Ice maker water line

[mjoekingz28]

Im not much into home repairs, but the water line from the gas water heater to the bottom of the fridge has given me problems. First, a few years ago it came loose at the fitting at the water heater.....tightened the clamp and all was well. This time, it sprang a pinhole leak from, my guess, being under constant pressure.

Both times i was quite lucky and in close vicinity and got it shut off before things got bad.

Now, like i as a few years ago, and thinking just use ice trays to avoid the potential damage, but i like the ice maker....to my question...


Is there a quality water line that is both, uh, healthy, non-toxic, clean.....and strong, durable, safe to use.

As of now, it has brass fittings on each end and is clear plastic tubing.

Thanks

 

[bullwinkle]

Copper line. Actually that's what ice makers used in the old days.

 

[toneydoc]

The most common cause of water problem leaks in the US house is caused by the ice maker water lines. They frequently drip and cause problems.

As mentioned, copper can help. It just is more rigid and maybe harder to work with.

Be patient and check for leaks.

 

[chefwong]

Are both leaks on the LINE feeding the ice maker.

Hard to read, but it sounds like you're leaking off the feed itself.

Is it one of those Tap Valves.

If so, cut it, replace it with the 1/2 T.
Solder on a proper 5/8 OD - 1/4 Shutoff and call it a day

 

[Schmoe]

If you got compression fittings, they need to be checked from time to time.

 

[bradepb]

Several years ago we got a new fridge and I refused to hook up the ice/water line. It would be a 20 foot run down to the basement. To this day I get comments from my wife but too bad. Problems just waiting to happen when your not home.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I just had to plumb all my mother's undersink quick connects. You move 'em a bit after 10 years they start weeping. The fridge used an odd size (5/16?)and I had to adapt to a common a 3/8" with a reducer.

 

[Food Scientist]

Pex tubing maybe? Easy to work with and not terribly expensive.

 

[zzyzzx]

I just use trays. Water lines for ice makers, as well as the ice makers are constant maintenance items. That and last time I did a water line for a refrigerator, it was at a friend's house and I used regular CPVC piping, a regular CPVC valve, then to a brass fitting for the stainless steel braided line from the fitting to the refrigerator. No pinch valve!!!! Those things are a problem waiting to happen. At least if this water line goes bad I have a good ball valve to shut off the line.

 

[Vikas]

I am not getting it. Why would ice maker line be connected to your hot water heater? Which Einstein decided to feed hot water to the ice maker?

 

[KD0AXS]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
I am not getting it. Why would ice maker line be connected to your hot water heater? Which Einstein decided to feed hot water to the ice maker?


I'm guessing it's tapped into the cold water line that goes into the water heater.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Originally Posted By: Vikas
I am not getting it. Why would ice maker line be connected to your hot water heater? Which Einstein decided to feed hot water to the ice maker?


I'm guessing it's tapped into the cold water line that goes into the water heater.


And it's probably one of those lousy saddle valves. The right way to do it is solder a valve in.

Is this what is leaking?

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Originally Posted By: Vikas
I am not getting it. Why would ice maker line be connected to your hot water heater? Which Einstein decided to feed hot water to the ice maker?


I'm guessing it's tapped into the cold water line that goes into the water heater.
+1

 

[JTK]

Like dishdude suggested. Sounds like the OP is referring to a saddle valve.

I'm all too familiar with the potential issues there. Mine was leaking, I went to isolate the main water shut-off in my basement and that valve broke, dribbling a constant water stream. Long story short.. My water company wound-up having to excavate a hole in my driveway to install a new street shut-off, so the main in the house could be replaced.

 

[chefwong]

OP probably has a tap in the incoming cold line
If you read the 1st sentence in OP, he tighted the saddle...
2nd leak I suppose the tap corroded....

Regardless, taps suck

 

[zzyzzx]

If I were made dictator, I would outlaw those taps!

I do believe that they are not code in some places.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Cool. That is the tap. First time the tubing came apart from the tap....2nd leak, the tubing sprang a pinhole just a short run from the tap. It IS on the water line that has a typical faucet like turn valve. I turned it off and my sink had no hot water. From the first leak, i was very green and ran out to the street with a wrench and shut down the whole house!


I just got some copper tubing from a family member and will try to figure out how to loosen the old clear tubing off and tighten the copper tubing on.