Having water leak from an ice maker on a Kenmore refrigerator is hardly a good sign at all. In the case of water leakage, the ice maker fails to work properly or works slowly. It can also cause damage to the freezer.
It might even take the form of permanent damage. An ice maker that leaks water needs to be identified and fixed immediately.
Where is my Kenmore refrigerator ice maker leaking water?
Let’s walk through this section to know where is my Kenmore refrigerator ice maker leaking water –
Leaking water into the bin:
Water leakage in the ice bin is the most common problem with ice makers. A leak in the ice bin will cause all the cubes in the bin to come together into one large piece. Meanwhile, all the ice is freezing together and overflowing the water.
Water may leak from the bin if there is an ice jam. A frozen fill-tube can leak water into the bin. This prevented the water from passing through the ice maker, which caused it to leak.
Leaking water in the freezer:
Water can leak from the ice maker into the freezer. There can be two main causes of such a problem. The ice bin may have frozen over and a block of ice has melted, causing water to leak from it. Or water may be leaking from the drain.
Leaking water on the floor:
There is always a chance of frequent water spillage on the floor from the ice maker. In most cases, water leaks from the freezer’s water line fittings to the floor if they are not well connected.
Excessive water pressure can also cause this problem if too much water enters the ice maker. Clogged Defrost-Drain can also cause leakage in the floor.
Leaking water into the ice bucket:
Ice buckets leak water because of excessive water flow. The water in the freezer cannot usually freeze when the temperature rises. And this water accumulates in the ice bucket and starts leaking.
Why is my Kenmore refrigerator ice maker leaking water?
Water leakage from the Kenmore Refrigerator ice maker is often caused by a faulty fill tube. The ice maker can also leak water if it has low water pressure, blocked drains, or damaged filters. In many cases, ice in the ice bucket causes this problem.
Let’s know more about the common problems and their solutions –
Faulty Fill tube and Cup:
Kenmore coldspot ice maker is filled with water through the fill tube. It fills the containers for producing ice cubes. The flow of water cannot reach the cup if there is a problem with the fill tube. This can cause water leakage within the freezer.
Solution:
If you are using a Kenmore elite French door refrigerator, open the door. Open the lid of the ice maker, then take out the ice bucket. Locate the Fill-tube with Ice Maker. Undo the screws on the fill-tube and inspect if it is malfunctioning. It should be replaced if necessary.
Frozen Fill Tube:
The fill tube may become frozen if the temperature in the freezer loses equilibrium. There is always water in this tube. As a result, if it is frozen, the water will not be able to reach the ice maker and could leak on the floor.
Solution:
Pull out the fill tube for the ice maker. Run hot water through it. Hot water will cause the ice to melt. Or, you can even turn off the freezer and keep the door open for a while. The frozen fill tube will be melted soon.
Low Water pressure:
A valve controls the flow of water into the ice maker. The water pressure controls the valve. Once the ice maker is filled with water, the valve closes under the water pressure. This requires a minimum water pressure of 20 PSI.
In the absence of sufficient water pressure, the Kenmore Coldspot ice maker may overflow and leak water.
Solution:
Remove the water supply pipe from the freezer and check the water pressure. Increase the pressure if necessary. If your home’s water pressure is low, replace the valve and install a low-pressure valve.
Ice Jams:
As the freezer temperature drops and a leak occurs, the ice cubes from the ice bucket join together and become large chunks. This leads to continuous leaking of water into the bin.
Solution:
Take the ice bucket out of the ice maker. Leave it at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Remove the ice when it begins to melt after a while. Reinstall the ice bucket afterward.
Curved-level freezer:
Side by Side Refrigerator If it is bent in any direction, it may cause water leakage from the ice maker. From the ice maker to the ice dispenser, the cubes move forward by the force of gravity. If the freezer is not leveled properly, these cannot be done in front of the ice.
Solution:
There are different types of tools available for level measuring. Use them to see if the level of the freezer is right. If not, adjust the level. Then there will be no more water leakage.
Condensation Drains:
Water that is leftover in the freezer and water that is produced by melting the ice is drained through a pipe. The drains in the freezer can become clogged if dirt collects there. Due to the freezing of ice, the flow of water may completely stop.
Excess water can then accumulate in the freezer. Eventually, it began to leak.
Solution:
It is important to keep the condensation drains clean to keep the freezer hygienic. Locate the condensation drains in your freezer. They are typically found at the bottom of the back of most freezers. Then clean it if there is any dirt in it.
In case the line is blocked by ice, switch off the freezer. Pour some hot water into the condensation drains. This should solve the freezer leakage problem.
Faulty filter and dispenser
Filters are essential for purifying water. Therefore, most freezers come with built-in filters. Faulty filters, however, can lead to water leakage. The filter may not be able to filter the required water if it is old. The result is more water pressure and leaks.
A jammed dispenser can also cause leaks.
Solution:
In the freezer, locate the filter. Each filter has an expiration date. Replace the filter if it has passed the date. You can also fix and reinstall the existing filter if there is a problem. Open the dispenser’s lid and check if there is any ice jam. Clean it if necessary.
Faulty fittings
The freezer is equipped with a tube for water. This tube supplies water to the freezer, ice maker, water dispenser, etc. Different fittings are used to direct the water flow. Any fitting can be faulty. There could be a leak there.
Solution:
Your ice maker can leak water if any fittings are damaged. Change the marked fittings and install new fittings to solve the water leakage problem.
How to prevent your Kenmore ice maker from leaking?
The following tips will surely help you to prevent your Kenmore ice maker from leaking –
Maintain a clean condensation drain:
Condensation drains allow all the water in the freezer to get out, thus preventing dirt accumulation. As a result, water leaks instead. Maintain your drains regularly. Make sure the water dispenser is filled to ensure there is no excess buffer.
Minimize the temperature of the ice maker:
To make ice, the ice maker must have a minimum temperature. Ensure the temperature in the freezer is below 0 degrees.
Avoid stuffing things in the freezer:
By putting more food than the freezer’s capacity, the freezer becomes inefficient. Thus, the ice maker can leak water as it cannot create ice. However, never leave the freezer empty. Empty freezers can also leak water.
Replace the water filter:
Change the water filter periodically. This ensures safe water as well as reduces the possibility of water leakage.
Keep the freezer clean:
It is recommended to deep clean the fridge every three months. Make sure the water valves, ice buckets, water reserves, and fittings are properly installed, maintained, and cleaned. Regular monitoring will alert you to any problems.
What damage can caused by the ice maker leaks?
Leaking ice makers can damage any freezer. Damages that can happen include:
- Storing food in the freezer can result in spoilage due to logical water
- In the freezer, leakage from the fill tube may cause the condenser coil to burn out and block the compressor.
- When water leaks in undesirable places, there is the potential for an electrical accident. This can result in serious injuries to you as well as to the freezer
- Water leaks on the floor can damage all the rooms, starting with the carpet.
- With an ice maker leak, the freezer can be permanently damaged.
Final Thoughts
Water can leak from the ice maker in your Kenmore freezer for various reasons. Such as, if there is a blockage in the fill tube or condensation drains. Water is likely leaking due to problematic filters, fittings, or ice buckets. There are solutions also which you should certainly know.