Many new refrigerators come with the cool benefit of making fresh ice whenever you need it. But suppose you own an older fridge that doesn’t have an ice maker. In that case, you’re probably wondering how to get an ice maker water line installation done.
On the other hand, maybe your ice maker is on the fritz and you just found out that—between parts, labor, and manufacturer markups—the cost to replace an ice maker could be $400 to $500. Whatever the case, learning how to connect a water line to the fridge is a doable DIY project for handy homeowners. Learn how to connect a water line to your fridge in this step-by-step guide.
As the saying goes for many DIY home improvement projects, you’ll want to measure twice and cut once when installing a new ice maker and refrigerator water supply line. If you do, this job should be relatively straightforward. (Or, you may find that you don’t need to cut anything at all.)
To plan your new water line for an ice maker:
Move your fridge out (carefully, to avoid scuffing the floor)
Look for existing water lines behind your fridge or under the sink
Check under your sink for additional hookups
Look in your basement or crawl space for pipes or obstacles underneath the floor
The main question you—or a local ice machine repair specialist—need to answer is: will your new water line be connected to the sink or to pipes in your basement or crawl space? It all depends on the layout of your kitchen.
If you discover your new fridge and existing sink both have hookups already, your task is pretty simple: connect a 1/4-by-1/4-inch flex supply tube (or whatever the ice maker kit came with) to both ends, and you’re done.
Drill Holes (If Necessary)
If there aren’t any existing water lines or open connections, you’ll need to drill a hole behind or under the refrigerator or below the sink (or both).
For sink-to-fridge connections, drill a hole in the base of the cabinet or the cabinet wall to run a line from the sink to the fridge.
For basement or crawl space connections, drill a hole under the base of your fridge or into the wall behind it. Make sure you drill in a spot that will be easy to connect to the main water line.
A friendly word—proceed carefully with this second option. Make sure you don’t hit any pipes below your fridge with the drill. Have a friend or family member in the basement to help you map out the best drill spot.
Shut Off and Drain Your Water Line
Shut off the water before connecting any pipes. The water main valve is usually located in the basement.
If you’re using an existing sink connection, drain the water lines to the sink first to prevent an impromptu kitchen shower. To do this, turn off your main water supply and then run the faucet until the water runs out. This is when you may need a few towels handy, as sometimes small amounts of water will still come out when you install your new line.
Tap the Water Supply
This next step varies depending on where you are going to tap the water supply for the ice maker.
Sink With a Valve
In the case that your sink has a shut-off valve, you can use a tee-fitting when you tap it. Make sure that the tee-fitting fits the threads on your valve and that the outlet is at least 1/4 inch in diameter.
Before continuing, disconnect the water supply line at the sink from the shut-off valve for cold water (use pliers or a wrench to loosen the connection nut on the tube).
Get those towels ready because some water will still be in the supply line. Attach the tee-fitting to the valve. Hand-tighten the valve and then finish tightening it with the pliers.
Now you’re ready to connect the water supply line at the sink to the tee-fitting and connect the ice maker line to the outlet.
Sink Without a Valve
If your sink does not have a shut-off valve, you’ll need to proceed a little differently. You’ll need to install a new valve for the ice maker line and tap the line through the piping at the sink.
Grab the tee-stop valve or self-tap saddle. If you’re using a supply line kit, it may include a self-tap saddle valve. Make sure that the inlets on the valve match the diameter of the pipes, and your outlet needs to have a 1/4-inch diameter.
Attach the self-tape saddle valve to the pipe and do not go through it until the water line is connected to the ice maker.
If you're using a tee-stop valve, you’ll have to remove a piece of the water supply pipe for your sink. Use pipe cutters to cut the piece of pipe and a metal file to deburr the outside and inside of the cut pipe ends. Now, attach the tee-stop valve to the pipe ends.
Another Water Line
If you decide to go with another water line, first determine where you will run it. For example, if you don’t have any cabinetry between your fridge and sink, you might go through the wall or floor and tap to the closest supply line. Just don’t get in the way of any other piping or wiring.
First, decide on which supply line you want to tap and where you will drill a hole for the ice maker water line. Drill a hole (1/4 inch) for your line. Then, follow the procedure above and install a tee-stop valve or a self-tap saddle valve.
Mount Your New Ice Maker Tubing
Your new icemaker kit should come with a flexible plastic tube. If not, you may choose to install your own using plastic or copper tubing—just be careful with copper, because you could kink the hose if you force it through the hole in the floor or sink base.
Fridge to Sink Connections
Connect the tube to the water source under your sink using an existing outlet or by fitting a new add-a-tee adapter (just remember to make sure the water is off and drained ). See the previous step for more details.
Run the tube through the wall or cabinet base to the fridge.
Connect the tube to the back of your fridge, making sure the tube has additional length.
Slide your fridge back into place carefully.
Basement or Crawl Space Connections
Connect the pipe to your fridge’s ice maker line.
Snake the tube through the hole in the floor.
Head into the basement or crawl space.
Wrap your saddle valve around the pipe entry point—be sure to screw both sides in tight before puncturing the pipe.
Connect the pipe to your main water source downstairs using a saddle valve.*
*Note that, due to potential leak issues, saddle valves are illegal in several places, such as Florida, North Carolina, and most of the New England states. If you live in one of these areas, look for a self-tap or tee-stop valve instead.
Turn the Water Back On
Once you’re certain the connection is secure, turn your water back on. It’ll take a few hours for the ice maker to start producing ice cubes. Check for any leaks and push the refrigerator back into place. Confirm that the ice maker is working properly.
Flush Out the New Water Line
Be sure to read your installation directions carefully, as many ice machines recommend you throw the first batch of ice away before consuming it.
Once you’re done flushing out the new line, consider running to the store to stock up on your favorite beverages (don’t forget the cocktail garnishes, like limes) that are best served over ice.
DIY Refrigerator Water Line Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
After finishing steps one through three above, you’ve earned a refreshing drink (or two!). If you have some plumbing know-how, doing the job on your own will help you save a couple of hundred dollars.
Most plumbers should have no trouble swooping in to help you get your new water line installed. However, it's important to make sure you're hiring the right plumbing company for the job. Here's a rundown of questions to ask before hiring someone to install your water line:
Is your company fully licensed and insured?
How much does it cost to have a water line installed for the fridge?
Does your quote change if this is a secondary fridge located in a basement or garage? What about rental units?
How do I prepare for this project? Do you need me to move the fridge and clean up the area before you can begin work?
Do you already have all of the materials needed for my specific fridge model?
Do you charge an hourly rate or a flat fee?
Don't forget to see if you can get this service done at a discount if you've already signed up for one of the plumbing service contracts offered by your local plumber. If you're starting from scratch with looking for a pro to install a new water line, consider collecting at least three quotes. A visit could also be a good opportunity to book an overall inspection of your plumbing system.
While there’s no standard height for your ice maker supply line, your installer should place the supply box around 34 inches from the ground. That gives you a jumping-off point to work from. Your fridge manufacturer may also provide directions on the height of your supply line, so check your manual before installation.
Each fridge is different, but generally speaking, the water in your ice maker water supply line should fall between 20 and 125 PSI. You may consider installing a water pressure regulator to make sure the pressure stays within the necessary limits. Check your fridge’s specifications in the manual to find the exact water pressure requirements.
Some common reasons for your ice maker water line freezing include freezer temperatures that are too high or too low, a bad water filter, frozen pipes, or worn-out valves. Sometimes, the issue can be a frozen water supply line or a frozen filling tube. If you've checked everything and the issues persist, you might want to call a plumber to help you out.
The amount of water your fridge’s ice maker uses depends on how often you use it. Besides the water bill, you may notice that using an ice maker can increase your fridge’s electricity consumption by $10 each year. While that may not sound like a lot, it’s actually about 30% of what your fridge uses annually. That being said, it’s much more cost-effective to use your fridge’s ice maker than buying bags of ice at the store.
Scott Dylan Westerlund has been writing about homes and real estate for almost ten years. In addition to Angi and HomeAdvisor, he's written for Today's Homeowner, Homedit.com, Flyhomes, and HomeLight.
Scott Dylan Westerlund has been writing about homes and real estate for almost ten years. In addition to Angi and HomeAdvisor, he's written for Today's Homeowner, Homedit.com, Flyhomes, and HomeLight.
The homeowners guide to Plumbing
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
