how do you install a saddle valve on an ice maker

Installation

• Run your supply line from the supply location to the appliance and tighten it. Careful not to overtighten. ...
• The supply pipe you will use should be clean and free of corrosion and dirt.
• The T-handle should be turned out so that the piercing needle is inside the valve.
• Then attach the rubber gasket.
• Clamp the valve over the supply pipe and tighten the clamp screws. ...

Full Answer

Where do you put a saddle valve?

You can install a saddle valve on a pipe under the kitchen sink! I would not recommend attaching the valve to the 3/8" faucet inlet tubes, because they are thin walled and may bend excessively or even crush when you clamp on the valve! Instead, attach the saddle valve to the cold water supply line before the shutoff.

Should I turn off water to install saddle valve?

Instead of installing a T-fitting, or T-valve at an existing water pipe, as is required by current building standards, a self-piercing saddle valve can be installed without having to turn off the water supply and cut into existing pipes.

How do you put a saddle valve together?

0:001:02How to Install a Saddle Valve - Humidifier Valve - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we just go all the way down and all the way through it and then once we create this hole weMoreAnd we just go all the way down and all the way through it and then once we create this hole we should be able to back it off. And allow the water to flow.

What is a saddle valve for ice maker?

0:3718:47Plumbing Tips: 2 Saddle Valve Alternatives For Ice Maker LinesYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo anyway in today's video we're going to be talking about the saddle valve now this is a saddleMoreSo anyway in today's video we're going to be talking about the saddle valve now this is a saddle valve right here. And what this saddle valve does right here is when you buy a new refrigerator a lot

Why are saddle valves illegal?

Once the faucet is turned on, water will flow through the copper pipe, out the pinhole and through the ice maker line. Saddle valves are against plumbing code now because they are prone to leaks.

How do I know if my saddle valve is open or closed?

In order to tell if the valve is open or closed, the general rule is, if the handle is switched 90deg to the flow, it is off. As you can see from the diagram above, if the handle is in line with the flow path, it is on. Simple.

Can you turn a saddle valve too far?

As far as opening and closing the valve, don't worry about it. The saddle valve only pierces the pipe once. After that there is no further increase in the size of the opening. There is no additional stress placed on the valve by opening and closing it.

How do you fix a leaking saddle valve?

If the valve has a slight leakage around the valve stem, simply tightening the packing nut may stop it. If it won't tighten, or the valve handle doesn't turn, or the valve has corrosion around the stem from past seepage, then just replace it.

What is a saddle valve used for?

A saddle valve is a plumbing device that can be used to add an additional water supply line from an existing pipe. It's called a saddle valve because it mounts on top of the host pipe that it is tapping into.

Do saddle valves get clogged?

Because saddle valves are not permanently attached, they are prone to leaks and can potentially cause extensive property damage when they ultimately leak. Saddle valves tend to reduce water flow, causing them to become clogged and leak.

Will a saddle valve leak?

Saddle valves don't have one. Most of them don't leak, but they have a much higher chance of leaking than a properly installed water valve.

Can you install a saddle valve on PEX pipe?

Saddle valves are usually designed for use with rigid copper pipes; they should not be used with PVC, CPVC, or PEX plastic pipes.

How do you turn off water with a saddle valve?

Saddle valves are self-tapping devices. Once mounted on a line, with the included rubber seal in place, all that is required is to turn the valve clockwise until it pierces the water line. When the valve handle can no longer be turned, it is done tapping the pipe. Turning the handle counter-clockwise opens the valve.

How do you replace a saddle valve?

0:001:39Replace a Saddle Valve - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTurn off the water remove the saddle valve by unscrewing the two bolts you're going to have a holeMoreTurn off the water remove the saddle valve by unscrewing the two bolts you're going to have a hole where the valve. Was cut out the section of pipe for the new valve.

How do you put a saddle valve on a PVC pipe?

3:227:23Installing a Saddle Valve on CPVC (whoops!) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe same time I don't want to be too. Because I do want it to work. So got my clutch set its. It.MoreThe same time I don't want to be too. Because I do want it to work. So got my clutch set its. It. Let's open it.

Will a saddle valve leak?

Saddle valves don't have one. Most of them don't leak, but they have a much higher chance of leaking than a properly installed water valve.

How to make a tee valve?

Photo 1: Mark and cut. Mark the pipe at each end of the tee threads. Then cut out a 1-in. section between the lines. Photo 2: Slip and tighten. Slide the valve completely onto the bottom section of the tubing. Then move it up to mate with the top section and tighten the compression nuts.

What size shutoff valve for sweat tee?

Instead, install a sweat or compression tee with a 1/4-in. shutoff valve. Tees and shutoffs are available for copper, PEX, steel or CPVC, some with integral shutoffs like the unit shown here, which comes with compression fittings and a ball valve (available from Sioux Chief )

Can you shut off an icemaker after a year?

They clog and leak, and they’re almost impossible to shut off completely after several years of use.

Can you use a saddle tee valve on an icemaker?

Prevent leaks with a better supply valve. Don't use a saddle tee valve for an icemaker or water filter supply line . A tee with a shutoff is much more reliable, and easy to install.

How to install a shut off valve on a ice maker?

The fastest and easiest way to install the shutoff valve is to use a SharkBite valve. They’re available in a size that will slide right onto your stub, with a straight or right-angle output end that will accept the compression fitting from the ice maker tubing. Again, make sure to mark the correct insertion depth, then just push the valve body onto the pipe until you hit the mark, and boom – you’re ready to connect your tubing!

How to connect ice maker to refrigerator?

You’re almost ready to start cranking out some ice! The only thing left to do is to connect the compression fitting on the end of the ice maker tubing to the shutoff valve, and connect the other end to your fridge. It’s pretty straightforward; make sure the compression ring is in place around the tubing, and snug up the nut around it onto the threads on the shutoff valve, and onto your refrigerator’s connection point. Don’t go all Hulk on it, just make sure it’s good and snug.

What kind of tubing is used for ice maker lines?

Along with plastic, tubing to install an ice maker line is available in copper…

Why do you open a faucet upstream?

Opening a faucet upstream helps the water drain (don’t forget to turn it off after the water is drained).

Can you use Sharkbite connectors on ice maker lines?

You can be a bit of a slacker if you’re using SharkBite connectors to install an ice maker line. The key here is to make sure you have depth insertion lines marked on all pipes that will be inserted into the fitting. This ensures all the parts you put together will stay together, without spraying water everywhere, which is generally the preferred outcome. Insert one end up to the mark, then the other end; the fitting can be rotated after everything is together with no negative consequences.

Do you need a T fitting for an ice maker?

With the T fitting installed, your quest to install an ice maker line is in the home stretch. It’s a good idea to install a shutoff before you add the ice maker tubing. This will make it much easier to do repairs in the future, in case the tubing gets damaged and springs a leak, or requires other servicing.

What is saddle valve?

These are devices that allow for a very fast, cheap, do-it-yourself installation of a ¼” water supply line, typically used to supply water to ice makers and whole-house humidifiers.

How much does it cost to replace a saddle valve?

If you’re comfortable soldering copper tubing and you already have the equipment to do it, this project will cost about $10. If not, this project will cost about twice as much by using a push fitting tee.

What tool do I need to solder copper tubing?

You’ll need a pipe cutting tool whether you decide to solder the copper fittings or use a push fitting. The parts needed for this project are a ½” copper tee or a ½” push fitting tee, a short length of ½” copper tubing, and a stop valve with a ½” copper tubing inlet and a ¼” compression outlet. Oddly enough, a ¼-turn push fitting valve goes for $8.72 at Home Depot, while the inferior-in-every-way multi-turn compression valve goes for $9.76. Naturally, I bought the push fitting valve.

Can you leave a saddle valve alone?

If you already have a saddle valve in your home, try to leave it alone. Every time you operate the valve, you increase the potential for a leak. If you already have a saddle valve installed and you’d like to replace it with a proper stop valve, read on.

Can a saddle valve leak?

Most of them don’t leak, but they have a much higher chance of leaking than a properly installed water valve. My advice is to not use saddle valves. When installing an ice maker or whole-house humidifier, tap off of an existing water line with a proper tee fitting and have a proper shutoff valve installed.

Can saddle valves leak in Minnesota?

There is. These saddle valves are prone to leakage, and they’re not allowed by the Minnesota State Plumbing Code.

Where is the saddle valve located?

Look to see if the pipe runs through a hole in a side cabinet, which usually means the saddle valve is located under the kitchen sink or a hole in the floor leading to the saddle valve in the basement.

What type of pipe is used to connect a saddle valve to a refrigerator?

A flexible copper, vinyl or stainless steel pipe is connected to the saddle valve and run to the back of the refrigerator. When the valve is opened, water is supplied to the refrigerator.

What Is a Saddle Valve?

A saddle valve kind of looks like a horse saddle and fits over the water pipe similar to the way a saddle fits on a horse. Saddle valves can be used on appliances such as humidifiers but are most commonly used with refrigerators. A saddle valve is installed by locating an accessible pipe in the area of the refrigerator. Usually a hole must be drilled in a cabinet or in the floor to make a pipe accessible, which is what can make locating the water shut-off valve to the refrigerator a little difficult.

How to stop a refrigerator from leaking water?

After locating the saddle valve, turn off the water supply to the refrigerator by turning the saddle valve handle clockwise. You may get a little bit of water from the valve's packing nut as you close it. If so, it should stop leaking once the valve is fully closed.

What controls the water supply to a refrigerator?

The saddle valve controls the water to the refrigerator. A refrigerator with an ice maker or a water dispenser needs to be connected to the water supply in order to work. The water feed to a refrigerator is usually connected with a saddle valve, which is where you can find the refrigerator water shut-off valve.

Where is the water shut off valve on a refrigerator?

The water feed to a refrigerator is usually connected with a saddle valve, which is where you can find the refrigerator water shut-off valve. The saddle valve is usually installed on a nearby pipe under the kitchen sink but is sometimes installed in the basement. Locating the water shut-off valve to the refrigerator can often be ...

How to stop ice maker from cycling?

Turn off the ice maker to prevent it from cycling on and off. On the back of your refrigerator, locate the water supply line for the ice maker and water dispenser. It will be either a 3/8-inch or a 1/4-inch pipe made of flexible copper, poly or stainless steel.