How to Connect an Icemaker Water Valve
Ice makers are common in most new refrigerators and can make the appliance much more functional for everyday life. You'll no longer need messy ice trays or use up shelf space in your freezer for storing the ice. By installing an ice maker, you'll be able to utilize more space in your freezer. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Electric drill
- Copper or plastic water line
- Compression nut
- Wrench
- Brass reinforcements for plastic tubing (2)
- Saddle valve
Instructions
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1
Locate the cold water line closest to your refrigerator/freezer. The best place to connect one is off the cold water valve located below your kitchen sink if there is no existing line behind your refrigerator.
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2
Purchase enough copper or plastic tubing to reach from your cold water pipe to the intake line on your refrigerator (located on the back of the refrigerator toward the bottom). Plastic tubing is more flexible and can be easier to work with in tight spaces.
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3
Thoroughly clean the tubing. Rinse the tubing out with warm soapy water. Be sure to get all the soap out before installing the tubing.
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4
Drill any holes needed to run the tubing from the cold water pipe to the intake valve on your refrigerator. You may need to run the tubing through the back of a cabinet, or route the tubing behind another appliance such as a dishwasher.
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5
Slide a compression nut over the tube with the threads toward the end of the tube. Then, slide a ferrule (included with the compression nut) over the tube and insert the end of the tube into the refrigerator intake. Tighten the nut onto the inlet using a wrench. If using plastic tubing, insert a brass reinforcement onto each end of the tubing to prevent it from breaking.
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6
Connect the tubing to the saddle valve. Attach the saddle valve to the cold water pipe by tightening the valve handle clockwise. This will allow you to puncture the cold water line without having to shut off the water to that pipe. Once the pipe has been properly punctured, water will begin to flow into the tube and into your refrigerator.
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7
Follow the instructions with your refrigerator's ice maker system to set up the electrical components in order to properly make ice. If the system is not properly set up, leaking problems can occur and the ice may not form correctly.
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8
Check your ice maker for leaks every 10 to 15 minutes for the first two hours it is connected. Once you roll the refrigerator back into position, the tubing may get pinched, damaged or come loose.
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9
Allow your ice maker to produce its first filling of ice, then dump it out. The first batch should be dumped because there may be small particles of dirt or dust mixed in with the ice from the ice maker that can make the ice taste funny.
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10
Allow the ice maker to make another batch of ice. This batch will be safe to use.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure that all parts are thoroughly cleaned before installation, especially the tubing. Dirty tubing can give your ice a weird smell or taste.
