The Drain Was Open, Then Ice and Water Returned Two Days Later
The technician cleared the line with strong flow and flushed it with warm water. Surface ice returned almost immediately. In the discussion, that recurrence matched a known Sub-Zero repair path rather than an ordinary one-time clog.
Why another cleaning was not the complete answer
A clear drain can remove existing water but cannot prevent the same cold spot from freezing again. Returning ice within two days, after verified flow, changed the question from “is the tube blocked?” to “why does this area repeatedly freeze?”
A similar symptom can have a different cause on another refrigerator. Debris, drain routing, door air leaks and defrost trouble must still be separated before a heater kit is selected.
What the manufacturer kit changes
Technicians described a Sub-Zero kit installed at the bottom of the pan. Depending on the exact model, the kit can include a heater, transformer and replacement evaporator-fan motor. This is a designed assembly with model-specific routing and protection, not a loose heater added to any drain.
Evidence to collect before ordering the kit
- Full model and serial-range eligibility, kept private from publication.
- The exact location where ice first reforms.
- Verified drain flow after the existing ice is removed.
- Door-seal and defrost-system observations.
- Confirmation from Sub-Zero of the current kit and any service program.
How strong is the reported outcome?
The opening technician did not report installing the kit. A different technician said he had installed several and received no callbacks.
A separate case adds a stronger result: the technician sourced the model-specific factory kit, installed the complete assembly and explicitly reported completing the paid repair. He described an additional power supply for the board, connected through the refrigerator's intended power junction below the filter area. The exact kit still has to be selected by model and serial range; this is evidence for the factory repair path, not a wiring template.