How To Install A Water Line In A Refrigerator

How To Install A New Water Supply Line With SharkBite

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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.

1. Install into the existing supply line.

The first step to ice maker installation or any supply line plumbing is to shut off the main valve to the house and open the lowest tap on the property to empty the pipes. Then:

Find the line supplying the kitchen and cut out a section of the pipe no longer than 2 inches.
Deburr both ends of the cut out section and mark them for the correct depth.
Slide the end of a Service Slip Tee Adapter as far as it will go.
Using Disconnect Tongs on the slip end, slide the Service Slip Tee Adapter onto the adjoining piece of copper until it clicks and reaches the depth mark that you made

2. Replace the existing saddle valve.

If you have an existing ice maker connection that uses a drilled saddle valve, upgrading to a new push-to-connect Ice Maker Connection Kit is an efficient and reliable solution. After you've shut off the water supply and drained the pipes:

Find the line supplying the kitchen and cut out the section that includes the drilled piece of pipe connecting the existing saddle valve; be sure the cut section is no longer than 2 inches
Deburr both ends of the cut out section and mark them for the correct depth.
Slide the end of a Service Slip Tee Adapter as far as it will go.
Using Disconnect Tongs on the slip end, slide the Service Slip Tee Adapter onto the adjoining piece of copper until it clicks and reaches the depth mark that you made

3. Install the new ice maker line.

Now that you've added a tee adapter to the supply line, all that's left is to run the water line to the refrigerator ice maker or other appliance. To do that:

Slip a Supply Stop onto the Service Slip Tee Adapter.
Connect a supply line to the Supply Stop; this could include a push-to-connect PEX line that you simply push into the stop to the required depth or a Flex Hose that threads onto the stop.
Connect the new supply line to the connection on the back of the refrigerator or appliance.

The basic concept is the same whether you're installing an ice maker, dishwasher or other appliance requiring a water supply.

Everything you need to get the job done is included in the SharkBite Ice Maker Installation Kit:

Ice Maker Fitting – 1/4 in. (3/8 in. OD) x 1/4 in. Comp.
Angle Stop (1/4 Turn) – 1/2 in. x 1/4 in. (3/8 in. OD)
Coiled PEX Tubing – 1/4 in. (3/8 in. OD) x 10′
Service Slip Tee Adapter – 1/2 in. x 1/2 in. x 1/2 in.
Disconnect Tongs (Slip end only suitable for Copper and CPVC)

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