Walk-In Freezer Ice Building Up on the Floor: Causes and Fix

The Facts

Walk-In Freezer Ice on Floor

What It Usually Is

Evaporator drain line plugged with ice, because the drain-line heater failed or was never insulated.
Drain pan frozen over, so defrost water spills onto the floor instead of leaving through the line.
Defrost heater or defrost timer failed, so the coil ices solid and sheds water everywhere when it finally thaws.
Door gasket, closer, or sweep letting warm air in, which turns into frost on every cold surface.

Check This First

Look at the evaporator: is the coil a block of ice, or is the drain pan under it frozen?
Follow the drain line out of the box. Is it insulated? Is there a heater wire on it? Is the trap outside frozen?
Check the door: does it seal all the way around, and does it close on its own?
Note how often the ice returns. Every four days points at defrost; every day points at the door.

When To Call

Ice is returning within a week of chipping it off.
The coil is a solid block, or the fans are hitting ice.
Product temperature is climbing. A freezer with a plugged drain usually still holds temperature until the coil ices over, then it stops.

What the Repair Usually Costs

A drain-line clear with a new drain heater and insulation is a typical-range walk-in repair. If the defrost heater or a fan motor has also failed, it moves toward the upper half of the range. Current walk-in ranges from our own invoices are on the walk-in cooler repair cost page.

The diagnostic visit turns that range into a number for your unit, and you approve the number before any repair happens.

Condenser coil before and after cleaning by Dirty Works Services

Cold Side

Need the Documents Today?

Text 601-337-1069 with the certificate holder's legal name and address, or email the vendor form. The W-9 and certificate of insurance come back the same business day.

Text the Request

Common Questions

Walk-In Freezer Ice on Floor FAQ

Can I just keep chipping the ice off?

You can, until the coil ices over and the freezer stops holding temperature, usually on a weekend. The fix is a drain line that stays open, which is a one-visit repair.

Why did the drain freeze in the first place?

Most often the drain-line heater failed or the line was never insulated. Freezer air is well below freezing, so any unheated section of drain line ices shut.

Will the ice damage the floor?

Yes over time. Ice lifts floor panels and seams, and water under the panels rots the insulation. Fixing the drain is cheaper than a floor.

Ice on the Walk-In Freezer Floor Again