Preventing Ice Maker Leaks in a Chicago Home

1/23/2017 (Permalink)

Chicago Ice Maker Can Cause Extensive Water Damage

Inspect and Replace Defective Parts or Call SERVPRO for Help

Ice makers are a great convenience item to have in your home. You do not ever have to worry about those annoying ice trays again, or someone not refilling them and you running out of ice. When you add this device in your home, you need to be aware of some things first. The installer should use a small metal saddle, called an ice maker valve, that is attached to a cold-water pipe close to the refrigerator. The kits for ice makers usually include a clear plastic water pipe fitted to the valve and the water inlet on the fridge. This flexible piece of plastic tubing is the biggest culprit for a leak and water damage.

Miniscule holes in the tubing are unnoticeable during installation in your kitchen, and stay unnoticed for years, hidden behind your refrigerator. Over time, many gallons of water seeping out the tubing can cause serious structural water damage in Chicago to the floor systems and walls around the refrigerator. This water damage means you need professional help from SERVPRO, a water damage remediation company. Our experienced technicians have the tools and the knowledge to fix any water damage these types of leaks can cause.

Preventing Ice Maker Water Damage
There is usually a shut-off valve in modern homes that is installed inside a wall panel behind the refrigerator. Here, soft copper tubing is used to connect the valve to the ice maker. Fractures or pinhole leaks to the copper tubing are possible, however not as likely as with the plastic tubing. Two things to prevent water damage include using copper tubing for the connection and installing a battery-operated flood alarm. When positioned properly, the battery-operated alarm, which is inexpensive, reacts to a water pooling problem. This alarm can be used in a basement, kitchen, near water heaters, or any other appliance near a water source. These devices can be easily found and purchased.

When your ice maker does fail for any reason, SERVPRO can step in and help you right away. SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago City can respond to an emergency quickly and efficiently. We understand that water damage of any kind can halt the daily routines of your home. Just pick up your phone and dial (773) 337-3900 whenever you need us.