You’ve got that brand-new refrigerator. That one you’ve been coveting. You know, the one with the water and ice in the door. Now you can get cubes and crushed ice and a cold glass of water whenever you want it. Of course, plumbing a line to your new refrigerator has to come first, and, for some, that’s a small stumbling block to getting their new appliance up and running.
Can I do it myself?
Some homeowners are good at tasks that include plumbing, while others may not even wish to attempt it. However, if you’re into DIY you may be capable of doing this yourself. It shouldn’t take super long if you’re familiar with certain tools and the basics of plumbing. As such, you might be able to save some money if you’re willing to spend a little extra time on the project.
Here’s what you’ll need. You may be familiar with these items. But if you’re not, you can ask for help at your local hardware or home improvement store. They should be easy to get and not too expensive.
- Pipe tee (made of either copper or PVC) and the materials for attaching the tee made of that same material
- Short pipe (about 10 cm)
- Stop valve
- Flexible tubing (length variable according to your needs)
- Drill with appropriate bits
- Wrench
- Cable clamps
What comes next?
First, you need to find the COLD water line that’s most conveniently located to your refrigerator.
It could be the same one used for your sink, but in many cases – especially in large kitchens – the two may be on opposite sides of the room. There may be something closer.
Next, turn off your water supply at the main.
You’ll also need to drain the cold water valve by turning on the cold water faucet.
You’ll now need to insert a pipe tee into the cold water line.
If you’re working with PVC pipe, you’ll need PVC cement as well as coupling pieces. If your pipes are copper, you’ll need to solder the pieces together. There are many videos available online that can assist you with this step in the process of plumbing a line to your new refrigerator. Getting this part right is essential to avoid leaks.
Next, attach a short pipe (about 10-12 cm) to the tee.
Then attach a stop valve to the end of that short pipe. Again, when you’re purchasing these pieces, be sure you’re buying the right ones according to the material you’ll be working with – either copper or PVC.
Before you go any further, turn on the water supply and test your connection.
You need to make sure it’s holding tight. (If you soldered copper pipes, make sure they cool before you do this test.) If there are no discernible leaks, you can proceed to the next step.
Next, plan the route that the water will take to get to your refrigerator and determine how much flexible tubing you’ll need to get things flowing properly.
Remember, you can’t make any sharp turns with the tubing as it will kink and the water will stop flowing. Once you’ve decided on a workable route, cut the tubing for that length plus about 2- 3 meters. This will allow the refrigerator to be pulled out if it ever needs servicing.
If you need to drill holes through flooring or cabinets for the most direct route, do that now.
If you have to pass through a wall, you may consider hiring a professional who can detect whether wiring or ductwork might be in the way.
Now you can attach the flexible tubing to the stop valve at the end of the tee you installed back in the first step.
Securely tighten the tubing to the stop valve with a wrench. Just hand-tightening won’t do the job.
Insert the tubing through the holes you made until you reach the refrigerator.
Attach a few cable clamps to the adjacent wall to secure the flexible piping to it. Let the tubing fall freely to the floor when it reaches the location of the refrigerator. Now you’re ready to bring in your new appliance and hook it up!
Should I really do this myself?
Certainly, if you’re an experienced DIYer who’s done some plumbing work, you can tackle this on your own. But if using any of the needed tools or completing any of the steps listed here makes you nervous, hire a professional to do it.
At Urban Water Works, we can take care of plumbing a line to your new refrigerator in a jiffy! Our plumbing professionals will familiarize themselves with your home and determine the best route for your new line. We have the tools and supplies needed to complete the job quickly and with precision. We’ll save you time and help you avoid costly errors.
For this and any water main, sewer, drainage service, or additional water-related needs, call us to schedule an appointment at 604-790-8993.