Because water and ice service has become a standard feature for most refrigerators, newer homes have a water line connection and shut-off valve inset in the wall behind the refrigerator. But the water line has to be retrofitted at older homes, and it's usually connected to the nearest exposed cold water pipe, and next to a shut-off valve for another plumbing fixture. This could be under the kitchen sink, at the top of the water heater, under a bathroom sink, or sometimein the crawl space or basement under a home.

    It isn’t always possible to follow the water line back to the shut-off valve, so you may have to look at all the nearby possible connection points to find it. A sure sign that you found the right one would be that the shut-off is connected to a 1/4” water line—much thinner than the other water supply pipes. Also, the refrigerator line is often flexible plastic.

    Although the plumbing code does not require the shut-off valve to be at the connection point behind the refrigerator, it does specify that it must be clearly marked if at another location. This would make it easier for you to find, but marking the refrigerator water shut-off valve usually doesn’t happen.

    Also see our articles Does a refrigerator water supply line require a shutoff valve behind it? and Is a refrigerator required to have its own dedicated circuit? and Are a range and refrigerator required kitchen appliances for a house to pass FHA inspection? and Does a home inspector check the refrigerator? and How does a home inspector inspect a refrigerator ice maker? 

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Here’s links to a collection of some of our other articles about APPLIANCES: 

• When was GFCI-protection for kitchen dishwasher receptacle outlet first required? 

• Why does venting a clothes dryer into a garage, attic, or crawl space cause problems? 

• My spa tub stopped working. What's wrong?

• What is the maximum recommended height above the floor for an above-the-range microwave?

• Why would a home have natural gas appliaces but no gas meter? 

• Is a hot water faucet required at a washing machine?

• Can I remove a 240-volt range receptacle and hard-wire the range? 

• Can a dishwasher be wired to a kitchen counter small appliance receptacle circuit?

• Why is it bad to have a clothes dryer vent near an air conditioning condenser (outdoor unit)? 

• Do home inspectors test the appliances?

• What are the most common defects with over-the-range microwaves?

• What are the code requirements for an outdoor dryer vent cover?

• What is the maximum length for a clothes dryer vent? 

• Why are my ceiling fan blades drooping?

• How do you inspect a dryer vent? 

• Why is there a water hose connected to the back of the clothes dryer?

    Visit our APPLIANCES page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.