Thermador leaking water valves

9 years ago

So.....I've had lots & lots of repairs on my Thermador tower freezer.....(LOTS) Anyway the water valves have been replaced 2 times already. Yet again they are leaking, water runs down the back of the ice maker or under the ice bucket. My favorite is when the ice causes the icemaker to freeze in mid turn. So when the repair guy was here the other day to fix something else (yes) he says that they had talked about why the valves kept leaking in my freezer. He says I need to have a pump installed on my house to regulate the water pressure.

Now I'm not quite understanding that..... is it real or what?

Thanks

Featured Answer

weedmeister

9 years ago

Depends. Are you on a well? Have you ever measured the pressure yourself with an inexpensive water pressure gauge (about $10)? Have you seen if the pressure peaks during the day? Do you have a pressure tank along with your hot water heater?

He may be referring to a PRV (pressure regulator valve). City pressure can vary so most homes have one installed either out at the meter or just inside the house. This should hold pressure in the house to around 60psi. Heating of water in your HWH can raise that pressure to 100psi when the heater cycles. Nowadays it is code to have a pressure (relief) tank along side or nearby the HWH to absorb this extra pressure. A system on a well doesn't require it since the pressure tank is usually built-in.

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Comments (11)

ladyish2
Original Author
9 years ago
No we are not on a well. He mentioned something about how when the sprinklers for the grass go on, does my water pressure in the house goes down & then back up. Also I don't believe there is a pressure tank on the hot water tank. I know when we had a regular fridge we never had this problem. He said this size fridge needs different pressure for the ice maker.
My husband didn't seem to agree with the repairmans explanation...

Does it help if I tell you my house was built in 72.
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weedmeister
9 years ago
"He said this size fridge needs different pressure for the ice maker. "

I think that is bogus.

"City pressure can vary so most homes have one installed either out at the meter or just inside the house. This should hold pressure in the house to around 60psi. Heating of water in your HWH can raise that pressure to 100psi when the heater cycles. Nowadays it is code to have a pressure (relief) tank along side or nearby the HWH to absorb this extra pressure."

This may be what is going on. I've had this happen at my house. If the pressure gets high enough it can push open a solenoid valve enough to leak or flow.
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weedmeister
9 years ago
You can pick up something like this from HD or lowes. Put it on a garden hose faucet and let it sit for a day and look at your peak pressure.

Here is a link that might be useful: pressure gauge
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ladyish2
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks Weedmeister,

This should be fun.... The repair guy was out Sept 5 to replace the dispencer on the door (3rd new dispencer). A supervisor calls to speak to my husband, he brings up the leaking valves. She tells him in the repair guys notes how he tested the water pressure. Never tells his what the results where. She also tells him we would have been told before buying the unit about installing a pump (whatever) Sept 8 we get a call on how a pressure gauge was ordered and the repair guy will be back Sept 15 to test the pressure.
So I guess we shall see....

Michelle
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jakvis
9 years ago
Most water valves are designed to operate between 30 -80 PSI. Some water valves will work down to 20 PSI. The problem is that the valve can leak by if the pressure is too low or too high. If you have had mulitple water valves replaced the problem is most likely too low or too high of water pressure supply.
I've been in homes on city water with well over 100 psi and also been in homes with 15psi city water.
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ladyish2
Original Author
9 years ago
I will definitely write those numbers down for Monday. It will be interesting.... Our water pressure in the fridge is good, I wouldn't say over the top but good.
In the past I was told different reasons for what could cause leaking valves ~~~~ A RO system, no I don't have one. A repair guy even looked under my sink for one after I told him I didn't have one (surprise there wasn't one there) Water filter not changed, nope change them every time it tells me to..

So I wait on "baited breath" until Monday. And will post back what the pressure is.

Thanks, Michelle
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ladyish2
Original Author
9 years ago
Repair guy came with a gauge. Hooks up the gauge and we are at 60psi. Then he turns on the kitchen faucet and lawn sprinklers. The pressure drops to 38-40. So still in the "normal" range .....

So .... we wait to see what the Thermador people say about it...

Michelle
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weedmeister
9 years ago
That's nice.

What's the peak reading over 24 hours?
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ladyish2
Original Author
9 years ago
Hummmm Repair guy just came. He hooked up the gauge took the reading. Then we turned on sprinklers & kitchen faucet. He took the reading again. Took off the gauge and then left. At my house about 30mins.

Michelle
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xedos
9 years ago
Meaning he'll never know what the long term peak is, and he was making stuff up as he went along.

You have a lemon. I would politely , but firmly escalate this with BSH to get a replacement unit. Mention how there is a GW thread about your saga and see if that helps grease the wheels.
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Thermador leaking water valves

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