Do you have an ice maker in your home? If so, there is a good chance that it has leaked at some point. There are many reasons why this may happen, but the most common is due to a malfunctioning water valve. In this article, we will discuss the ways that leaking ice makers occur and how homeowners can prevent them from happening again.
Ice Maker: What is it?
An ice maker is a machine that makes and stores cubes of frozen water. These machines can be found in homes, restaurants, food storage facilities, hospitals, and many other locations. They are utilized to store large quantities of iced drinks without the need for constant refilling or melting from warm temperatures.
A typical home ice maker operates using electricity and water. The installation of an ice maker typically requires a low voltage outlet, water supply line, drain pipe (in case the machine leaks), and external condensing unit if needed.
Ice makers are designed for optimum convenience – homeowners can store plenty of iced drinks without needing to refresh their stock every few hours as they would with regular ice cubes.
Causes
Ice makers are designed for optimum convenience – homeowners can store plenty of iced drinks without needing to refresh their stock every few hours as they would with regular ice cubes.
However, problems arise when the water inlet valve malfunctions or becomes clogged by minerals that have built upon it. This means an automatic shut-off will not be triggered and will allow water to continually flow into the ice maker.
Ice makers with a top-loader design are more prone to leaks due to their level of exposure – they do not have any protection from spills or drips that may occur on them because they sit directly above the kitchen countertop.
If an ice machine has been idle for a few days, it may have started to leak without the homeowner realizing it.
What Should you Do?
If your ice maker is leaking, you need to first determine whether it’s a leak in the water line or the unit itself. You can usually fix this problem by replacing either the anode rod or water filter cartridge; if neither of these are available for purchase, then call a professional. If you know which part needs replacement and can get your hands on it, then you can replace it yourself.
To fix the leak in the water line, make sure to turn off power to and unplug the refrigerator for safety reasons before removing or repairing this water line connection. Next, shut-off the incoming cold water supply valve at its source (usually under a sink) by turning its knob to the left. Once this is done, you can remove and replace your water line in order for it to stop leaking.
You may have noticed that some new ice makers are made with a plastic body instead of metal – these machines require a little extra care while washing them because they’re more prone to scratches or cracks from harsh detergents or scrubbing.
If you’ve tried the above steps and your ice maker is still leaking, then it might be time to contact a refrigerator repair professional for help.
Ice Maker Leaks: Originate Outside the Ice Maker
If your leak is coming from outside the ice maker and around the cold water supply line connection, you may need to tighten it. To fix this issue:
-Shut off the incoming cold water supply valve at its source (usually under a sink) by turning its knob to the left. Once this is done, you can remove and replace your ice maker’s water supply line connection.
-Use the appropriate socket wrench to remove and reattach it securely with a stainless steel or copper washer that seals tightly inside the hose coupler, which will prevent leaks.
Leaking Ice Maker – Long Term Effects
If your ice maker is leaking water into the freezer compartment, and you don’t repair it soon enough, this can lead to mold growth. Mold spores are very small in size and float through the air before they enter a home. The only way to remove them once they have entered homes is by using an industrial-strength cleaner that contains bleach.
Another way that leaks can have long term effects is if the ice maker is leaking inside your home. This will cause water damage to drywall, carpets and other flooring materials like hardwood or tile.
If you are having problems with your older model of refrigerator where it has a tube that leads from the back of the unit to an exterior wall, then this might be because there was a leak that caused the tube to freeze and burst.
