Things You'll Need:
- Drill, ½” drill bit (standard jobber bit), ¼” O.D. compression nut and ferrule, ¼” O.D. tubing (you will need to determine how much tube will be needed), more items continued in first step...
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Step 1
Continue things you'll need: Quick tee adapter (3/8" female compression x 3/8" male compression x 1/4" male compression), 1/4" one hole straps (figure on using two straps in each cabinet), screws (1/2" long self tapping), screwdriver (to drive in the screws).
First consider where the water line is going to run. Generally the refrigerator has cabinets between it and the kitchen sink. This is where the water line will pass through to connect to the water pipe under the sink. Even if the stove is in between the refrigerator and the kitchen sink the water line can pass behind the stove. Next think about what is going to be stored in the cabinets. If heavy cast iron pots and pans are going to be put in the cabinet then you should consider keeping the water line up near the top of the cabinet so it won’t be crushed by a heavy pan being dropped on top of it. -
Step 2
Now that the route of the water line has been decided take the drill and drill the holes in the cabinet walls so the tube can be sent through the cabinets. Send the tube from the refrigerator towards the kitchen sink. Turn off the cold water supply valve under the kitchen sink. Disconnect the compression joint on the valve and push the supply tube to the side. Take the quick tee adapter and tighten it to the supply valve. If the supply tube is a flexible one then reposition it and connect it to the quick tee adapter. If the supply tube is not the flex type then you will need a tubing cutter to shorten the tube. Then reconnect the supply tube with a new compression nut and ferrule.
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Step 3
Now take the ¼” tube from the refrigerator and connect it to the quick tee adapter with a compression nut and ferrule. Go to the back of the refrigerator and leave a couple feet of the tube coiled up. Now use the tubing cutter to cut the tube to length. The extra tubing will allow the refrigerator to be pulled out for service and cleaning. With someone holding the end of the tube in a bucket turn the valve under the sink back on and flush out the tube to make sure that there is no debris inside. Turn the water off again.
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Step 4
Most refrigerators have a cover over the water connection at the back of the refrigerator. Find this cover and remove it. Now connect the end of the ¼” tube to the back of the refrigerator and tighten the compression joint securely. Turn the water on again and check for leaks and repair if necessary. Replace the cover on the back of the refrigerator. Use a tube strap and secure the tube to the back of the refrigerator with a screw. If possible use one of the screws already in the refrigerator that is close to the water connection. This will keep the connection from forming a leak in the future. Use the straps to secure the tubing inside the cabinets
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Step 5
Now that you have the water line connected look inside the freezer section and make sure that the icemaker is on. If your refrigerator has a water tap take a pitcher and run the water for two minutes. This will remove the air from the system. Dump the first few trays of ice to make sure that anything in the system is flushed out. Now have a cold drink.
