Most modern homes come with a refrigerator water supply line already installed, so that you can hook up your new refrigerator’s built-in automatic icemaker to your water source right away.

But some of Dallas’s older homes and condos may not have a water supply line in place. We’ve got good news and bad news.

Let’s start with the good! Installing an ice maker is a relatively easy DIY task, thanks to installation kits that you can find at most hardware or plumbing specialty stores. These kits come with the parts needed to hook up your new ice-making unit to the plumbing under your sink.

Essentially, these kits work by threading a tube from the rear of your refrigerator to the cold water supply line – generally the line connected to the right side of your faucet – under your sink by way of an adaptor or a supply valve. For a more thorough guide, we recommend checking out this great step-by-step list from SFGate. 

Unfortunately, successfully installing the ice maker’s supply line comes with a set of bad news, particularly if your DIY kit came with a saddle valve. In some states, saddle valves aren’t up to code; even where they are still in use, they can rust and leak fairly easily.

To ensure that your new icemaker’s supply line is as leak-proof as possible, use a tee valve instead of a saddle valve. While a saddle valve requires soldering to keep it secure against your system’s copper fittings, a tee valve is solderless, making it an easier fit for your DIY project.

And rather than tapping your line, a tee valve seamlessly connects .5-inch copper, PEX, CPVC, or polybutylene to a .25-inch line to the ice maker. For more recommendations on why you should avoid the saddle valve, watch this helpful video from This Old House.

Looking for more DIY projects for your kitchen or bathroom? Have a problem too big to solve on your own? For all of your plumbing , water leak, sewer and gas line needs, give Combat Plumbing a call! We’re here and ready to help, day or night, with whatever your system throws at you.