How to Check for Seeping Water in a Valve for a Whirlpool Refrigerator

Unplug the Whirlpool's electrical cord. Pull the appliance forward to reach the access panel on the rear.

Clean up any water on the floor with old towels.

Extract the bolts in the service cover at the bottom of the Whirlpool with a nut driver. The supply hose enters through an aperture in this panel.

Remove the panel and slide it back on the hose, out of the way. Shine a flashlight into the appliance to look for any evidence of seeping water below the valve, which is the component that connects to the supply hose.

Dry the valve and the bottom of the Whirlpool with old towels. Shine the flashlight on the valve once more to watch for leaks. The water glistens in the light against the black plastic of the valve. If water seeps from the valve housing, the part must be replaced. If water seeps from the supply hose connection, continue troubleshooting.

Attach the adjustable wrench to the nut on the end of the supply hose where it is hooked up to the valve. Twist the nut to the right to tighten the hose, then check for seeping water. If you still have a leak, continue troubleshooting.

Turn the knob clockwise on the external valve in the supply hose, typically under the sink. This stops the water from reaching the Whirlpool.

Unscrew the nut on the supply hose to pull off the hose and place the end in a plastic container to catch the water remaining in the line.

Dry the intake pipe on the valve with an old towel.

Wrap plumber's tape around the threading on the valve's intake pipe.

Reconnect the supply hose to the intake pipe, tightening with the wrench.

Open the cutoff knob in the supply hose valve. Check again for seeping water.

Plug in the Whirlpool's electrical cord.