Editing Openai/69237ac6-14b0-8008-a221-f6a18f92046b (section)

=== Assistant: Good catch. ===
Good catch. Yep — that broken piece is probably related to your leak, and there are a few likely culprits. Here’s what to check, what might be going wrong, and what parts you can order to fix it.

==== What’s Probably Going On ====
# Clogged or Damaged Defrost Drain - In Whirlpool refrigerators, a super common cause of water pooling inside (or leaking out) is the defrost drain. Melt water from the evaporator should flow through a drain hole and into a tube, then go down to a drain pan underneath the fridge. Whirlpool<ref>{{cite web|title=Whirlpool|url=https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/refrigerator-leaking-water.html|publisher=whirlpool.com|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref> - If that drain is clogged (food debris, ice, etc.), the water backs up and floods inside. Whirlpool<ref>{{cite web|title=Whirlpool|url=https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/refrigerator-leaking-water.html|publisher=whirlpool.com|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref> - On your model (WRX735SDBM00), parts like the drain tube are known to fail or crack. Appliance Parts Pros<ref>{{cite web|title=Appliance Parts Pros|url=https://www.appliancepartspros.com/repair-help/whirlpool-refrigerator-wrx735sdbm00-repair/wrx735sdbm00-leaking.html|publisher=Appliance Parts Pros|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref> - According to Whirlpool’s own troubleshooting, when the defrost drain backs up, you’ll often see water building up inside and sometimes leaking out around the door or bottom. Whirlpool<ref>{{cite web|title=Whirlpool|url=https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/refrigerator-leaking-water.html|publisher=whirlpool.com|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref> - You can locate the drain by removing crisper drawers or freezer back panel. AppliancesFirst<ref>{{cite web|title=AppliancesFirst|url=https://appliancesfirst.com/where-is-the-defrost-drain-on-whirlpool-refrigerator/|publisher=appliancesfirst.com|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref>
# Overflowing Drain Pan / Crack in the Pan - Underneath the fridge there's a drip/evaporation pan that catches defrost water. Appliance Parts Pros<ref>{{cite web|title=Appliance Parts Pros|url=https://www.appliancepartspros.com/repair-help/whirlpool-refrigerator-wrx735sdbm00-repair/wrx735sdbm00-leaking.html|publisher=Appliance Parts Pros|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref> - If that pan is cracked or warped, water won’t stay there — it can leak out. Appliance Parts Pros<ref>{{cite web|title=Appliance Parts Pros|url=https://www.appliancepartspros.com/repair-help/whirlpool-refrigerator-wrx735sdbm00-repair/wrx735sdbm00-leaking.html|publisher=Appliance Parts Pros|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref> - Several folks with the same model have reported that problem: > “I wake up … to find a puddle … I find the pan under the fridge is overflowing … small fan can't keep up …”  > Reddit > +1
# Water Line / Ice Maker Issues - There’s a possibility that a misaligned water line or a leak in the inlet valve / fill cup of the ice maker is causing excess water. Whirlpool<ref>{{cite web|title=Whirlpool|url=https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/kitchen/ice-maker-leaking-water.html|publisher=whirlpool.com|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref> - Some users say their ice maker’s funnel freezes up, backing water into places it shouldn’t. Reddit<ref>{{cite web|title=Reddit|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/homeowners/comments/1abm6qo|publisher=reddit.com|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref>

==== Parts to Order / Replace ====

Here are some replacement parts that are commonly used for this kind of leak in your model. (Yes, fridge repair is part plumbing.)

!Drain Tube W10619951<ref>{{cite web|title=Drain Tube W10619951|url=https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-1/nL758ZpzpjygeZFLugImqeOx6cfXiYheRIVenKroH-YZqV26DKwdHl-A-c3Ixt-QkiI97wsT9ceMCV2tmD_NZ2ODBcN8sFGI0dNDeRd3ygGmXS51VC4UZx4dTbll9mnSgfFTvlxR2hi1xDwQXf0ICakrd5DZna41JhY8wOi6cpOAPVDL0jbsEywhsf45Xtypym7LfivL6F9Y4QugokmQJzGzxSJvaDJTDvZRmcno1wUanyEY68eno0EcFGvMUFLUGJd9Bi65zj_20PdPayLxDw|publisher=Drain Tube W10619951|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref>
Drain Tube W10619951$16.70•Walmart - Seller + others!Evaporator Drain Pan W11457241<ref>{{cite web|title=Evaporator Drain Pan W11457241|url=https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-1/wj5OmxezrLxvabxq-4338UqcrQtRzcLVXbxvGDjwm2lY5h0AkWj6hhybvsfPkLTC_amqOefzUGF09MiqKghCTVInvZZ125yyvecYa9gPhHfhBwd83AT7jyKljhEMlXKdWCx7IrK16cmT7ap4ge5TjL3ysRDVzapqUq62JgsKNis6yGfB2Bm72AD3rWGJ1euQxn36_oJmvZHmmlPnP3hVeACoz0qt6HWXgrKl57phThQpBI_oyoHvUOV1p97cUdWIcCqomW2xfZO77vbtCQdnWQ|publisher=Evaporator Drain Pan W11457241|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref>
Evaporator Drain Pan W11457241$49.99•iFixit + others!Drain Pan / Defrost Drain Pan W10633582<ref>{{cite web|title=Drain Pan / Defrost Drain Pan W10633582|url=https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-1/eJGHC32UxFWyWprlpeWl7fdI1DxQ_Gm7axRBSrzc6CiUqViE-fR5dOwUVhn5kBhk1J2IPWssFcof_aQsDA-QbdCWx8a8O9Vfl1eJKyoYFIZQ1YYhFc92vrSyiYqnpvHSAoqf4vF5IK6Cj364VW30Q-C7S7NVOlyYU5Ij_WbG122ieInDi0cZH3HRoLteG5SFUc0x66iTP6rydHuPZ0CMmQ|publisher=Drain Pan / Defrost Drain Pan W10633582|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref>
Drain Pan / Defrost Drain Pan W10633582$42.21•Sears PartsDirect!Drain Pump Assembly W11539855<ref>{{cite web|title=Drain Pump Assembly W11539855|url=https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-1/BtueITOVlVQWzMEHVQoUKn8QSlMPex6g1u3K0rl64cvG405pa7e7BgXOSGjuR4ueC5o4URzxQTClXuB4xCohIfkm9LT58lPbbjU4E90AzTzilAt5m-NrB7Jebt5X6RzgzQKJL8zU49NnAqucxwuDE_TWTPHWYNtSIRj-UobiMoI_BczAGNI3xuK0GuBhs3zySoxETCMYzCuGpZx2ftU-_LQqe7ZiZLA68oD4V4A5LRwf2b1w8W-dt0pFnC6SbSvrYWJvHV1tKFc3PXi_DLbR8w|publisher=Drain Pump Assembly W11539855|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref>
Drain Pump Assembly W11539855$347.99•iFixit!Drain Tube Kit W10309238 \(or alt\)<ref>{{cite web|title=Drain Tube Kit W10309238 \(or alt\)|url=https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-1/wWqXkSB74wngOX_1Ye_UW80n4kJbF6uAFNDQMwB3monIu9rYlxIJkl7rNxb5ZFjMjOZOQh8rbxTOT5iI-WA8qhpvn2ZqeTZ2QC6mtRELbM7Q0POr4Cz75Do-cIWw5E4Pcj3NzRORaMJFGENpRqINdytEbyOVpx2M5QKTaANGDhTZsUbaD4Ul1274qZQH5LPChwm-KtXBExIrRavZt78godAWRsDg9XuRLLoT-PzWCPYt-v21-Ntpaf9XTCzjsLTV|publisher=Drain Tube Kit W10309238 \(or alt\)|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref>
Drain Tube Kit W10309238 (or alt)$26.93•Walmart - Seller!Alternate Drain Tube W10646247<ref>{{cite web|title=Alternate Drain Tube W10646247|url=https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-1/7z32hplcg2XtS5logiDaD4BN0wRdMw0MYf9aULoS05aOpYEzIBg3jalYKmw8it2cg61W6jHDk3qPJOv03Qtcs4B59lrDzrsgr3bQQlMhFsjAry7eP4jqXLM9oFlrPKEkeNvuyfRzl9QACoJ9I_UMMvBNRdptheHoC5XSDM6vIcHkeWFmW7AroxZSjB13QL5k1pi_fzTPEtWng_ySylBNlgEyqeBW_KpyqeEvBFvECDsTjjeybCgn6uDm_dQMuPp4|publisher=Alternate Drain Tube W10646247|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref>
Alternate Drain Tube W10646247$15.90•Sears PartsDirect!Defrost Drain Tray / Trough<ref>{{cite web|title=Defrost Drain Tray / Trough|url=https://images.openai.com/thumbnails/url/M6agh3icDcndEkJAGADQJ1oq8jfTNEyNaDCNjbhpWESFrf2W8lS9Tm9T5_Z8PzUAZYYolh15vimUBYK8k4QLgwwaIpC-FVndU9p0l_Vj9T_D9AvdJuF8dLBC5-EVPDlOLaSq54FP0pI6RxLvIdPedwmf0muOz0hL-6rE4Y5HJHCB2xby7ZCatyqIlJgttvcZistOHpVN4fKXrvCDm2NpYHWyabNEH6bZVPn6jrSe-QNw6D4r|publisher=Defrost Drain Tray / Trough|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref>
Defrost Drain Tray / Trough$31.43•D&L Parts Company!Defrost Drain Tube Kit \(RP\-style\)<ref>{{cite web|title=Defrost Drain Tube Kit \(RP\-style\)|url=https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-1/oiy24x6tZkrxQGgtCNIWbqegLO71MpBf9HAjytG2ae4hbF_C3QVsuLFmk_MarmuRz1S6Z5vvaYoZBLIISjgtsljaOOrzVPBwkvtOg8F58RFa29cAFiys4RHu1uPALagZvVeNkrKwO4XsI1DlLzQnKSCBuVhLSueW85QQM_tdD4zATLLOBOSOWztqJu_U40_vFeuP3p1qSQO5iVvoXn4kn-4c0bzlgE_6cHzW-hj2Xn4|publisher=Defrost Drain Tube Kit \(RP\-style\)|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref>
Defrost Drain Tube Kit (RP-style)$24.33•Walmart - TREND KART
Here are a few to highlight:
* Whirlpool Drain Tube W10619951 — This is the OEM defrost drain tube. If yours is cracked or broken, this is likely the part you need.
* Whirlpool Evaporator Drain Pan Kit W11457241 — This replaces the pan under the fridge that catches meltwater.
* Whirlpool Defrost Drain Pan W10633582 — Another OEM pan option.
* Whirlpool Drain Pump Assembly W11539855 — If the water isn’t moving well on its own (or if you suspect the old pump is bad), this is the electric option.
* Drain Tube Kit W10309238 — A complete kit that may make replacement cleaner / easier.

==== What to Do (Step-by-Step) ====
# Pull the Fridge Out - Turn off power. - Unplug (safest). - Move the unit out so you can access the back / underside.
# Inspect the Drain Hole - Open the freezer / fridge, remove drawers to get to the back wall. Appliance Update<ref>{{cite web|title=Appliance Update|url=https://applianceupdate.com/where-is-the-defrost-drain-tube-on-a-whirlpool-refrigerator/|publisher=Appliance Update|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref> - Look for a drain hole/trough. - Check if there’s ice or gunk blocking it.
# Clear the Clog - Use warm water in a turkey baster, or a piece of soft tubing, to flush it. (Many guides suggest this.) Sears Home Services<ref>{{cite web|title=Sears Home Services|url=https://www.searshomeservices.com/symptom/whirlpool-refrigerator-leaking-water|publisher=Sears Home Services|access-date=2025-11-24}}</ref> - If the tube itself (the piece you saw broken) is damaged, remove it and install a new one.
# Inspect the Drain Pan - From the back or bottom, check for cracks or damage in the pan. - If cracked / damaged — swap in the new pan you ordered.
# Run a Test - After replacing / clearing, plug the fridge back in. - Pour a little warm water into the drain hole / trough to simulate a defrost drain cycle. - Watch the pan under the fridge to make sure the water goes there and doesn’t overflow.
# Monitor for Future Issues - If the drain was freezing or clogging frequently, you might need to check every few months. - Make sure the fridge is level (if it's tilted, water might pool weirdly).

==== My Verdict (Nerd Mentor Mode) ====
* Yes — that broken piece can absolutely cause the kind of leak you're describing.
* It’s very likely the defrost drain tube is either clogged, cracked, or both.
* Replacing the tube + possibly the drain pan should fix it if that’s the only issue.
* Do the physical inspection first (clog, hole, pan), then order the parts before replacing, unless you're already sure that piece is bad.

If you like, I can look up exact parts for your fridge serial/model (WRX735SDBM00) from reliable U.S.-based sellers (fast shipping) — I can send links. Do you want me to do that?