How Often Should You Replace Your Refrigerator Water Line? There's no set time frame for replacing your refrigerator water line, but it's generally a good idea to have it checked every few years. However, if you notice any of the signs listed above, it's a good idea to have the water line inspected as soon as possible.
As refrigerators age, the components within them, including the water line, may begin to wear out or degrade, increasing the likelihood of malfunctions or failures. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial for identifying potential issues before they escalate into costly repairs or replacements.
No, they don't. Buy your own water line. Don't use the old water line from your old refrigerator, because bacteria and germs are in that line after so many years, germs like water and the water line is deteriorating too, it could break at anytime.
Refrigerator water line repair costs $140 to $200 on average for replacing the water dispenser and ice-maker tubing. If the fridge isn't near a sink, then replacing the water supply line costs $275 to $550 depending on if the pipes are plastic or copper.
Just like any other appliance, leaving the lines uncleaned for prolonged periods may encourage the growth of bacteria and molds. Additionally, water that flows through our refrigerator's line may be hard, meaning it has dissolved an excessive amount of minerals, especially magnesium and calcium.
How Often Should You Replace Your Refrigerator Water Line? There's no set time frame for replacing your refrigerator water line, but it's generally a good idea to have it checked every few years. However, if you notice any of the signs listed above, it's a good idea to have the water line inspected as soon as possible.
Research says that you should do some intense maintenance every six to 12 months on your water line. If you don't, this can cause a buildup of bacteria. Sometimes even a gradual buildup of calcium in your water dispenser. This can slow down the flow of water and make it less cooling.
Control Board. The control board is one of the most expensive refrigerator parts to fix, at between $80 and $800, because no part of the appliance can function without it.
If installation and connection to the water line was included in the purchase, then you normally would hire a plumber to make the connection to the water line.
To check the water inlet valve, unplug the refrigerator, turn off the water supply, and remove the rear panel. Check the valve and connected lines for any leaks or damage. An issue with a water inlet valve can also stem from power not reaching it effectively.
While refrigerators with a water line remain popular, they are not always necessary. There are refrigerator models that don't have a water line, but you'll need to sacrifice an automatic ice maker or built in water dispenser. However, there is an advantage to losing these features on your refrigerator.
As the fridge ages, its water supply line becomes weaker. General wear, water pressure, and refrigerator movements result in small cracks in the line's plastic. A small leak can go unnoticed for days or weeks, or the line can rupture, spilling water and flooding the kitchen.
In most cases, installing a water line to your fridge is a manageable DIY project. The key to success is having the right plumbing supplies and materials to complete the job correctly.
Ice maker: You can't make ice without water! The water line feeds tap water into your freezer directly so that its ice maker can work. Water dispenser: You also get chilled water through the water line as processed by your refrigerator. Defrosting: Some refrigerators use the water line to defrost them as well.
The most common causes of refrigerator water line leaks are clogged drains, mold buildup, damaged tubing, loose valves and kinks in the line. Typical fixes include flushing the drains, treating the mold, replacing damaged tubing, tightening valves and straightening out line kinks.
While water supply lines to refrigerators can be made of different materials like copper, plastic types and braided stainless steel, the good news is with adapters, most ice-maker supply lines should be able to connect to most refrigerators.
If you're installing a new water line for your refrigerator, you can expect the cost to install a water line for a refrigerator to fall around $100, with costs commonly ranging from $75 to $130.
Experts claim that you should also replace your refrigerator water line hose at least every three to five years. That's because, over time, your hose can slowly fill with bacteria and calcium, leading not only to sanitary issues, but also to blockages and — you guessed it — burst pipes.
Most refrigerators are designed to last between 10 and 20 years. If you're having any other problems on this list and the fridge is over ten years old, you'll probably save more money in the long run by simply replacing it. Otherwise, you could sink money into repairs for a fridge already on its way out.
But even if your refrigerator isn't under warranty, the good news is that the average cost of refrigerator repairs is between $200 to $400, which is significantly less than the cost of a new fridge. So, check that warranty before you make any decisions.
Choosing the Right Water Line
The most common types of water lines for refrigerators are made of braided stainless steel, plastic or copper 1/4-inch tubing. Flexible and easy to install, all these materials work well in tight spaces. Plastic water lines are budget friendly but copper tubing lasts longer.
If our fridge water dispenser seems blocked or is spraying water at the dispensing point, the most likely cause is a clogged water line or tube. We need to check the entire line for damage, a clog, or a bend in the line. If the line is bent, we should try to straighten it.
If the refrigerator water dispenser is not working but the ice maker is, your water pressure could be to blame. Your fridge needs less pressure to make ice than it does to dispense water. Check your refrigerator's manual to see the necessary water psi for both to function.
It can grow mold, algae, and if you have hard water – it can become clogged with mineral deposits. If this is the case, you may be better off just pulling the water lines out and replacing them. However, in older models of refrigerators, you will find that some simply do not let you change out the water lines.