Having an ice maker is a great way to help make your day-to-day life even more convenient. Unfortunately, just like any modern convenience, it can come with its own set of possible problems. One possible problem with ice makers is when the water line freezes up. To help you out, we have researched all about what to do when your ice maker's water line freezes so that you have one less headache to worry about!
The first thing you should do is melt the frozen water with a heat source. Next, you need to identify why the line froze. Lastly, think about ordering a new line or making adjustments so that this issue doesn't continue.
It's frustrating when you find ice in the water line of your ice maker. Before you pull your refrigerator away from the wall to deal with the frozen line, there might be more information that you need to fix the issue. Make sure to keep reading down below for a complete look at everything that goes into identifying and dealing with this problem!
What to Do When Your Ice Maker's Water Line Freezes
This issue is uncommon because of modern climate control and technology, but it certainly does still happen. That's why this detailed guide is here to help you deal with it quickly and easily!
You Have To Get Rid Of The Ice
Whatever the solution to this problem is, you can't do it while the line is still iced. One way to melt the ice in the line is to use hot water. You can fill up a cup or container with hot water to safely and slowly pour it over the frozen tubing.
With this strategy, you'll just want to have lots of towels around for the mess. You can try to minimize the mess by holding a towel directly against the bottom of the line, but only if you can do it safely.
A far cleaner method would be to use a blow dryer to melt the ice. Simply plug in the blow dryer and slowly move it over the length of your water line. The biggest downfall with this technique is that your arm might get tired as this process can take a little while.
Why Did My Ice Maker's Water Line Freeze?
Arguably the most important step for solving this problem is identifying why your water line froze. This is because if you don't know what caused it, then it might easily happen again.
Cold Room Temperatures
The culprit for this issue is sometimes cold temperatures. Just like how your pipes can freeze in extreme cold, your ice maker's water line can too.
This is less likely to happen if your kitchen has temperature control, but it's possible if you turn your thermostat too low on a very cold day. Many homes also don't have temperature control, so this may easily happen.
Your Freezer Is Too Cold
The other reason why ice maker water lines sometimes freeze is that your freezer setting is too cold. The cold from the freezer connects to the water, so it makes sense that if that air is extremely cold, it can cause problems. This might also cause just the end of the line connected to the ice maker to start freezing.
How To Keep The Ice Maker Tube From Freezing?
If this happened because of a unique situation, such as unusual extreme cold in your kitchen, then all you might have to do is thaw the ice in your water line.
However, if the temperature is regularly low enough for this to happen, the only real fix is for the room to become temperature regulated. Since that isn't a quick fix, you might want to consider placing a space heater near to line on extra cold days if it's a concern.
To keep your freezer temperature from causing a frozen water line, you should simply turn it down. Most freezers have a dial inside of them that allows you to adjust the temperature. Turn it lower until you find a good setting that no longer causes this issue!
You can also try to find a better-insulated water line from your fridge's ice maker. There are steel braided water lines that help to prevent freezing. It may be enough to stop your water line from freezing in normal low temperatures.
Start looking for insulated ice maker water lines here on Amazon!
What Happens If Your Water Line Was Damaged?
It is also possible for the ice to have damaged the line to your ice maker. After it is defrosted, make sure to look for any leaks at either end of the line; these could signify ice contracting. If you notice a leak, you'll need to order a new hose by first checking with your fridge manufacturer to see what kind you need.
You can purchase lines on their own or in kits if necessary. To replace the broken one first, shut off the water to this line. Next, unhook the broken hose from the ice maker and the pipe it's connected to. Finally, follow the instructions to install it!
Click here to start shopping for ice maker water line kits on Amazon!
Other Ice Maker Water Line Issues
If you believe that your ice maker's water line is causing an issue, but it's not frozen, then it may still be clogged. These water lines can often become clogged from mineral buildup or a clogged filter if applicable to your appliance.
It's also possible for the water line to be clogged by a very small amount of ice. To test out if your line has a clog, you can shut off the water and remove it to make sure that the line is clear. Changing its filter might also help.
What Size Tubing Is The Ice Maker Water Line?
Usually, for refrigerator ice maker water lines, the tubing is 1/4 inch. This is the size of the couplings on either end of the line attaching it to the ice maker and water pipe.
Can I Use Plastic Tubing For An Ice Maker?
Not only can you use plastic tubing for an ice maker's water line, but it's also generally the cheapest option. This is also because of the downside that comes with it.
Plastic tubing is not very well insulated. Not having an insulated water line may not be a big deal in homes with good temperature regulation, but it may easily lead to a frozen water line for others.
If your kitchen usually experiences low temperature you should consider an insulated water line. However, the need for this depends on each home and situation.
Can You Manually Fill An Ice Maker?
You can manually fill your ice maker with water if your water line isn't working correctly. However, manually filling the ice maker kind of defeats the purpose of having one.
Not only that, but if your water line is working and you're also trying to add water manually, it may cause an issue. The best course of action if your ice maker has a water line is to fix it if it isn't working properly.
Final Thoughts
There are only two main causes for an ice maker's water line to freeze. Either the temperature in the room is too cold or the freezer that the line is connected to is.
If the problem is the freezer's temperature, then the fix is quick and easy. However, if the room or home temperature is the problem, then that's a much harder issue to solve long term.
You can melt the ice in the line and make sure that it's still working properly. Hopefully, this helps you fix it quickly so that you can go back to enjoying the convenience of your ice maker!
Make sure to click on the links below to learn more about getting the most out of your ice maker!
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