What Do I Need to Hook Up an Ice Line to a Refrigerator?

Water Line Installation Kit

• The easiest way to install a water line for your ice maker is to purchase an installation kit from a local hardware or appliance store. The kit will generally come equipped with the tubing necessary to extend the water line as well as the saddle valve and compression adapters. The saddle valve is what is used to pierce the existing water line. Used in low pressure, low volume plumbing situations, the valve "saddles" the existing water line and punctures the line to allow a separate line to extend to the refrigerator from the existing line. A compression adapter is used to join two pipes together without the need for soldering. Compression adapters also work well when you need to join together two pipes that are not made of the same material, such as a PVD pipe and a copper pipe.

Purchasing the Parts Separately

• You may also purchase the parts and supplies necessary to hook up your water line separately at a local hardware store. If you are planning to purchase your parts separately, you will need the appropriate length of 1/4 inch outside diameter copper tubing. Measure from the nearest water source to the back of the refrigerator to determine how much tubing you will need. You will also need to select which connector you plan to use. The options include a soldered tee fitting, a compression tee fitting or a saddle valve. The fitting must be of the same material as your water pipe, meaning copper or PVC. Pipe compound may also be needed as well as a three to four inch piece of copper tubing the same size as your existing water pipes.

How to Install the Line

• If you purchased a kit, follow the directions included in the kit. If you are installing the line without a kit, start by pulling the refrigerator out and locating the ice maker connection. Turn off the water supply at the main valve and drain the water from your water source. You will need to cut a small section from the cold water pipe and solder in a copper tee from which you will attach a three to four inch section of copper tube with a stop valve at the end. Your water line for your refrigerator will be run from here. Run your tubing behind or below cabinets to avoid damage. The tubing will connect to the back of the refrigerator to allow water to flow for your ice maker.

Considerations

• While purchasing a kit may seem like the easy way to install your water line, you may find some issues involved with a kit. First, your kit may not include enough tubing to reach from your water source to the refrigerator. In addition, not all kits contain copper tubing. Kits often contain a saddle valve connector which may not produce as secure of a connection as a tee fitting or compression fitting. Finally, whether you use a kit or purchase your supplies individually, make sure you check your local codes to be certain that the materials you are using and the manner in which you install your line conforms to code.