Appliance Repair in 19034 · Ambler, Fort Washington & Flourtown

Ice makers and water dispensers cause a large share of refrigerator service calls, and most of the problems start with the water supply rather than the refrigerator itself. The supply line behind the fridge is usually thin plastic or copper tubing, sometimes with a braided hose, connected to a valve under the sink or in the basement. A kinked line, a valve that was never fully opened, or a saddle valve that has clogged can all leave the ice maker empty.

Inside the refrigerator, the water filter is the next suspect. An old or poorly seated filter slows the flow, and slow flow means small, hollow cubes or a dispenser that only trickles. The water inlet valve on the back of the refrigerator can also fail or clog with sediment, and the fill tube into the ice maker can freeze if the freezer runs too cold or the valve leaks.

Leaks are the other side of the story. A cracked line or a loose fitting can drip for weeks behind a refrigerator before anyone notices the warped flooring. If you see water under the fridge, shut off the supply valve and have the line and inlet valve checked before the floor takes more damage.

Find the water shutoff that feeds the refrigerator, often under the kitchen sink or in the basement below. Clear the space in front of the refrigerator so it can be rolled out, and note when you last changed the filter. Most homes here have driveways, so keep one spot open.