If it's PVC, same deal. then use teflon tape to seal the threads on a fitting to connect the icemaker line. Having a refrigerator with a water and ice dispenser is very convenient. The package says it is compatible with 1/2 inch copper and CPVC for the slip end (household Connecting ice maker to a PVC water line. It's good to remember this if you ever have to move the refrigerator, because the tubing is fragile and putting pressure on the connector can break the water seal. Attach a brass garden hose "Y" with a shut off valve, a braided ice maker line, Teflon tape and a few adapters to reduce/make the connection from the "Y" to the braided line. Do I need a PVC cutter or is a hacksaw cut good enough? If your refrigerator has an ice maker or a water dispenser, it has to be connected to a water supply line, and that line can leak. Model #266350. Is it PVC or is it PEX? He has been published in "Woman's Day," "New Home Journal" and on many do-it-yourself websites. Connect the end of the tube to the 1/4-inch water supply fitting on the refrigerator. very simple to do. the copper line is not visible under my sink. Connect a plastic waterline pipe to PVC with a barbed PVC fitting. Drill the hole. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Attach the braided water line (Photo 3), then run the water into a bucket or sink for a few minutes to flush out any corrosion or bits of solder. Next, locate a place on the main trunk supply line where you can tap the saddle valve. I suggest renting the crimpers, getting the proper tee and fittings and plumbing into your PEX line. If its rigid PVC you can cut it and glue in a t-fitting and then glue a threaded fitting in the new opening. There are other tubing materials. Plastic is more flexible and easier to run, won't kink and is resistant to hard water deposits. They are used in commercial and residential kitchens. He specializes in do-it-yourself projects, household and auto maintenance and property management. Dale Yalanovsky has been writing professionally since 1978. Set the ice maker power switch to the ON (I) position. Tighten the joint connector between the flexible tubing and the stop valve with a wrench. If I have to buy the cement and the cutter I'm almost better off paying a plumber to do the work! Thanks! Coat the inside of the PVC pipe and the outside of the fitting with the cement, insert and press them together. Check for leaks. The kit includes 1 SharkBite 1/2-in service slip tee, one 1/2-in x 1/4-in (3/8-in O.D.) use the same glue method you use to install the pvc, a purple cleaner and then the right cement for the type of … Use the feeler bit to determine the best location to drill for the water line. Locate the nearest cold water line and determine its location compared to the location of the fridge. In this article/video, I would like to go thru all the steps on properly connecting a water line to your refrigerator to feed an ice-maker or simply a drinking water supply.Ever since we moved in our home, I never g… There are a couple of ways to attach a PVC pipe to an ice-maker's water line, but you won't know which approach to take until you know what type of pipe makes up the ice-maker's line. Run this line to the back of your refrigerator or under-counter ice maker and secure it with a compression joint. Attach the flexible tubing to the stop valve at the end of the tee. Plug in the refrigerator or reconnect power. Although I never had it leak, please realize that these valves were never intended to be used on PVC (or PEX, to be more accurate, as I think that's what you are actually referring to). push-to-connect angle stop valve, a 10-ft coil of 1/4-in PEX pipe, one 1/4-in (3/8-in O.D.) These supply/connector hoses have fittings on both ends for connecting ice makers to water lines. It may sound intimidating, but with readily-available fittings, it’s really pretty simple to install an ice maker line when you have copper, CPVC or Pex water supply lines. How to Get Rid of the Plastic Taste in an Ice Maker Line, How to Splice Plastic Dishwasher Drain Pipe, How to Remove a Gooseneck Pipe on a Bathroom Sink, The Family Handyman: How To Install Refrigerator Plumbing, How to Connect Stainless Braided Hoses to Ice Makers, How to Install a Plastic Water Line Under a Gravel Driveway, How to Disconnect the Water Line to the Filter Housing on a Refrigerator. Compare; Find My Store. You can use a saddle valve with pvc, if you're very careful. 5-ft 0.25-in Compression Inlet x 0.25-in Compression Outlet Braided PVC Ice Maker Connector. With that in mind, pull out the fridge and drill down with a feeler bit as close to the cold water line as possible. 3/4 … Use a water line installation kit, available at any hardware store. Mine will be replaced in the near future, but the saddle valve on a 1/2" cpvc line is working fine for the time being. Attach the fitting to the PVC pipe with PVC cement. Ideally, you'll cut the pvc (should actually be cpvc), and install a T, and a shutoff valve. Once the pipe is run up to the PVC connector, or if the majority of the water line is already in place, you can proceed. The way Steve describes would be a better way to do it if you are inclined to do so. Determine how much of a water line there is. The valve's handle is then turned so that the piercing lance sticks out 3/16-inch past the sealing washer. The kit will give you all the valves and hardware needed to run a line up to the point where the PVC pipe is. Connect a copper waterline pipe to PVC using a plastic pipe and a barbed fitting. Item #1209877. This is the first fridge I've had which has an ice maker in it, so I need to run a water line to the fridge. Plumbing and Piping - Connect Ice Maker to water supply line - How easy is it to connect and existing ice maker hose to the water supply line underneath the sink. When you install a new refrigerator, it's a good idea to hook up the ice-maker at the same time. Connect the Supply Tube to the Refrigerator Run the new supply tube to the back of the refrigerator. Place a clamp over the plastic pipe and tighten it firmly to make a watertight seal. SharkBite x 1/4-in O.D. Yalanovsky also writes a bimonthly column that provides home improvement advice. Yes, it's CPVC. A place where people can come to learn and share their experiences of doing, building and fixing things on their own. The ice maker will not begin to operate until ir reaches its operating temperature of 15 ºF ( … To hook up the ice maker you would cut the pipe and install a tee with a valve off it for the ice maker line. I would have to run the hose pass 2 At the ice maker end of the newly added PEX line (if you had decided to run the distance with PEX) you would need to select the appropriate type of adapter fitting(s) to allow connection of the small diameter ice maker line. You can purchase one at most hardware or plumbing supply stores. If you'll be showing the house, you'll be able to demonstrate that the refrigerator is not only up and running, but also has a functional added perk. If using a piercing valve, once the connection is complete, turn the knob to drive the needle into the pipe and pierce the … Insert the barbed end of the fitting into the plastic pipe, then clamp it securely with a hose clamp and a screwdriver. There is a chance that you have to do this yourself, so we have also included a guide on how to install a new refrigerator water supply line as well. I could find a copper line to tie into but most of what's near the fridge is PVC. Good Luck Re: PVC water pipe & Icemaker; Author: Anonymous User Yes saddle valves will work on CPVC. Here is a step-by-step water line installation refrigerator guide.A new refrigerator with a water dispenser and ice maker needs to be hooked up to a COLD water line. The SharkBite ice maker installation kit has everything you need to install the water supply to your ice maker. Customer Question. I will soon be taking delivery of a fridge with ice maker. Snip off a bit of the plastic pipe with scissors and take it to a hardware store to gauge the correct size when buying the fitting. Nonetheless, this is not a difficult task and anyone with moderate do-it-yourself experience will be able to get the job done. If it's like 3/4 pex or 1/2 pex just get the appropriate T fitting to meet up with your fridges 1/4" nylon supply line. I initially had a saddle valve to connect a water line to my refrigerator water dispenser/ice maker but removed it because the flow of water was just too low. Turn water supply valve ON. You can choose either plastic pipe or copper pipe, whichever one you're more comfortable working with. Always turn off the main water line if you need to tap into it for an ice-maker line. If Pex get some Watts quick connect fittings or some sharkbite fittings, turn off water, run tap to remove line pressure. The better solution when it’s time to install an ice maker line is to cut the water line, install a T fitting and a ball shutoff valve, and add your supply line. I have used saddle valves with no problems they are more apt for trouble than running a seperate line with its own shutoff as Steve mentioned. Shut the water off to the house. My old fridge broke down, and I am getting a new one but this one does not have a water/ice dispenser. When running a water supply tube to a new refrigerator ice maker, humidifier, or other appliance, you'll need a way to tap into an existing water supply pipe.An easy way to do this on a copper pipe is by using a special shutoff fitting known as a saddle valve or needle valve. DO NOT USE PIERCING-TYPE OR 3/16" SHUT-OFF VALVES. The location of your tap will determine how many holes you have to drill to feed the water line through. Tighten all the connections (including connections at the valve) or nuts that leak. Tying into a copper line looks dead simple with one of those vampire tap things, but I've not seen anything out there about tying into a PVC line. Or is my only alternative to cut the PVC and install some sort of tee? Cut line. Press J to jump to the feed. Attach copper tubing to your cold water pipe to create a dedicated cold water line for your new appliance. ... Lowes sells quick connectors to do this, you should connect this to the cold water line under the sink, they have a t connector that just screws onto the line in between the faucet and the valve. I just did it last week because my local hardware store did not have the pvc fittings I needed. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Because this is a low-pressure line, if possible, use plastic piping if you're getting a kit. Instead, it is all pvc. Whether you’re upgrading to a fridge with an ice maker, replacing a saddle valve connection on an existing appliance or putting in a whole new appliance, installing a water line to a refrigerator or appliance with push-to-connect plumbing solutions is a skill that will benefit you time and time again. Not supposed to use PVC in a residence. Highcraft CNCT26610-OM Line, Connects Water Supply, Ice Maker hose With 1/4" Fittings On Both Ends, Braided Stainless Steel, 10 Ft Whirlpool W10685193 Dishwasher Swivel Gooseneck Fitting. Ice maker connectors (also known as ice maker supply lines) are used to hook up an ice maker to a water line to supply water to the unit for making ice. Then just connect everything up (using Teflon tape). Cut line. They reduce the flow of water to the ice maker and are easily clogged. All the demos that I can find always refer to connecting it to your copper water line. Although it's not the right way to do it, I was in a hurry, had a spare kit with the valve, and didn't really give it much thought. How to Connect a Water Line to Your Refrigerator: What’s up guys, and welcome back. If it's like 3/4 pex or 1/2 pex just get the appropriate T fitting to meet up with your fridges 1/4" nylon supply line. Is there an easy, lazy-man way to tie into a PVC water line? get a 3/4 or 1/2 Tee that has a 1/4 fitting or use a brass reducer with a compresson fitting. Usually behind where a refrigerator is installed, there will be a water valve that you can use to hook cold water to your fridge. To get the best performance, connect the water supply line. Connect the Water Line to the Supply Valve Attach the water line to the 1/4-inch outlet on the water supply valve and tighten the connector nut with a wrench. DO NOT USE POLYETHYLENE TUBING to connect the ice maker to the water line. I poked around and will either cement in a new tee+valve or go with a sharkbite fitting. If it's for yourself, you'll have an added convenience that would take more effort to add later. If there is no water line, or if only the basics are there -- like a line valve coming off the pipe -- then you'll need to install the entire water line. If Pex get some Watts quick connect fittings or some sharkbite fittings, turn off water, run tap to remove line pressure. Once the water to the CPVC supply pipe has been turned off and a nearby faucet opened to drain the pipe, a 5/32-inch diameter hole is drilled into the side of the pipe at the point where the saddle valve will connect to the line. An ice maker is a great addition to any kitchen and can be simple to install with the right materials. BUT, saddle valves are crap and not an ideal solution in any case, pvc or copper. It's usually a "T" that you insert into an existing cold water line, with the base of the "T" being a 1/4" NPT female for the icemaker line. you will need the 1/4" one. Finally, fish the water line through the floor or wall to the back of the refrigerator (Photo 4). The consensus in the thread is to avoid the vampire tap, so that's what I'll do. How do you connect an icemaker water line to pvc pipes. It'll cost comparable to the vampire kit, and is a lot more reliable and is just done right. Most people run 1/4" copper with flared fittings from the valve to the ice maker. Required Tools for this ice maker tubing project PVC is not code for in home water plumbing in our region, but I have seen the adapter at Home Depot. Unfortunately the fridge and the sink are maybe eight feet apart and I'd have to run the water line directly in front of the kitchen entrance, which I'm sure the missus would not approve of! I messed up in our new house and just used a "vampire tap things" on the PVC tubing extending out of the floor. of the hardware necessary to connect your ice maker to the water supply. Can I use the inexpensive kits sold at Wal-Mart with the flexible tubing and clamp valve and connect the valve to pvc instead of copper. In reply to another (similar) comment I asked: Do I need a PVC cutter or is a hacksaw cut good enough? Connect a plastic waterline pipe to PVC with a barbed PVC fitting. At the actual ice maker connection it will be necessary to use the small diameter plastic tubing to the ice maker fitting. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Select a small piece of plastic pipe that will push over the copper water line and fit snugly. Make sure you have a valve in-line so you can shut off the water when replacing the water filter. If I have to buy the cement and the cutter I'm almost better off paying a plumber to do the work! I'm not sure what your angle stops under your sink look like, or the proximity of your sink to your fridge, but this may be a possibility. Insert the flexible tubing through the holes you drilled until you reach the location where the refrigerator will be. Using the fittings provided with the ice maker kit, take the tubing that came with your kit and connect it to the back of the ice maker unit. The barb on the end of the PVC fitting must fit snugly inside of the snippet of plastic pipe. As instructed in the previous step, select a properly sized barbed PVC fitting and cement it to the PVC pipe. The crimpers, getting the proper tee and fittings and plumbing into your Pex line Watts quick connect fittings some. 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