Why do fridges leak?

[hottoddy2]

My husband and I recently moved into a rented bungalow and the tall 'Lec' fridge that came with the property leaks water on to the floor every day and drives me nuts.
There is no freezer compartment in the fridge, it is just a fridge.
I did some investigation and found that it leaks regardless of whether the temperature is turned colder or warmer, but more if the temp is turned warmer.
I searched inside the fridge and finally found that the water seems to be coming from inside the fridge. The condensation drain on the back panel is blocked and just fills up and spills over out the fridge. I can't see anything obvious blocking the hole from the inside.
What has caused this problem? Any ideas?
Does this fridge need a specialist to fix it? Is it going to be expensive to fix?
Help please!

[spudqueen]

Is it a self defrosting fridge? If it's anything like mine it will have a tray at the back of the fridge (on the outside!) that needs emptying. If it isn't emptied then the water in the fridge has no where to go and so the drain bit inside the fridge overflows.

[solera]

The condense drain needs to be unblocked you should be able to clear it with a thin stick this will then allow the water to go through the drain and collect onto the top of the compressor where it will vapourise, you often find that a small piece of food blocks the condense drain and can easily be cleared.

[hottoddy2]

There was indeed a tray at the back of this fridge which was bone dry because the pipe draining into it was blocked! I have now unblocked the pipe and, fingers crossed, hopefully this will be the end of the leaky fridge problem.

Thank you so much for your reply. YOU ARE A STAR! You probably saved me �40 (if not more) in a call out fee for a fridge engineer to tell me the same.

THANK YOU!!

[hottoddy2]

Thanks "solera", I will check that pipe too.

Marvellous, Marvellous, Marvellous! Thank you both for caring enough to reply!

:)

[mjwman]

Normally the condensate (water) runs out through a hole where it is directed onto a tray on top of the motor where the heat generated evaporates it.
Your drain hole is probably blocked with organic gunge and simply need rodding through with some wire or similar.

[hottoddy2]

The fridge was blocked inside and outside. Now all fixed and kitchen floor dry for past 2 days. Yippee!! Thanks everyone!