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When Ice Flow Becomes Ice Floe

By
Home Inspector with Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 3380-000723

What do you do when ice flow becomes ice floe?

Aren't they the same thing?

An ice maker should be making ice!  Cubes form and flow, tray by tray, into a bin in the freezer.

An ice floe  is defined as floating or damming ice. 

In this freezer we have an ice floe!

I have to say, I have never seen this before.

The bin was in the freezer and was full of a frozen puddle of water.

But how does such an ice dam form?

How can melting and freezing go on at the same time?

Is this ice maker functioning correctly?

On a home inspection we are only in the house for a brief moment in time.  What has been going on before our visit is unknown.

Was the power turned off for a while?  Was the fridge turned off for a while?  Is the ice maker sending the water where it should not?  Or too much water for the tray to form ice cubes?  Is there a funny leak?

We don't know.  This should certainly be checked.

Again, I have never seen this before!  I cannot tell if it's working right or not.

My recommendation:  a home inspection is a mere peek at a house for a couple of hours on a particular day.  Ideally all the systems are on so we can investigate everything.  Not knowing history, it's hard to know sometimes what has been going on.  But when something unusual like this pops up and we don't know why, there is no alternative but to point it out.  And hope someone else does know why and can fix it!

 

 

Posted by

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.

Office (703) 330-6388   Cell (703) 585-7560

www.jaymarinspect.com


Comments (18)

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Jay.... I certainly hope "I" never see that happen....OMG!!

Aug 19, 2014 07:52 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Still, Barbara, I really don't know what is going on here!

Aug 19, 2014 07:53 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

I think it is an attempt at creative ice sculpture by the Sellers....come to Wisconsin...we'll show you ice sculptures...though can't see we have seen any in the refrigerator/freezer till now.

Aug 19, 2014 08:29 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Yes, S&D, I think I see, um, Luray Caverns!

Aug 19, 2014 08:32 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Interesting question Jay, but I'm sure before the day is over someone in the Rain will have that answer for you.

Aug 19, 2014 09:17 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I'd want to follow up and get the manufacturer's analysis. 

Very interesting.

Aug 19, 2014 10:27 PM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good morning Jay,

As I do not like seeing ice floe's on a roof; it must be disturbing to find it in ones freezer as well.

Make yourself a great day.

Aug 19, 2014 10:32 PM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

If the electronic valve does not close all the way this can happen---there may be other causes as well.  It is kind of like a dripping hose faucet will form an icicle all the way to the ground.

Aug 19, 2014 11:37 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Jay: I used to manage an appliance store with a service department. This issue can arise when the solenoid controlling the water for the ice-maker need replacement. You are right, if not corrected, it can cause more expensive repairs.

Aug 20, 2014 12:01 AM
Tom White
Franklin Homes Realty LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.FranklinHomesRealty.com - Franklin, TN
Franklin Homes Realty LLC, Franklin TN

Jay, we had a situation exactly like that on a home earlier this year. The home inspector noted the problem and a qualified repair man took care of it...for $250! Ouch!

Aug 20, 2014 12:02 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

It's probably a dripping that was happening after the icemaker was turned off James.  But I don't know!

Lenn - I may or may not hear the answer.

Raymond - this is a first for me, I think.  But certainly, something isn't right.

Charlie - I think dripping is the cause somewhere!  But don't know and will be interested to hear.

Norman - it looks like it might be getting into the vent in back!  Is that good?

Tom - our icemaker went out and it was going to cost $650 to replace it!  I bought a new fridge instead...

Aug 20, 2014 03:52 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I like Charles' comment, I was thinking icicles. If my wife had pointed this out to me, I'd say that it is making ice.  :)

Aug 21, 2014 09:15 AM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Hello Jay,

Well the answer is so simple, it is an icicle maker rather than an ice cube maker...just break one off and stir into your drink! 

Aug 21, 2014 11:04 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Hence the name Tom.  What's the hullabaloo here anyway?

Lisa - and the bin that is a big block of ice can keep the stuff in the cooler cold all day at the beach!

Aug 21, 2014 08:16 PM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Yes - so true, Jay, now you are ready for entertaining anywhere!

Aug 21, 2014 09:15 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Having gone to the beach recently, for my annual three-day vacation, keeping stuff cold out there is important Lisa! 

Aug 21, 2014 09:19 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

I had this happen to me and ended up buying a new refrigerator. Even after I unplugged it and it thawed, leaving me with a mess, it didn't work. When I called for services, they told me I'd be better off buying a new one.

Aug 22, 2014 01:57 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Ours died Patricia, and replacing it cost almost as much as a new fridge!

Aug 22, 2014 02:18 AM