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Help! Fridge leaks on wood floor

15 years ago

Something is wrong with the fridge. It leaked on our hardwood floors in the kitchen warping a couple of boards. We will get the fridge fixed and the boards fixed but how to avoid in the future?

Do they make a pan for under the refrigerator that is similar to the ones they put under washers in second floor laundry rooms?

What are they called? I don't know what to search for. How do people handle hard wood in the kitchen? We have not had any other problems since we put the wood in a couple years ago.

Thanks.

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Comments (6)

allison0704
15 years ago
It's probably your ice maker leaking. Have you moved the fridge lately? Could have pulled it loose a bit. Or the hose could be wearing out if older.
jejvtr
15 years ago
If you have access shut the valve to the water supply to ice maker - someone will need to pull the refrig out - preferably onto a piece of plywood as it will dent wood flooring - as alison said if someone has moved the fridge lately they probably disconnected (on purpose or accidently) the ice maker - copper tubing supplies the water.
The hardwood will likely sit back down over time - but it may take awhile
Here's a link that may help

Here is a link that might be useful: water line connection
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sarah2008
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks. We did turn off the water to the fridge and call the repair man.

My biggest question is do they make a pan for under the refrigerator that is similar to the ones they put under washers in second floor laundry rooms?

I am looking for a little insurance for next time. DH wants to remove the ice maker. I love the ice maker.
59 Dodge
15 years ago
As I mentioned in another post, during your initial design, install the shutoff for the water where it is easily accessible without moving the fridge, Ie hide it in a cabinet or whatever. Another thing you could do is install a moisture sensor and an electric shutoff valve that would cut-off the water the minute it senses moisture.
Like the "Rain sensors" they use for automatic yard sprinklers that shut off the water if it is raining.

Gary
creek_side
15 years ago
FYI, there are some bad ice maker line kits out there. The plastic line cracks and can even break in half under normal household water pressure. It seems to happen shortly after it is installed, and the water is turned on. Sorry, but I don't know the brand name.

That may not be the problem in your case, but if it is, a copper line kit should be safe.
sarah2008
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, our line to the refrigerator is a little copper one. The shutoff is in the basement where it is accessible. I thin the leak is within the refrigerator itself, not the line going to it. The water came from the base of the refrigerator. I am not familiar with the moisture sensors. Can you give me a name I can search.

I'm, guessing they don't make a pan to sit a refrigerator on, is that correct? Maybe a rubber mat? At least that would have forced the leaking water out where we could see it before it did any damage.

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