Kitchen Plumbing 101: Connecting a New Refrigerator

So you’ve just accepted delivery of your new refrigerator. Congratulations! Now is the time to install it in a nice place in your kitchen, and to make sure the kitchen plumbing is connected properly. Installation doesn’t have to be a hassle. Just follow these simple steps, and your refrigerator will be up and running in no time.

Connect the Water Dispenser

To connect the water dispenser, first shut off the water to your house. Next, drain the line by running the tap at your kitchen sink.

Once the line is drained, locate the cold water supply pipe, either under the sink, or located in the basement. After finding it, you will need to tap into it with the valve provided in your kit.

Pierce the pipe with the saddle valve, and clamp it tight using the nuts and bolts provided. Once the valve is in place, run the tubing provided in your kit from the water pipe to the refrigerator. If the pipe was located in the basement, you will need to drill a hole in the floor behind the fridge.

Connect the tubing to the water valve from the fridge, usually found in the bottom left corner. Once these two are connected, you can turn your water back on.

Connect the Ice Maker

As soon as the water is turned back on, both your water dispenser and ice maker should be ready to run. Quickly check your work, to make sure there are no leaks at your connection sites.

Depending on the water pressure in your city, the saddle valve can have a short life span than other stop valves, and plumbers in Fairhope, AL won’t use them.

The material of the valve is prone to rust and can weaken over time. This can lead to leaks, and cause a lot of problems down the line.

If you have no other option than using the saddle valve, be sure to check on in from time to time, and be prepared to replace it sooner than later.

Opt for Professional Installation

When it comes to kitchen plumbing, not everyone is a do-it-yourself master, no matter how many home-shows you might watch.

Opting for professional installation might be the smarter option, especially if you’re short on time. Plumbers know a thing or two about this sort of thing, and will most likely get the job done more efficiently.

Whichever method you choose, installing a new refrigerator is an exciting experience. Just make sure you have crossed all your “T’s” and dotted all your “I’s” to ensure your new appliance up and running properly.