounted on top of the compressor at the back of the fridge (this gets hot during normal use, and means the water evaporates rather than collecting).

As for the freezer, it probably just needs defrosting. Might be an idea to check the seals around the lid as well while you're at it and make sure they're all clean and making a good seal. I'm guessing that the ice is mainly at the top because when you open it, that's where any damp air from the surroundings will enter first, condense and freeze. Also a freezer will get less efficient over time as it freezes up, so it's good idea to do it regularly anyway.

cormie

Thanks for the replies. Will check it out