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how does a saddle valve work

by Mia Beier Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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.

Full Answer

Can you turn off saddle valve?

The saddle valve’s internal parts may corrode to the point you cannot turn the valve off or back on. Can a water shut off valve go bad? You can spend time rebuilding the old valve, but the problems will just reappear years from now.

How does a PCV valve work exactly?

  • Idle/Low RPM: High Vacuum, PCV Valve Half Closed
  • Higher RPMs: Lower Vacuum, PCV Valve Open Fully
  • Backfire from crankcase: PCV Valve Closing

Do saddle valves go bad?

The saddle valve’s internal parts may corrode to the point you cannot turn the valve off or back on. Saddle valves are not acceptable under many building codes. If you put your house on the market and an inspector finds the saddle valve., you must make a proper replacement that meets code.

How do you change a saddle valve?

The Process of Removing a Saddle Valve

  1. Prepare the Necessary Tools. You’ll need more than a few tools to remove and replace a saddle valve. ...
  2. Find the Saddle Valve. To get started on the project, go to the back of your fridge and look for the waterline. ...
  3. Turn Off the Saddle Valve. ...
  4. Cut the Saddle Valve Out of the System. ...
  5. Clean the Pipes and Tee Fitting. ...
  6. Put the Copper Tee into Position. ...

More items...

What is saddle valve?

Where to place rubber washer on saddle valve?

How to relieve pressure in water lines?

Can saddle valves be concealed?

Can saddle valves be used on PVC?

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How do you use a saddle valve?

2:463:45How to Install a Saddle Valve (Plumbing Tutorial) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe pipe by twisting the valve all the way in and then turning it back halfway. You can now checkMoreThe pipe by twisting the valve all the way in and then turning it back halfway. You can now check that the water flows. And you're done.

Should a saddle valve be opened all the way?

Self-tapping devices are called saddle valves. Once mounted on a line, all you need to do is turn the valve clockwise until it pierces the water line. tapping the pipe is done when the valve handle is not turned.

Should you use a saddle valve?

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 you open 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.

Can you shut the water off on a saddle valve?

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.

How do I know if my saddle valve is open?

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.

What is wrong with saddle valves?

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. Extensive property damage could result from these leaks.

What is better than a saddle valve?

A similarly DIY-friendly but more reliable alternative to a saddle valve is a push-fit tee connector designed for ice makers and water dispensers. You install these by cutting out a short section of pipe and installing the tee right into the water line, then adding the small supply line leading to the appliance.

How do you fix a clogged saddle valve?

The simplest way to fix it is to just replace the saddle vale with a new one. A better fix would be to cut that section of the pipe out and replace it with a Sharkbite T. Then you can attach a good quality quarter-turn ball valve and a Sharkbite reducer fitting.

Can you over tighten a saddle valve?

Replacing your saddle valve Then place the needle point over the pin-hole hole made by the previous valve and tighten each clamp bolt a little at a time so the pin tightens evenly. Finally, test that the valve works and there is no leakage. Don't over tighten the bolts because copper pipe can be crushed.

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 clipAnd push it inside the saddle valve here with the needle. Open who's gonna feed that needle into theMoreAnd push it inside the saddle valve here with the needle. Open who's gonna feed that needle into the hole. Should feel like kind of make a connection here oh there's more going down my sleeve.

How do you cap off a water line to a refrigerator?

The unscrew the adaptor fitting out of the fridge. Reconnect the tube to the adaptor fitting and screw a 3/8" threaded brass cap onto the end that was connected to the fridge. Use a little pipe dope or teflon tape on the threads. Turn the water back on and inspect the joints for leaks.

How do saddle valves work?

Saddle valves are installed by tightening a metal clamp onto a water pipe, then tightening down a needle valve ...

Is saddle valve allowed in Minnesota?

These saddle valves are prone to leakage, and they’re not allowed by the Minnesota State Plumbing Code. There is actually nothing in the Minnesota State Plumbing Code that specifically prohibits these types of valves; they’re just not approved. Section 4715.0420 of the MN State Plumbing Code gives a list of approval standards.

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.

What is saddle valve?

A saddle valve is a valve used to supply liquid where a low volume, low pressure stream is required. The name is derived from the fact that it is mounted in such a way that it "saddles" the line, mounting it from both sides.

Can you use a saddle valve without shutting off the water supply?

These valves can be installed without shutting off the main water supply. Plumbing codes, local or international, often do not allow use of a saddle valve; instead a tee and a conventional globe, gate, or ball valve is to be installed.

What is saddle valve?

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.

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 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 do you drill a water shut off valve?

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. The saddle valve is clamped on to a water pipe. Also known as a refrigerator water shut-off valve, most saddle valves are self-piercing.

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 ...

Can you use a refrigerator water shut off valve on a PEX water pipe?

Self-piercing saddle valves are designed to fit on copper or brass pipes and cannot be used with PEX water pipe, according to Natural Handyman.

What is saddle valve?

The term saddle derives from the shape of the valve as it sits atop a water pipe; the term needle refers to the sharp, hollow needle inside the valve that punctures the water pipe after the valve is mounted.

Where to place rubber washer on saddle valve?

Place the rubber washer or gasket on the underside of the top bracket of the saddle valve so its opening is directly aligned with the needle on the valve. Fit the top and bottom brackets of the saddle valve around the water supply pipe and hold them in place.

How to relieve pressure in water lines?

Turn off the Water. Shut off the water supply to the water pipe being tapped. If there is no shutoff valve that can turn off the pipe locally , turn off the water to the entire house at the main shutoff valve, then relieve pressure in the water lines by opening the lowest faucet in the house.

Can saddle valves be concealed?

Plenty of saddle valves have worked reliably and leak-free for many years, but due to the mixed track record of these devices, it's best to use them only where they are completely visible and can be inspected periodically. Never install a saddle valve where it is concealed inside a wall or floor cavity.

Can saddle valves be used on PVC?

Most saddle valves are designed to work with standard rigid copper pipes —they are not recommended for PVC, CPVC, or PEX plastic pipe.

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1.Videos of How Does a Saddle Valve Work

Url:/videos/search?q=how+does+a+saddle+valve+work&qpvt=how+does+a+saddle+valve+work&FORM=VDRE

22 hours ago  · How does a saddle valve work? 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.

2.How to Install a Self-Piercing Saddle Valve - The Spruce

Url:https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-install-needle-saddle-valve-4125839

25 hours ago  · 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.

3.Saddle valves: cheap, easy, and wrong

Url:https://structuretech.com/saddle-valves-cheap-easy-and-wrong/

23 hours ago  · What Are Saddle Valves? Saddle valves are self-piercing devices, used to supply a low volume of water to a variety of appliances. A 1/4″ outlet tube is used to supply things like ice makers, water dispensers, and humidifiers. Pros of Using Saddle Valves. Easy to install-You can have your ice maker up and going in less than 30 minutes. Does not require special tools-Most …

4.Saddle valve - Wikipedia

Url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddle_valve

36 hours ago  · It is a low-flow device and often used to run water to a refrigerator ice maker. The valve clamps around a water pipe and, when the handle is rotated clockwise, a sharp pin pierces the pipe and begins a flow of water. Unfortunately, saddle valves are prone to leakage and are specifically prohibited by the Florida Building Code:

5.How to Shut off a Saddle Valve on a Refrigerator | Hunker

Url:https://www.hunker.com/13409925/how-to-shut-off-a-saddle-valve-on-a-refrigerator

13 hours ago  · 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. The saddle valve is clamped on to a water pipe.

6.Replace a Saddle Valve in 5 Minutes to Fix, Repair Water …

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTA7rx1RUms

13 hours ago

7.Why You Should Never Use A Saddle Valve on Your …

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lLW2sJLa0I

1 hours ago

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