If your refrigerator is stored in an unheated location like a basement, garage or you are relocating to your summer home for the winter season; you want to protect your appliances to ensure they are not exposed to below freezing temperatures.
Refrigerators may have residual water in the pump and hoses that may freeze and damage your pipes in the cold weather. As water freezes it expands, damaging the pipes in your home and unit. Taking some precautions to protect your refrigerator will prevent damage and optimize performance.
Supplies Needed
Baking soda or mild detergent
Wrench
Bucket
Towel
7 steps to winterize your refrigerator
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Water supply.
Turn off the water supply to your home.
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Turn Icemaker OFF.
Turn all temperature settings and ice maker to the “OFF” setting.
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Clean the refrigerator.
Remove the food and clean the inside of the refrigerator with a mild detergent or baking soda. Dry all surfaces.
NOTE: If leaving the home for a few months, remove and discard the Water Filter and empty the ice from the ice maker.
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Remove remaining water.
Using a bucket or large container, remove the remaining water through the water dispenser.
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Disconnect power Cord.
Unplug the refrigerator from the wall and turn off the circuit breaker.
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Disconnect water line.
With your wrench, disconnect the water lines on the back of the refrigerator. Use the bucket to collect the remaining water from the lines.
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Pull unit away from the wall.
(Recommended) If the wall behind the refrigerator is not insulated and your expecting below freezing temperatures, pull your refrigerator away from the wall, clearance should be 2 feet.
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Unplug Unit.
(Optional) If you are leaving your home for the winter, keep the refrigerator unplugged and circuit breaker turned off and keep the refrigerator doors propped open for the duration you are gone.
Ryan is a Home Electronics expert and author of this help library article. Please leave him feedback below about the page.
