How to Connect an Icemaker

Before summer gets here you may want to hook up the refrigerator’s icemaker and get rid of the ice trays. In order to do this, you will need to run water to your refrigerator so it can make the ice.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adjustable wrench
• Electric drill
• Screwdriver
• Self-piercing saddle valve
• Tubing, copper or plastic
• Steel wool
• Silicone caulk, paintable

1. Find your cold water source. Look for a copper cold water pipe that is as close to the refrigerator as possible. This might be under the kitchen sink, or an adjoining room or basement.

2. Run a supply line with the tubing from the water source to the refrigerator. If necessary, drill holes to run the tubing through, and use the caulk to seal the holes after running the tubing.

3. Turn off the water supply to the cold water pipe that you will be hooking the tubing (which you just ran).

4. Find an area on the cold water pipe where you can attach the self-piercing saddle valve. Rub the area with the steel wool, and then soap and water to clean, before attaching the valve to the area.

5. Place the valve over the clean area of pipe and connect the top and bottom parts by tightening the bolts. When doing this, the valve’s needle will puncture the pipe.

6. Turn the water source back on. Flush the valve by momentarily turning the handles at the top.

7. Attach one end of the tubing to the valve and the other on the back of the refrigerator, at the icemaker inlet.