How To Install A Water Line To Your Fridge [Pex & Copper]

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Shannon from www.house-improvements.com/ki... shows you how to install a water line to your fridge so you can use its' water and ice dispenser features. If you have any questions about your home DIY projects, stop by the forum on our website and ask. Video © 2014 SKS Media.
Videos produced by SKS Media (House-Improvements.com) are provided for informational purposes only. The information contained in the videos is intended to give general guidance to simplify DIY (do it yourself) projects. Because tools, products, materials, equipment, techniques, building codes and local regulations are constantly changing, SKS Media cannot and does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy of the information contained therein. Further, SKS Media will not accept any claim for liability related to, but not limited to, omissions, errors, injury, damage or the outcome of any project. It is the responsibility of the viewer to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations for a project. The viewer must always take proper safety precautions and exercise caution when taking on any project. If there are any questions or doubt in regards to the element of a project, please consult with a licensed professional. SKS Media conducts all matters in accordance with the laws of Saskatchewan, Canada.

[@tiffanyk7268]

Thank you. I just bought my house and this is one of about a hundred little tasks I need to do. I feel a lot more comfortable doing it now.

[@HouseImprovements]

Wonderful!

[@alwilson7052]

You have the best informative and camera lighted videos on KZbin Shannon, keep them coming. I have learned a lot from you over the years. Great Job and I appreciate your knowledge brother.

[@cadjocky54]

Thank You, again Shannon for your top-notch professionalism delivering another expert level video info class! You have proven time and again that you are one of the top competent video casters one should learn from! Thank you for your in-depth knowledgeable instructions, giving DIY'r's Up to code and safe information!

[@daveoverbey2032]

I've known people to think they need to put teflon tape or paste on the threads as so is not needed if it's got the pressure sealed squeezed rubber gasket as does all pressure valves have. It's good too that you informed us about those brass inserts are used only w/the plastic tubing & needs to be removed or taken out when used with rigid copper or pvc pipe. Thank you.

[@monsterp.g.1741]

On the sharkbite video it states that you do not need to remove those plastic inserts when connecting to cooper or pex.

[@saliston]

Great video and very informative. Thanks a bunch. I have a water dispenser/ice-maker fed by a needle valve (previous owner) that doesnt let much water through. Thanks to this video I will redo my setup and use a proper shutoff. I have never been a fan of needle valves.

[@HipsterZipster]

I love your videos Shannon. Definitely the best DIY series I've encountered on KZbin.

[@HouseImprovements]

thanks, please consider becoming a subscriber to our channel. ITS FREE. kzbin.infofeatured?view_as=public

[@sandradmeyer]

Thank you for this vid! It's exactly what I needed to know to replace old leaking copper tubing.

[@handyman8494]

Thanks for your hard work. all your video's are very good and very informative.

[@freezzerfreezz5022]

Shannon, your videos are fantastic, very informative, very easy to follow and understand! I know I may sound like a "broken record" reading the other comments below but well worth repeating ;-)

[@rubenperez2914]

I'm buying a new refrigerator and finally adding a water line for the water dispenser/ice maker this time. I needed info on installing it.

[@jordancole546]

Thank you again Shannon! Always great videos making the projects much less daunting!

[@antenehpetros3632]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate the way explain every little thing. 🙏

[@tkthompson6970]

REALLY appreciate your tips and advice, thanks so much!!!

[@madcyborg]

Smart man, using a push connector, the saddle valves are just a disaster waiting to happen.. The rubber dries out and will eventually leak... 4 years ago this was made? Way ahead of the time... now there are complete kits for ice makers and fridge water kits.. This video was ahead of it's time...

[@pattyking2634]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I’ve been searching for this exact diy for days. Lo and behold, here you are!! And here I will stay. Liked and subscribed ❤️

[@HouseImprovements]

Glad I could help!

[@Tetrastahr]

Thank goodness you have this video I get asked this everyday at work.

[@smshh33]

excellent demonstration, simple and straightforward thanks!

[@T33W1ZN3RD]

Thanks for sharing Great help for my new LG smart fridge👍🏾

[@ckt3614]

Thank you for this video! Very helpful

[@cheryl3554]

How much does a project like that cost. Same set up. Have to feed it through the cabinet. Thank you for this helpful video.

[@EzraGaskin001]

Are you going to have a video on installing floors?

[@spud7378]

Great video what a difference in videos from your original one in 2011. Such more professional!!! Love your videos! Ps as a safety professional. Put your glasses on!!!

[@GestapoPussyRanch]

Thanks, this was helpful.

[@seephor]

Nice video. I'm an old school solder or compression type of guy. There's this unsatisfying feeling I get with these push on connectors or pex pipe.

[@junangeles]

That orange clip thing works like magic!

[@spelunkerd]

Those 'shark bite' style fittings are everywhere now. I guess my initial uncertainty about how durable and reliable they are has disappeared. They are clearly a time saver for those who do installations, and I like the way you installed a dedicated valve.

[@JackofAce]

www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-1-2-in-Push-to-Connect-x-1-2-in-Push-to-Connect-x-1-4-in-Compression-Service-Stop-Tee-24983A/206356284 Is this what you are referring to?

[@nicklk]

Do you need to pull out the center piece of sharkbites on copper fittings?

[@johno9163]

You don't have to but they serve no purpose with copper. I always pull them out when using copper. And every plumbing video I have seen, the plumber pulls out the plastic piece meant for pex.

[@Sarah_e_me]

Thanks for this! I started watching another video before this and it was so complicated it was ridiculous.

[@HouseImprovements]

Glad to help

[@bartcervantes334]

You made it easy for me to do mine . Thanks you.

[@geneauger]

Great video now all I need is one on plastic with hook up to fridge as well

[@mjaye6042]

Very helpful, Thanks!

[@hameedwafaAFG]

excellent job

[@octogirl2046]

That was great. Now I know I can do it! Ty

[@cheribachman1548]

love your videos..

[@lloydmorrisonii1373]

Outstanding video!

[@JohnWilson-xi2wu]

Great Video as usual

[@ngongatenzin2093]

Very helpful video. Thank you so much!!!!!!

[@raulmunguia2027]

What about a valve that is a splitter instead of having two valves which can spin when shutting off due to the push fitting?

[@richallen7506]

Would this same set up work to connect my dishwasher line as well to the hot side??

[@chrisritchot9284]

Great Video!

[@kcgunner8378]

THANK YOU!

[@vishnu009]

Thankyou for the helpful video. We just bought a house and this will be the first DIY job which we'll attempt. Is there a way to go below the cabinet , i.e between the floor and the cabinet (not below the floor) ?

[@HouseImprovements]

Unfortunately not

[@MrCedad]

Excellent thanks!

[@GodlessArtist]

Thanks for the video. I’m trying to do this today. Problem is, my 100 yr old house is plummed like spaghetti. No main shut off except for the city’s. And no space to work with stubs only 1” out of the wall. What should be easy gets so hard sometimes.

[@Crux161]

excellent video, very helpful :D

[@HouseImprovements]

Thanks for watching

[@mclovengarcia2883]

Great video

[@jeromem9843]

Kickass man thank you

[@richiedgunner4155]

Thanks nice video now ill get to it

[@tommont1824]

another fine video.

[@markflores9055]

Thank you.

[@chizo5097]

Nicely done

[@dean3583]

Is one line like this for ice and water of modern fridge?

[@geojor]

thanks for your good work ...

[@HouseImprovements]

thanks for watching PEI

[@randomstuff9806]

That was Easy installation I don't need nobody . I can actually do it myself....

[@robgre7216]

I recently had refigerater delivered. man removed old braided water line and replaced PEX line to new refrigerator. Was this a mistake. Is PEX prone to pin holes and leak over time. THAT SAID, several months ago I had to replace a leaking braided tolet supply live due to leaking. So should I worry about the PEX frig water line.

[@teamsami123]

Thank You so much.

[@keytothegate68]

Can you connect a new water line to be used as drinking water off the pipe that is feeding the toilet tank ? Or is there a concern about contaminating the water line due to proximity to the toilet tank?

[@erval9]

Hey, excellent video! My fridge is right next to the water heater tank, can I connect it to the cold copper water line that goes to the heater? Is that possible or dangerous? It's because I could connect it to the kitchen sink but that's across from where my fridge is (like right in front) and there is no way to go underneath (i don't have a basement). Thanks!

[@HouseImprovements]

+erval9 That would work great, go ahead.

[@zachmartin6199]

How does the water gets from the fridge to door?

[@ramonlopezjr5637]

Thank you very helpful to me today.

[@HouseImprovements]

So glad!

[@sadfaced]

Thank you

[@PhearaXT]

Can I install water line from the dishwasher machine to my fridge with ice maker and water dispenser?

[@grayghost7847]

I don’t think so because it has to be a cold water line. Dishwasher is hooked to hot water line.

[@Mrpaponte]

thanks..

[@jessicamartinez-ks3zj]

How do we run the tubing through the floor?

[@vtphan2012]

Does the other end simply hook up to the refrigerator in a straight forward way? Thanks.

[@HouseImprovements]

most refrigerators will have a 3/8" threaded fitting that this attaches directly too.

[@AirMarksman]

I have a small kitchen and just purchased a fridge with a ice maker. The place that the fridge is has our stove between it and the sink. Can I run the hose behind the stove? I am in Florida and have concrete floors so I can not go down. Please let me know. Thank you.

[@HouseImprovements]

Sure can

[@barracade24]

HouseImprovements I have a similar situation but where my refrigerator sits I have a bathroom sink on that same wall. Can I tap into that water supply by drilling and running my lines or does it need to be from the kitchen sink?

[@daveoverbey2032]

I'm sure you can so long as it's hooked to the cold water line. Why not?

[@DylanCyr]

Could you not tap into the water line above the original sink valve? is it necessary to do it below?

[@HouseImprovements]

Only if it is copper ,and i doubt it is.

[@jjimenez1123]

Do new refrigerators require 1/2" line instead of 1/4"? Or is it optional? Can someone help??

[@HouseImprovements]

GOOD QUESTION ,I DO NOT THINK SO BUT CHECK THE MANUAL

[@acadaver2288]

We just had a new fridge delivered and were told that the valve behind the fridge is for a dishwasher, not a fridge water line. Its much bigger than the connector on the hose. I assume we will only need to swap the valve, correct? Thank you.

[@HouseImprovements]

Yes swap them out if you can get at the valve to do that. There may be a fitting to reduce the size of that one to the fridge size??

[@harris8390]

Ive seen both your water line vids now and although they are perfectly good, They dont solve my problem. My new LG fridge sits on the other side of the kitchen from my sink. And I have no Idea on how to get the water line to it. Can I run it along the wall and have it go upwards too to avoid a doorway? I sure as heck don't know how to run it under the kitchen floor or through the ceiling.

[@HouseImprovements]

You could but it will not be pretty. Why not run it in the basement ceiling? Maybe you do not have one or its inaccessible ?

[@harris8390]

+HouseImprovements there is no basement.

[@harris8390]

I really only have enough knowledge to run it on the wall. The ceiling or under the floor would just be too complicated. Im gonna fish out from under the sink on the floor, above and along the door frame, back down onto the floor and into the back of the fridge. Ill probably paint it to match the walls so that its less noticeable.

[@microorganisms1]

thanks sir

[@david029014]

so, no soldering with push to connect? i just brought a new fridge and was not liking the basic kit that pokes a hole in copper tubing, looks like it could leak. this push to connect looks interesting.

[@HouseImprovements]

Yes those older style that pokes a hole are not really a great choice , this is much better.

[@JohnCarbone75]

Is it possible to run the water line from the pipe to the fridge and go behind a stove? (I don't have a setup where I can go under the floor.)

[@HouseImprovements]

Yes all you need is a long enough braided line to reach

[@lillydelgado1202]

Nice video

[@DaPainterDude]

Any chance you can do a video running copper water line from back of fridge to Pex plumbing? Below my fridge in the basement I have 3/4 main backbone that comes in from city water on one side of the house and runs the length of the house and ends under my fridge. Then I notice there are 1/2 branches (water supply lines) coming off the main back bone (3/4 main supply)that supply the sinks, toilet, bath tub, etc. So my question is, DO I want to tap into a 1/2 branch which will require about 20 feet of tubing to get me to the nearest 1/2 supply, or is it okay to tap the 3/4 main supply pex water line? What is the best method to tap into pex being it's plastic? I assume cut it in half and put a T in. I don't believe you can use the saddle piercing device on pex. Thank you for any helpful tips you can offer and recommend.

[@HouseImprovements]

+DaPainterDude I would never use copper between the water supply line and fridge, not when you can buy theses braided lines. They are so easy and latterly no chance of kinking it when moving the fridge. Cut the Pex (special cutter) install a 3/4" x3/4" x 1/2" push fit connector T. slip a 6" piece of 1/2" pex into it and then install this kit I used in the video. DONE.

[@DaPainterDude]

+HouseImprovements I ended up buying a 15 ft ice maker copper line kit. The manufacture "Everbilt" which Home Depot carries is a joke. The give you fittings for connecting a flared copper line. Well the copper line has no flare to it. S the average Joe that goes to hook this up is going to have a serious water leak mess. Luckily I realized that wasn't right. You can't seat a straight cut copper line with flared fittings. This company is a joke and obviously have no clue what they are packaging. I feel sorry for the home owners that don't know any better. DONT BUY ANYTHING THAT MANUFACTURED BY EVERBILT FROM HOME WRECKERS, HOME DEPOT. So I went back and went off about it, the plumbing guy in the plumbing section said he was going to pull the rest of them from the shelf, he didn't they are still sitting there. SO I purchased the copper tapered barrel that u slide on the copper line and then tightened down with a brass nut. Then it turns out you can use the harness tap on Pex, so I saddled it on the Pex, torqued it down evenly and pierced the Pex with no issues. Turned water on and I had a small drip where copper tubing connect to the fridge. I put a wrench on it and tightened it up a tad more and the dribble stopped, moved fridge back, pushed a piece of paper under my fittings and called it the night. Checked the paper this morning and its bone dry. Job completed. EVERBILT 15 ft 1/4 in OD Copper Coil- 1001 274 449 is the product number DO NOT BUY THIS KIT, THE MANUFACTURE GIVES ALL OF THE WRONG FITTINGS FOR THIS KIT. EVERY SINGLE KIT ON THE SHELF HAD THE WRONG FITTINGS INSIDE!!! BUYER BEWARE, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

[@68pishta68]

Shannon, those shark bite (Parkers Parflex) style fittings leak over time...I had 4 in a water filtration system on 3/8 flex lines and they all were leaking after 7 years. DId the installer do something wrong? I was able to push up the collar and pull the tubing out with no release tool...does that sound right?

[@VideoNOLA]

Yes! You're supposed to MARK the tubing 1" in from end BEFORE inserting it into the push-fit adapter, so you can tell when it is fully seated. Otherwise (and this is easily the most common mistake) the tubing may encounter the plastic ferule (required for Pex, optional for copper) that comes preinstalled inside the fitting. A properly installed Sharkbite or other push-fit connection should withstand around 400 lbs. of tugging force before slipping out catastrophically. No way were yours done correctly!

[@burlsmith2268]

Where can I find that push fitting with the shut off.. I cant seem to locate them at our local stores

[@HouseImprovements]

+Burl Smith Most plumbing shops should have them.

[@nellpell]

We have a copper line connected to our fridge water dispenser with terrible water pressure. After troubleshooting we realized the line itself is the issue, it is connected via saddle valve. Is there anything we can do to rectify this? We don't have problems with water pressure anywhere else in the house.

[@HouseImprovements]

You may be able to convert over to this type of unit used in this video by cutting the copper pipe at the saddle valve location and installing this T connection

[@KurtSelf]

Darn. I needed to see the *other* end of the braided cable - to see how the 3/8 line was connected to the 1/4od (?) line on the fridge.

[@kirara4953]

Lucky me, my fridge is right next to sink and the cabinet has no walls in it to separate the "rooms" in it, so I just to install the T pipe and the hose for some reason my fridge came with a roll of it, new, weird.

[@united596]

The roll of hose goes inside your fridge, forwards the bottoms, behind the produce drawers, so that when you dispense water, it will be cold already.

[@milmade79]

What is the best line 2 use so the water don't taste bad

[@HouseImprovements]

milmade79 The type of line should really have no effect on the water taste .

[@Profound52]

What if you are on a slab foundation with no crawl space and the sink is on an island, not connected to any wall cabinets, in front of the refrigerator?

[@HouseImprovements]

Not going to work . The only way to get water to fridge is through the interior walls from somewhere else or chisel out the floor to lay a pipe.

[@cutieepie1952]

I have a extra fridge we are putting in our laundry room. How can i hook up the water line to the fridge from the cold water from the washing machine?

[@HouseImprovements]

If the water line is exposed you can do it the same way.

[@cutieepie1952]

Okay awesome thank you!

[@Maxid1]

I went with copper from the sink to the fridge. I'm weary of flex hoses. If you stay on top of them and replace them regularly they're no problem, it's just remembering to do it. So is this house a flip for you?

[@HouseImprovements]

I actually am not a fan of the copper pipe used for these as it is so soft and easily damaged. Have never had a flex line give any trouble yet. This is a flip

[@Maxid1]

I might have gone with a flex if the distance was shorter and the fact that it's going about 11 feet from feed to fridge. The copper was run beneath and up. The previous copper line lasted a few decades and was still serviceable when it was replaced. It just seems like you get more years out of copper than you do flex hose (I've ever had damage to the copper lines, just normal wear and tear and I've needed to replace flex hose). I guess it's all according to your own experience.

[@hugouriostegui02]

my fridge is on the opposite side of the sink. what would you recommend?

[@HouseImprovements]

If you mean opposite side of the room then I recommend routing the line under the floor if you can

[@jeffosborne6961]

Is there any way to hook it up to a washer water line?

[@HouseImprovements]

really this valve would work in any copper or pex cold water line

[@RELOADINGandSHOOTING]

My dilemma is, our refrigerator is about 4 feet away from the sink located in an island. The floor is ceramic tiles. How do I run the hose from the refrigerator to the island sink?

[@HouseImprovements]

you could only do it if you have access below the floor. Run the lines down through and under the floor

[@bonnybrown72]

You replied to an inquiry that the type of water line should not matter. Well we installed an ice cube maker with a kit that had a plastic hose. Ice cubes are horrible tasting. We must have ran a million trays of ice. Its been a year now and still the ice is horrible. They taste like the hose smells. I am trying to find out the best hose. Copper,stainless flex or what is recommended. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

[@PierrePienaar]

Copper. And don't buy smelly pipes.

[@sammyg3697]

Good no Sattle valve good

[@TheYzeman]

I need to hook-up an icemaker in the kitchen for my mom, but there's a couple of problems. I can't do anything from below because the basement ceiling is finished in that area. I will have to run a line from the sink through a lazy susan around a corner, some how past a stove (behind it?) then through another spot that has drawers before finally reaching the fridge. Can I safely run the line behind the stove? Not sure how to do it.

[@HouseImprovements]

Yes absolutely, you may need to extend the waterline to the fridge because of the distance you are going . Just buy an extra hose and a brass fitting connector to join two together.

[@saliston]

I did that before. I bought a extra long braided hose and its worked perfectly for years.

[@fedilindigenousking3172]

Great video, will that valve work on cpvc pipe?

[@HouseImprovements]

No it will not

[@fedilindigenousking3172]

@@HouseImprovements nice thank you

[@Sylvan_dB]

@@HouseImprovements It should work on CPVC. The sharkbite version does. CPVC is also sized by CTS (copper tube size) just like copper (of course) and PEX.

[@hjones5056]

Mr. HouseImprovements you rock! Thanks so much for taking the time to make your videos. I've watched several and have learned so much. Thanks again.

[@HouseImprovements]

H Jones Thank you Mr Jones!

[@Loader81]

This is a serious question.. I have a spare fridge in my garage (for beer). Is there a way to convert the water dispenser to a vodka dispenser?

[@HouseImprovements]

I believe most fridges use the house water pressure to keep the tank full and then use either a small pump or gravity to dispense it, so as long as you can feed it to the tank it could work?

[@SamDSo]

would i hire a handyman to do this? or a plumber?

[@Funeguy82]

Why was it necessary to put two valves on. You have supply to both with the one??

[@HouseImprovements]

But if you turn it off with a single valve, both the cold supply to the sink and the cold supply to the fridge are off. If you have a separate valve for each then if you are doing maintenance or anything to one item the second is still functional.

[@EYECOMEINPEACE]

Are you located in Canada? Where? Just curious. Thought I saw a mastercraft tape measure in one of your other vids.

[@HouseImprovements]

+goggles pizano Saskatchewan

[@EYECOMEINPEACE]

Cool.

[@christiansantiago3655]

My refrigerator is across from my sink, any idea how to run it from across to make it work?

[@HouseImprovements]

Under the floor?

[@christiansantiago3655]

HouseImprovements you see I would probably have to run the line through the cabinets then put the line under where the carpet molding is that separates the living room/kitchen. Would the lime get damaged like that ? Or how would I hide the line? Would a plastic line also be an option ?

[@FiveCardArmy]

How come no thread tape? I never know when to use that stuff.

[@pconrz]

+FiveCardArmy Use it. Don't be afraid.

[@visa1960]

That's the best valve , I just hooked up my fridge using the same material your using

[@HouseImprovements]

+EPHRAIM VIVIAN yes this is superior to the "puncture" type

[@TheBigBruski]

I knew Shannon from 7 years ago would bail me out.

[@joerice4337]

Very well put. This push on valve will be safe from leaks?

[@HouseImprovements]

+Joe Rice Thats what the manufacture says. I have not seen a failure yet,and I've been using them about 4 yrs.