Ice maker hookup

Verdeboy · Oct 30, 2006

I want to tap into the cold line under a kitchen sink to hook up an ice maker. Is the best (and only) way to do this to install a saddle valve into the 1/2" copper supply line? There is a shutoff valve right there as well. Do they make a shutoff valve with a 1/4" nipple?

I personally don't like saddle valves as it seems like it's just a matter of time before they start leaking.

Lancaster · Oct 30, 2006

I dont like Saddle valves either.Yes they make compression stop valves with 1/4" compression outlet,but only angle stops.They work great with the braided supply lines for icemakers.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

George R · Oct 30, 2006

I don't like saddle valves either. They never work when you need to move the frig.

Solder in a 1/2" T with a short stub of pipe connected to a 1/2" male adapter (cut below the sink shutoff). Screw a 1/4 turn shutoff valve (1/2" female x 1/2" female) on to the adapter. On the output side of the shutoff, put a 1/2 MIP by 1/4" compression adapter. Run 1/4 copper tubing to the refrigerator.

You don't necessarily have to tap in under the sink, if it's easier to tap into a cold water line in the basement, do so.

Verdeboy · Oct 30, 2006

George R said:
I don't like saddle valves either. They never work when you need to move the frig.

Solder in a 1/2" T with a short stub of pipe connected to a 1/2" male adapter (cut below the sink shutoff). Screw a 1/4 turn shutoff valve (1/2" female x 1/2" female) on to the adapter. On the output side of the shutoff, put a 1/2 MIP by 1/4" compression adapter. Run 1/4 copper tubing to the refrigerator.

You don't necessarily have to tap in under the sink, if it's easier to tap into a cold water line in the basement, do so.

I'm looking for a little simpler way of doing this.

Right now, it's between the saddle valve and the angle stop with 1/4" nipple.

Verdeboy · Oct 30, 2006

Lancaster said:
I dont like Saddle valves either.Yes they make compression stop valves with 1/4" compression outlet,but only angle stops.They work great with the braided supply lines for icemakers.

Excuse my ignorance, but is it difficult or not recommended to replace a straight stop with an angle stop? Are they used in different situations, or is it just a matter of individual taste?

Gary Swart · Oct 30, 2006

The best way to do this is to install a tee in the supply line. Then use a short piece of pipe and a ball valve. On the outlet side of the valve, reduce to the copper tubing to the ice maker. This will give you a connection that will be virtually fail proof. The best place to tie into the supply line will depend on your home, but the basement or crawlspace is the probably the best. Throw that saddle valve piece of s##t as far away as possible. Sure they're simple to install, but they are prone to fail.

Verdeboy · Oct 30, 2006

Gary Swart said:
The best way to do this is to install a tee in the supply line. Then use a short piece of pipe and a ball valve. On the outlet side of the valve, reduce to the copper tubing to the ice maker. This will give you a connection that will be virtually fail proof. The best place to tie into the supply line will depend on your home, but the basement or crawlspace is the probably the best. Throw that saddle valve piece of s##t as far away as possible. Sure they're simple to install, but they are prone to fail.

Under the kitchen sink is where I want to tap into the supply line. I can run the 1/4" braided supply line behind the kitchen cabinet, along the floor for a few feet and into the back of the frig. No muss, no fuss.

So far, changing out the stop valve for one with the extra 1/4" fitting sounds like the easiest and safest way to go. I have limited experience sweating pipes!

Cal · Oct 31, 2006

Look at the Dahl line of supply valves .

There are fantastic configurations that you can create ! All 1/4 turn , diffrent sizes,,,,,, this is the BEST full line of cut-offs I've ever used.

Good luck !

hj · Oct 31, 2006

tee

A good plumbing supply place with have an "Add a Tee" 3/8"x1/4" that you connect to the existing valve after unfastening the supply tube, assuming you do not have the one piece valve/tube with the corrugated supply tube, then reconnect the supply to the top of the tee and your RO to the side of it.

Verdeboy · Oct 31, 2006

hj said:
A good plumbing supply place with have an "Add a Tee" 3/8"x1/4" that you connect to the existing valve after unfastening the supply tube, assuming you do not have the one piece valve/tube with the corrugated supply tube, then reconnect the supply to the top of the tee and your RO to the side of it.

That's the one I went with and it worked like a charm.

Amazingly, none of the local supply houses even heard of it, yet alone carried it. But fortunately our local hardware chain, "Do it Best" had that tee hanging up on the wall next to the ice maker install kit. The kit came with 15 ft. of white plastic tubing and a saddle valve, which I threw in the trash.

Thanks to you and everyone else who had input on this.

Ice maker hookup

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