HOW TO LOCATE AND SHUT OFF YOUR REFRIGERATOR WATER SUPPLY
Turning off the main water supply to your refrigerator is likely easier than you may think. Whether you're prepping for a repair, tackling a leak, installing a new fridge or simply adjusting the ice maker, use this step-by-step guide to learn how to turn off water to the fridge.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE TURNING OFF WATER TO A FRIDGE
Taking the time to complete some simple steps before you turn off the water—like cutting power to the ice maker and shutting off the fridge—can help keep this process running smoothly.
To prepare to shut off the water:
Turn off your ice maker: Your ice maker may have a wire shut-off arm, an “On/Off” switch underneath, a switch on the freezer wall beside the ice maker (visible only when the ice bin has been removed) or some other mechanism to turn it off. Check your model-specific owner’s manual for instructions.
- Cut power to your refrigerator: Unplug your refrigerator or shut off power to the fridge using your home’s breaker box.
WHAT DOES A WATER SHUT-OFF VALVE LOOK LIKE?
Your home’s water line shut-off valve should look like a handle attached to a pipe. The handle can vary, but is likely one of two common types: a gate valve, which has a round handwheel you turn, or a ball valve, which features a lever you rotate.
LOCATING THE WATER LINE SHUT-OFF VALVE
The shut-off valve’s placement can depend on your kitchen layout and fridge model, but it’s usually near the cold-water supply line. See the list of common locations below and, if you don’t spot it in one of these places, grab a helping hand to slide the fridge forward and follow the copper or braided steel refrigerator water line to its source. The shut-off valve could be:
Behind the fridge
Under the kitchen sink
In a basement or crawl space
In a cabinet near the fridge
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TURNING OFF THE MAIN WATER LINE FOR THE FRIDGE
With the refrigerator powered down and your ice maker in the “off” position, you’re ready to learn how to turn off a fridge water line. Follow the three-step process below to help get the job done.
Clear away any items obstructing the valve, ensuring you have enough room to access and adjust the knob.
For gate valves (resembling a hand wheel), turn the valve clockwise until it stops rotating. If your water line uses a ball valve (resembling a lever), rotate the handle 90 degrees until it's perpendicular to the pipe.
- Test the refrigerator’s water dispenser to make sure it’s no longer producing a steady flow of water. Hold a large, empty container underneath the dispenser for 30 seconds until the water flow stops. If it doesn’t stop, the water line is likely still on.
TURNING THE REFRIGERATOR WATER SUPPLY BACK ON
Now that you’ve successfully learned how to turn off the water supply to the fridge, the tricky part is behind you. Turning it back on is quick and easy. Just head back to the shut-off valve—if it’s a gate valve, turn it counterclockwise until it stops. If it’s a ball valve with a lever, rotate it 90 degrees until it’s parallel with the pipe. Then you’re ready to turn your ice maker and your power back on.
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