Installing a water line will provide a fountain of fresh water and ice that you can enjoy with your household.
The water line connection is for the supply of steady water for generating ice and dispensing clean water. Some refrigerators are automatic ice makers, thus making life more convenient.
Among other home improvement retail corporations, the American retailer Home Depot stands out.
It is known for selling home construction products, tools, and appliances and offering home services.
Home Depot installs a water line for refrigerators and leaves an additional 8 feet of tubing behind the refrigerator. Home Depot has an easier way of making the installation and does not necessarily need to snake a 1/4-inch flexible water supply tube to a source using saddle valves.
Does Home Depot Install Water Supply Lines For Refrigerators?
Of course, Home Depot installs water supply lines for refrigerators. The professional installer is quite good at this form of installation.
It may not require saddle shutoff valves, typically used to connect the water supply to home appliances like the refrigerator, dishwashers, etc.
The reason is that Home Depot does not offer substandard installations and will not risk water leaks by using a saddle shutoff valve.
Installing a water line for refrigerators to supply its ice maker and drinking water dispenser seemed difficult.
Before now, installers had to snake a 1/4-inch flexible copper tubing from the refrigerator to the nearest water source and tap using saddle valves.
#1. Why Not Use A Saddle Valve?
Study shows that saddle salves reportedly have a high propensity to leak. Therefore, most modern professional installers have long debunked it.
Some years back, we saw saddle valves differently because they had been helpful in the installation projects until now.
Like other installers, Home Depot opts for standard-fitting faucet shutoff valves. With a shutoff valve, you can join with the straight run of a water pipe by overlapping and bolting them.
Rather than sticking to the saddle valve, you should substitute it for a standard fixture shutoff valve or launch a unique adapter.
#2. Does A Refrigerator Need A Water Supply Line?
If running a water/ice dispenser, your refrigerator needs a water line. Even though water/ice dispensers seem to have taken over in the fridge market, some people are determined to avoid them.
Besides the fact that such refrigerators are not mandatory, not having them might save you from leaks and performance issues.
Refrigerators without dispensers are less expensive and can have easy maintenance. The ones with dispensers leave no room for food because the door is already preoccupied.
Remember, you don’t need a water line if you do not have any business with a dispenser or ice maker.
#3. How To Install Water Supply Line For Refrigerators?
It takes prior knowledge to begin water line installation. Therefore, whether you are a professional or a novice, you need to take all the necessary precautions, so you don’t mess things up.
Consider the following tips and make good use of them.
#1. Shut The Main Valve
Closing off the main valve that supplies water for your home is a prudent step against tragic water damage. The same thing applies to water supply line installation.
Of course, you would not want to risk flooding in your house, all in the name of a water line installation. Shutting the valve is the best protection against any water-related emergency.
#2. Choose The Location For Your Valve
Select where to mount the valve on your waterline. It is best to use vertical pipes, but if horizontal pipes are available, put the valve’s hole by the pipe’s side or its top.
It would be best if you didn’t use the bottom so you can avoid getting residue into the ice compartment.
#3. Drill A Hole Into The Cold Water Line
You must cut a hole through the water line for your valve. Ensure that water does not get into the hole no matter what.
And also, ensure to drill the pipe only on one side, or else you’re likely to damage that pipe for that installation.
#4. Connect Your Valve To The Pipe
Use pipe clamps to attach the valve to the pipe. Keep tightening the valve on the pipe, looking out for any swelling in the sealing water.
That does not mean you can over-tighten it because if you do, you will likely break your copper pipe.
#5. Path The Tubing To Your Refrigerator
You will have to make holes through your floors or walls or simultaneously drill holes through both.
After tubing, remember to keep extra feet of the tubing behind (about 8 feet). So that even after installation, you can shift the refrigerator from your wall.
If you do not leave an extra tubing, you will always have to disconnect it while cleaning or servicing.
#6. Connect The Tubing To The Valve
It would help if you slipped the ferrule and compression nut onto your tubing. Using your hands, join the tubing and the valve, then turn it again with a twist.
#7. Flush The Tube
Turn on the water at the valve to flow, flushing the tube into a bucket, at least a quart (0.94 liters).
If the water isn’t clear enough, allow it to keep flowing until it becomes clear. Close the water at your newly mounted valve.
#8. Connect Your Ferrule And Its Pressure Nut
Attach your ferrule and its pressure nut to a hose at your refrigerator end. Connect the nut to your refrigerator valve.
When your refrigerator accepts, run your tubing through the stocking hook, holding it at the correct angle.
#9. Turn On The Water At The Valve
You must turn on the pipe valve water to identify any leaks. Of course, you can’t leave it at this point and presume there would be no problems. If you observe any leaks, tighten the nuts again.
#10. Plug In Your Refrigerator
You don’t have another thing to do rather than plugging in your refrigerator to a power source and switching on the refrigerator ice maker as signified.
You can repeat steps as a way of flushing the system. However, it would help if you didn’t use the initial two-three collections of ice.
What Tools Do You Need For The Installation?
Water line installation requires tools like a drill, an adjustable wrench, 1/4-inch outside measure compression nuts, and pipe clamps.
It also requires a saddle shutoff valve, two ferrules, and 1/4″ copper tubing -at least10 feet.
The diagram below contains the necessary water line installation tools and their uses. Every installer understands the need to provide the tools before beginning the installation in the first place.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Water Supply Line For A Refrigerator?
Installing a refrigerator water supply line should cost between $70 and $130. The cost for you might best be down to $30-45 because it will now depend on your agreement with the plumber.
Moreover, supposing your refrigerator had an ice maker that still functions, it won’t be that expensive because you have solved half of the problem.
If you have installed a fine water line, switching an old hose for a new one is simpler than other tasks. A new hose will cost you between $15-30 at most.
How Much Should Labor Cost Install An Ice Maker?
The labor cost to install an ice maker should fall between $350-$423.81.
This estimate covers every possible element related to installing an ice maker; the estimate is a function of the work conditions, job size, and other related stuff.
Other plumbers may tend to offer you discounts and relieve you of your burden.
One of the reasons people don’t bother to go for ice maker-equipped refrigerators or install ice makers in their refrigerators is the cost.
Ice maker-equipped refrigerators are expensive even though they are fond of having issues.
Final Thoughts
Well, ice maker/dispenser challenges range from the cost of installation to the cost of maintenance.
Even though you may be upgrading from an old model or installing a new one, you will have to install a water supply line to bask in the convenience of chilled water and ice.
Home Depot is committed to doing its task, provided the refrigerator’s owner meets its side of the bargain.
