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About This Article
If your refrigerator is misbehaving, don’t call the repair service yet.
The following information will walk you through the simplest solutions to the most common fridge malfunctions. Chances are, you can solve the problem yourself, save some money and avoid the inconvenience of a service appointment.
Problem: Icemaker On Strike
First, Check the Water Inlet Tube for Ice.
The tube that supplies water to your icemaker can get plugged with ice when the water pressure is low. The trickling water freezes and plugs the tube before it reaches the icemaker.
Second, Unblock the Saddle Valve
Most icemakers are connected to the household water supply by a “saddle” valve. One problem with saddle valves is that the needle hole in the pipe can clog. Fortunately, that blockage is easy to clear once you locate the saddle valve. If you have an unfinished basement, you’ll probably find a tube beneath the fridge that leads to the valve. Otherwise, look under your kitchen sink.
Third, Replace the Water Inlet Valve
At the back of your fridge, there’s a small electric “inlet valve” that turns the water supply to the icemaker on and off. Before you replace the valve, make sure water is flowing to it: Turn off the water at the saddle valve and disconnect the supply tube from the inlet valve. Hold the tube over a bucket and have a helper turn on the saddle valve. If water flows out of the tube, the water supply is fine and chances are the inlet valve is bad. See below for help finding a new valve ($25 to $35). When the job is done, turn the water back on and check for leaks before you push the fridge back into place.
Problem: The Fridge Produces Puddles
The water supply lines that serve icemakers or water dispensers can leak and make pools under the fridge. But a fridge without these features can create water problems too. Every fridge produces water in the form of condensation and melting ice. When the system that deals with this water fails, you can end up with puddles inside and outside of the fridge.
First, Check the Water Supply Line
If your fridge has an icemaker or water dispenser, pull out the fridge and look for a leak. If there’s a leak at the inlet valve ), tighten the compression nuts. If the plastic or copper tube is leaking, replace it. Tubing is usually connected to the saddle valve and inlet valve with screw-on compression fittings.
Second, Level the Fridge.
Water drains into a pan under the fridge where it evaporates. If your fridge is badly tilted, water can spill out of the pan. Leveling the fridge solves this problem.
Third, Clear the Drain Tube
If the drain tube in the freezer gets plugged, water leaks into the compartment below or onto the floor. To unplug it, first remove the cover panel. In some models, you have to unscrew the floor panel too. Use a hair dryer to melt any ice buildup. Sop away the melt water with a sponge. Then clean up around the drain hole. Blow air through the tube to clear it. Any tube that fits tightly into the hole will work. You can also use a tire pump or air compressor (turn the pressure down to 30 psi).
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