If the water dispenser slows to a trickle or the ice maker quits during a cold snap, the supply line feeding the fridge has probably frozen. In older New England homes, those lines often run along exterior walls or through unheated basements and crawl spaces. That's where they freeze first.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Can you DIY it? | Often. Gentle thawing and insulating the line. |
| How urgent? | High if the line has split, since you'll get water damage |
Where does a fridge water line freeze?
Along an exterior wall or under a sink cabinet on an outside wall. Old Boston kitchens often have no insulation in those walls.
Through an unheated basement or crawl space. Lines that run under the floor to reach an island fridge are especially exposed.
Inside the fridge itself. The fill tube that runs into the ice maker can freeze if the inlet valve drips. That one happens year-round, not just in winter.
How do I safely thaw a frozen line?
- •Turn off the water at the shutoff valve first, in case the line has split.
- •Find the cold section of line. It's usually the part nearest an outside wall.
- •Warm it with a hair dryer on low, moving constantly. Never use a torch or heat gun.
- •Turn the water back on slowly and watch every fitting for drips.
- •Run the dispenser for a minute to clear air before using the ice maker again.
How do I keep it from happening again?
- •Wrap exposed sections with foam pipe insulation.
- •Reroute the line away from the exterior wall if possible.
- •On the coldest nights, keep cabinet doors open so heated room air reaches the line.
- •Replace old plastic lines with braided stainless, which is more forgiving of temperature swings.
When should I call a technician?
Call if water reaches the fridge but the ice maker still won't fill (that points to the inlet valve or a frozen fill tube), if you find a crack or split, or if you can't locate where the line runs.
Elliott's take
A frozen line is an inconvenience. A burst one is a ceiling repair for the condo downstairs. If you're in a multi-unit building, check the line as soon as the dispenser slows, before the thaw does the damage.
Related: Ice maker repair · Garage Fridge Quitting in Winter? Why Cold Is the Problem
Ice maker stopped in the cold? Call TrueFix Boston at (857) 810-1119 or book online.