MECH-WATER-LEAK
Whirlpool · Whirlpool WRT318FZDW 18 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator
Water is pooling inside the refrigerator, in the bottom of the freezer, or on the floor under the unit. The most common cause is a clogged defrost drain. The defrost drain tube carries melt water from the defrost cycle to a drain pan at the bottom rear of the refrigerator. If this tube is clogged with ice or debris, water backs up into the freezer bottom or overflows into the refrigerator compartment. Clear the drain by flushing warm water through it (using a turkey baster) from inside the freezer. The drain opening is at the bottom of the evaporator cover panel in the freezer.
Error MECH-WATER-LEAK on the Whirlpool Whirlpool WRT318FZDW 18 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator means: Water Leaking Inside or Under Refrigerator. The top-ranked community fix is “Remove and Replace Defrost Drain Tube” (hard difficulty, ~60 min, DIY cost: $15-$25). 2 community-ranked fixes available below.
Published February 2026 · 2 fixes · refrigerator
Content is based on manufacturer service documentation, community repair experience, and OEM technical bulletins. Always verify with your owner's manual.Learn about our editorial standards.
While many refrigerator repairs can be done safely at home, consider hiring a qualified technician if:
Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150-$220.
Defrost Bimetal/Thermostat Failure
Defrost Heater Failure
Defrost Timer/Board Failure
Communication Fault
Compressor Click-and-Buzz Failure
Frost/Ice Buildup in Freezer
Ice Maker Not Making Ice
Refrigerator Making Loud Noise
The Whirlpool Whirlpool WRT318FZDW 18 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator has 8 other known error codes:
Error code MECH-WATER-LEAK also appears on 2 other Whirlpool models:
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