How to clean the drainage hole in the refrigerator with your own hands?

System functions and location

You will have to understand the structure of the refrigerator and learn to troubleshoot minor problems on your own. The reason is a clogged drain if the equipment is found to have:

• condensate;
• freezing;
• foreign odor;
• After the cleaning, the situation did not improve.

The drainage system serves as a way to remove condensation formed during operation of the refrigerator. Modern models made using the drip evaporation type produce condensation behind the unit chamber. The drainage system, despite its apparent simplicity, is important in the operation of the device. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly clean the drain in your refrigerator. It consists of:

• fan;
• evaporation system;
• drainage tube;
• pallet

Automation monitors defrosting. When a certain amount of ice forms, the compressor turns off. In this case, the walls of the chamber heat up, which leads to its melting. The resulting water flows out through the drain hole. Then it drips through the drainage system onto the platform located below the refrigerator. This is why it is important to regularly clean the pipe in the refrigerator. Next, the condensate evaporates into the external environment due to the high temperature of the compressor unit.

Cleaning the drainage system

First, you will have to disassemble the air conditioner. Carefully remove the cover from the air conditioner and remove the black filters. Then bend the lower blade through which the air flow flows and remove the two plugs from under it. Remove the screws. The device must be turned off during all manipulations.

Remove the pan where evaporator condensate accumulates. In order to do this, you must first pull out the black cable from the infrared sensor fixed in the foam, and then unscrew the screws holding the blade motors. That's it, you can pull out the pallet. Pull it a little at a time and with a downward slope. There is a drain hose behind the drain hole that needs to be disconnected. After this, you will finally have access to the drainage pipe. We connect the hose from the pump to the drainage pipe and blow it out. The main thing is that the diameter of the hose and the pipe match. In order to thoroughly rinse and disinfect the pipe and the entire drainage system of the air conditioner, we pump chlorhexidine inside using a pump. This drug is often used for disinfection in hospitals. We will need approximately four vials of the drug. While the liquid is working, we wash the evaporator drain pan itself and its other parts on which dirt and dust have settled.

After fifteen minutes have passed (this is exactly how long it takes for the drug to work), you need to connect a vacuum cleaner to the hose, which will suck out all the dirt that remains in the drainage system. The second option involves turning on the vacuum cleaner in blowing mode. In this way, you will achieve effective removal of residual dirt from the drainage. After this, you can pour one and a half liters of water into the drainage system to check. If water flows freely through the drain hole, then congratulations, you managed to clean the drain pipe yourself. If any difficulties arise when water comes out of the tube, you can repeat the last procedure several more times.

Causes of clogging

The main causes of clogging are identified. These include:

1. Insufficiently frequent or poor-quality cleaning of the refrigerator.
2. Incorrect placement of products. If food is placed close to the chamber wall, then food particles fall into the drain. This happens along with condensation that appears from heating.
3. Arrangement of products without packaging or in insufficiently sealed packaging. Crumbs, particles of food and greens fall into the drain hole. They seal it up.

All this prevents moisture from leaving normally. Therefore, it is important to remember to clean the pipe in the refrigerator.

Methods for cleaning the drain tube in the refrigerator

First you need to disconnect the unit from the electrical network. If water gets on electrical components, it can cause a short circuit in the wiring and cause the unit to catch fire. The device should be freed from shelves and drawers - they may interfere with operation.

If a large amount of ice has formed, you must wait until it melts naturally. It is not allowed to be removed mechanically in order to protect the housing.

Afterwards, you can proceed directly to clearing the blockages. To do this, use tools that are in every home:

1. Cleaning the drain hole in the refrigerator and the gutter leading to it from trapped food particles can be easily done with a cotton swab.
2. To flush the drain hole of the refrigerator, it is recommended to use a rubber bulb or a 10 cc medical syringe. A soap solution consisting of dishwashing detergent and water is drawn into the syringe. The tip is inserted into the drainage system. Press down hard to create pressure. For best results, it is recommended to perform this procedure 2-4 times.
3. The drain tube can also be purged. For this, any hand pump, as well as a small compressor, is used. The result of purging can be checked with a syringe. It's worth checking to see if the tube is blown out.
4. If the above steps do not lead to success, you will have to use a thin copper wire. It is inserted into the tube and moves deeper into the refrigerator. Scrolls a little until its end appears on the compressor side. The tip of the wire is bent in the shape of the letter “G”. Moves up and down with progressive, neat movements. Care and caution must be exercised during this procedure so as not to puncture the drain.
5. When there is a significant blockage and the above measures fail, you will have to remove the tube. At the same time, they clean it with a wire, while simultaneously kneading the debris. This action can only be carried out by clearing the passage to the rear wall of the device. This will give access to the system and water tray. After cleaning, everything must be installed back.
6. How to clean the drain in a refrigerator with No Frost installed. Cleaning the drainage system in versions without ice formation is a little more difficult. The drainage hole is located in the freezing chamber. To gain access, you need to remove the special plug behind which it is located. Because of this feature of such refrigerators, professionals do not recommend carrying out this procedure on their own. If you have a little practice in analyzing the equipment, then such a difficulty should not stop you. It is possible to clean the drain tube in the refrigerator using the same methods as described above for modifications of drip evaporation.

As you can see, coping with the task of cleaning the drainage system is not so difficult. However, it is recommended to prevent clogging by regularly cleaning the walls and shelves of the equipment from unwanted contaminants.

Methods for cleaning the drain hole

There are different cleaning methods, depending on the severity of the clog. The easiest option is to clean the drain hole with a special brush, which you can buy at a plumbing store. You can also use a cotton swab instead of a brush. Cleaning the drainage hole is carried out by analogy with the ear canals: carefully and shallowly insert a brush/stick, scroll, and remove. Repeat until the cotton wool on the stick is clean.

Cleaning the drainage hole with a special brush

This can also be done using a regular medical syringe or rubber bulb. You need to take warm water and forcefully inject it into the tube; accordingly, this is done after defrosting the refrigerator. The described action must be performed several times, and the water can be diluted with detergent.

Flushing drainage with a blower

For the third cleaning method, you need to defrost the refrigerator and leave it to dry for 6-10 hours. After this, prepare a long thin wire and push the remaining food through it. But be careful: under no circumstances should you damage the tube. You need to clean the drain from both sides. Next, you need to rinse the hole with warm water. You can also clean the hole by removing the drain pipe, this way you will achieve a better result.

Cable for cleaning the drainage hole

All of these methods are applicable to cleaning the drain in the refrigerator compartment, but the drainage compartment in the freezer also needs the procedure. It is strongly not recommended to clean the latter yourself, since it is deep and there is a possibility of damaging the mechanisms. In this case, you should contact professionals.

How to use specialty chemicals

In addition to routine cleaning of the drain hole in the refrigerator, it is recommended to disinfect it annually. This is a prerequisite to prevent the growth of bacteria. There are special chemical compositions used for the prevention and prompt removal of bacterial deposits on the walls of equipment:

1. Dezavid . The product contains special bactericidal chemical compounds. Application is simple. It is necessary to draw the composition into a syringe or syringe. Fill the drain tube with it. It is recommended to seal it from the reverse side. After 6-8 minutes, rinse the drainage part of the equipment with plain water.
2. The composition Kenolux Eco Dez is popular. The content of nonionic surfactants and some modifications of ammonium compounds is the active ingredient. Application is not difficult. It is necessary to draw the composition into a syringe or syringe. Fill the tube with it. As in the previous version, they seal it from the reverse side. After 10 minutes, you need to clean the drain hole in the refrigerator from any remaining substances with water.
3. The cheapest option is cleaning with hydrogen peroxide. In addition to the main substance, the composition includes sodium. To use, fill the drainage system with the composition using a syringe or syringe, first closing the tube at the other end. Next, you need to leave the filled system for 10-15 minutes. Drain the mixture by removing the plug. Washing with water is not necessary.

Above are the most effective options for cleaning the refrigerator drain.

What to do to clean the drain hole less often

Cleaning the drain hole must be carried out for preventive purposes. However, the number of cleanings can be reduced by following basic rules for operating refrigeration equipment.

Firstly , regularly wash the internal surfaces, which will avoid the accumulation of small debris. Secondly , do not forget to return the device that covers the drainage hole. Thirdly , try not to touch it with packaging material or products.

Problems arising from lack of proper care

Poor performance of the drainage tube can lead to disastrous consequences. The main ones include:

1. A musty odor may appear inside the refrigerator compartments. Eliminating it is very problematic. Special tools will be required.
2. Due to the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, microorganisms and mold in the refrigerator, it becomes dangerous. At the same time, storing food is almost impossible. Therefore, you should clean the drain in your refrigerator regularly.
3. Accumulation of moisture at the bottom of the unit can cause rust to form on metal parts. There is also a danger of short circuiting electrical components. And this can already lead to a fire.

Attention should be paid not only to cleaning the tube in the refrigerator, but also to the entire device. Do not forget about the importance of regular cleaning, disinfection and proper food storage system. Take care of it correctly, and then the refrigerator will be able to delight you with its impeccable and uninterrupted operation for a long time.