Refrigerator

[Roger]

Slime Buildup Inside Cold Water Dispenser Of Refrigerator

The cold water dispensed from my refrigerator contains small translucent particles mingled throughout the water apparent when holding a glass of water up to a light background. The size of these particles varies from just a few thousands of an inch with some reaching upwards of an eight of an inch.

Following an inline filter change I noted a burst of air in the line when I turned the water back on. This burst of air apparently disturbed the slime buildup inside the tank and even after flushing by running many gallons of water through the tank the problem still persists.

I have noticed a slime buildup on other apparatus such as the cold air humidifier where the slime is more open to analysis. Running the humidifier one week will cause a slime buildup on all parts that the water touches.

I assume this buildup could also take place in the cold water tank of the refrigerator. Since the tank is not accessible for cleaning, I also assume that the slime would continue to build up to a point where it would start breaking loose and be mixed with the water.

Can anyone shed more light on this problem?

Thanks in advance, Roger

[Joseph Meehan]

Have you considered that this may be something in your water that is precipitating out due to the temperature drop? It could be liquid when passing the filter but then become solid as cooled.

Try warming the water to say 100º F and see what happens.

[mm]

What would happen to refrigerator slime if the water were heated? I'm thinking it might fully dissolve either way, if it originates in the refrigerator or not.

He should also take water from the tap and cool it to the refrigerator cold water temperature to see if these things appear without the water going through the refrigerator.

BTW, OP, if you've watched any of the movies which star slime, you'll know that it grows at an incredible rate. Just a teaspoon's worth can grow to fill a room in 5 or 10 minutes. You'll have to watch some of those movies to see how to get rid of it. I know it can be done in less than 2 hours (the length of the movie.)

Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let me know if you have posted also.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Probably not slime, but minerals. All water contains a certain amount of iron, calcium, and a list of about 15 ingredients. It will often precipitate out when resting in one spot for a length of time or when the water is evaporated out. Coffee makers are known for lime buildup over time due to the evaporation.

The only way to determine exactly what it is, and how to eliminate it, is to have your water tested. If it is very hard you know you have a lot of minerals. Any water treatment seller will do that for you usually free. If you want a more detailed analysis, it must be sent to a lab. Softeners and filters may be what you need.

[trader4]

I have the same tiny little white particles in my refrigerator water. They appear to be mineral deposits. I even considered taking out the water canister to flush it, but concluded that because of the way it's built (only small inlet/outlet holes), that wouldn't work either. Short of buying a new canister and installing an inline filter, I couldn't come up with a solution.

I also recently flushed my water heater and all the sediment was white flakes too, though much larger and higher quantity.

[Appliance Repair Aid]

Hi,

No mention of the refrigerator make or model#. Something that may help....

jeff. Appliance Repair Aid