Having an ice-maker built into your Viking fridge or freezer is one of the best ways to keep ice cold water, ice chips, and/or ice cubes on hand at any time.
But even though Viking ice-makers are some of the best and most reliable ice-makers on the market, they’re still prone to occasional breakdowns caused by everyday wear and tear.
But fret not! Viking Appliance Pros is here to help! Today, we’ll be taking a look at some of the most common ice-maker and freezer issues, and what you can do to try and resolve them.
When you find water leaking from any of your appliances, it can easily turn your day into a nightmare.
Not only does this mean that your appliance is likely broken, but you’ve also got to clean up the mess before it causes any damage to your home.
The good news, however, is that a leaking ice-maker is usually a fairly benign problem that you can likely diagnose and resolve on your own.
Your water supply lines carry water to the appliance, which it then uses to make ice cubes.
But because of the pressure in these lines, it’s not uncommon to occasionally have a line burst, or a connection to come loose, both of which can easily cause a leak.
To diagnose this, start by opening the ice-maker compartment on your Viking appliance, and inspecting any visible water lines for water or moisture. You’ll also want to look for any water coming from any joints or connections in this compartment, which you may simply be able to tighten by hand.
If you can pinpoint where the leak is coming from, you may be able to patch the holes or tighten the connection.
However, most of the time, you’ll need to replace the entire water supply line.
Once again, your unit’s water line connections are a prime suspect for leaks.
Therefore, you’ll want to thoroughly examine the water inlet valve for any signs of damage as well.
If you see any splits, cracks, or other types of visible damage, the valve will likely need to be replaced in its entirety.
Sometimes, you’ll experience a leaky ice-maker not because there’s anything broken inside, but simply because your refrigeration unit isn’t properly levelled.
Virtually all makes and models of fridges or freezers have small adjustable legs located at the bottom of each corner of the appliance. Use these to carefully adjust your appliance until it is perfectly plumb.
There’s nothing worse than an ice-maker that stops producing ice…
After all, that’s the main reason that you wanted the ice-maker feature in the first place.
When this happens, it’s most often due to a water supply shortage, or due to a blocked door sensor.
In some cases, the water supply line may become clogged or blocked with ice, which can either cause water to back up and leak from the appliance, or it might simply prevent the appliance from being able to produce any ice.
If this is the case, you can try using a hair dryer or some warm water to try and melt the blockage.
Just be careful when applying heat that you do not melt or damage any nearby components.
If the freezer’s door sensor is blocked or broken, your appliance might be tricked into thinking the door is open, even if it’s actually closed. When this happens, it may prevent your ice-maker from either producing or dispensing ice.
Therefore, you’ll want to inspect the door sensor or switch for any visible signs of damage.
Try opening the door and then pressing the switch with your hand.
If your unit has an interior light, it should go out when you press the button. If it stays on, you likely have a faulty sensor, which will need to be replaced.
In order to produce ice and properly store your food products, a freezer should always be sat at or below 0°C or 32°F.
If your unit isn’t set to this temperature, leaks, a lack of ice, and poorly stored food products are likely to occur.
Although defrost heaters are more commonly found on commercial refrigeration appliances, many modern “frost-free” units will have a heating element, which is used to help defrost the evaporators, as well as a drip tray to collect any ice that melts into water.
This component will usually work in conjunction with a defrost timer, which will usually run anywhere between once to 4 times per day.
Either way, if the heater or the timer aren’t functioning properly, you’re likely to experience a buildup of frost inside your freezer, which might cause leaks or issues with your ice-maker.
If you’re getting either a leak or an ice-maker that isn’t producing ice, another prime suspect will be that your unit’s thermostat isn’t set to an adequate temperature.
This sometimes happens accidentally, but in some rare instances, a faulty thermostat may be causing the temperature inadequacy. In this case, replacing the thermostat should be able to resolve your issue and get your appliance back up and running the way it’s supposed to be.
Whether you’ve got a leaky appliance or an ice-maker that isn’t working whatsoever, it’s good to know that prompt, friendly, and professional help is only a quick phone call away!
Here at Viking Appliance Pros, we service all models of Viking ice-makers, freezers, fridges, and more!
On top of that, we typically provide fast, same-day service, as well as some of the best prices in town!
Ready to get on with your appliance repairs? Don’t hesitate to contact us today!
