Overflowing Integrated Fridge Evaporation Tray

karlitob

Hi all

As part of my life learning learning of how things work - by finding out that they’re broke - I’ve learned what a fridge evaporation tray is. At least I think I do.

Last summer and this summer - a good bit of constant water in the fridge esp against the back wall. Seems to ease during the winter. We thought it was the temp settings and didn’t really investigate much.

Since then I’ve found the kicker board was swollen, and the door to another room beside the fridge difficult to close.

Today I realise that the door was difficult to close because the floor seems to rise up there and is a bit springy.

Looking under the fridge I can see some water, more swollen floor and a swollen base of the fridge unit.

So since the fridge is still working I’m guessing that it’s an evaporation tray that’s overflowing.

The drainpipe is clear. Wife clears it regularly.
It’s an integrated tall larder fridge, no freezer. It’s 10 years old.

Advice please
- I presume that once the water issue is fixed then the boards under the floor will dry out but might not be the same anymore and I can fix them when I lay new floor boards in the future

- drain the evaporation tray! Any advice Or tricks on how to do it? I want to avoid pulling the whole thing out if I have to, and that presumes it is easily found. I’m getting my hands on a syringe and tubing tomorrow which I hope might work? Any other tricks

Thanks in advance.

Frogeye

karlitob wrote: »

Hi all

As part of my life learning learning of how things work - by finding out that they’re broke - I’ve learned what a fridge evaporation tray is. At least I think I do.

Last summer and this summer - a good bit of constant water in the fridge esp against the back wall. Seems to ease during the winter. We thought it was the temp settings and didn’t really investigate much.

Since then I’ve found the kicker board was swollen, and the door to another room beside the fridge difficult to close.

Today I realise that the door was difficult to close because the floor seems to rise up there and is a bit springy.

Looking under the fridge I can see some water, more swollen floor and a swollen base of the fridge unit.

So since the fridge is still working I’m guessing that it’s an evaporation tray that’s overflowing.

The drainpipe is clear. Wife clears it regularly.
It’s an integrated tall larder fridge, no freezer. It’s 10 years old.

Advice please
- I presume that once the water issue is fixed then the boards under the floor will dry out but might not be the same anymore and I can fix them when I lay new floor boards in the future

- drain the evaporation tray! Any advice Or tricks on how to do it? I want to avoid pulling the whole thing out if I have to, and that presumes it is easily found. I’m getting my hands on a syringe and tubing tomorrow which I hope might work? Any other tricks

Thanks in advance.

I have water coming from under my larder fridge...no idea why... I have tiles so no risk of damage.... no idea why there is so much of it though..

_Brian

The most likely cause of both problems above is excessive condensation inside the fridge, as this extra water drains down onto the evaporator tray It cannot cope and so overflows.

The most common cause of excessive condensation in a fridge is the door seal allowing air in all the time, this constant supply of fresh air contains more and more moisture to condense on cold surfaces. Leaving the door open for long periods will do this also.

Keep the door closed as much as possible

Check all around the door seal for dirt or damage that would cause it not to seal.

karlitob

_Brian wrote: »

The most likely cause of both problems above is excessive condensation inside the fridge, as this extra water drains down onto the evaporator tray It cannot cope and so overflows.

The most common cause of excessive condensation in a fridge is the door seal allowing air in all the time, this constant supply of fresh air contains more and more moisture to condense on cold surfaces. Leaving the door open for long periods will do this also.

Keep the door closed as much as possible

Check all around the door seal for dirt or damage that would cause it not to seal.

And now you say it - the seal ain’t as good anymore. I presume it’s easy to buy and install new ones. Standard product?

Any advice on clearing out the evaporation tray without pulling the whole fridge out?


Thanks for the advice.

_Brian

No idea about the seal, any appliance parts I’ve got from spares.ie
I imagine the fridge will have to come out to clear the tray.

karlitob

_Brian wrote: »

No idea about the seal, any appliance parts I’ve got from spares.ie
I imagine the fridge will have to come out to clear the tray.

Thanks for that. Just contacted the company there.

Need a new door as the seals aren’t separate. Obviously not worth it on an old applicable. She did suggest a heat gun to the seals to reinvigorate them. Might be worth a try till we get a one.

And as you suggested - will have to pull it out if we want to get at it properly.

Thanks for everyone’s help.

_Brian

karlitob wrote: »

Thanks for that. Just contacted the company there.

Need a new door as the seals aren’t separate. Obviously not worth it on an old applicable. She did suggest a heat gun to the seals to reinvigorate them. Might be worth a try till we get a one.

And as you suggested - will have to pull it out if we want to get at it properly.

Thanks for everyone’s help.

I'd urge caution with a heat gun.. overheat stuff very quickly...
Based on her advice I'd be starting with a hairdryer on hottest setting first..


best of luck..

karlitob

_Brian wrote: »

I'd urge caution with a heat gun.. overheat stuff very quickly...
Based on her advice I'd be starting with a hairdryer on hottest setting first..


best of luck..

Agree about the heat gun - will try the hair dryer first.

Just did the syringe and tubing job - 200mls. Delighted.

I presume those trays are not much bigger than 200mls. Hopefully it’ll keep us going til we get a new fridge.

karlitob

karlitob wrote: »

Agree about the heat gun - will try the hair dryer first.

Just did the syringe and tubing job - 200mls. Delighted.

I presume those trays are not much bigger than 200mls. Hopefully it’ll keep us going til we get a new fridge.

Hi all

Progress update.

So I’m still syringing once per week - ranges from 50-150mls. The water damage has now gone though which is great.

I’ve tried to heat gun the seal. Not much change.

The company - who no longer builds the fridges - said that the whole door needs to be replaced rather than only the seal.

Does that make sense to anyone? Are not all seals replaceable?

And last query - why are some fridges 3-4 times more expensive. What do you get for your money?

Thanks.