Why won't my new refrigerator water line valve turn?

Question

We recently purchased a side-by-side refrigerator. Prior to product delivery which took a while, a plumber installed the required water line kit and valve, and told us we just need to turn the valve on after connecting the line to the fridge. The problem now that the fridge is delivered and the line connected, is that the valve does not turn at all.
I have taken a picture of the valve, hoping someone could shed some light on the issue.

Chris Butler · Answer

Agree with others that very much doesn't look like a new valve.
Solution will be a combination of Brute force, heat and penetrating oil.
Good article that's helped me before here:
https://www.superterry.com/loosen-a-stuck-shut-off-valve/

DAS · Answer

That "plumber" did you no service by leaving you with old fully rotating valves that are likely to break if you force them open! They break easily without force! He's just waiting for you to break it, flood the place and call him back. I'd call him back and first ask him why he didn't install "quarter turn" valves. Get him to install quarter turn valves which are much easier to turn on and off and don't break as easily as the older, fully rotating handle kind that you have now. Was there no access to the water main to turn off the water and so he couldn't/wouldn't do this?

Answered by DAS on August 9, 2021

Why won't my new refrigerator water line valve turn?

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