The Way to Replace the Refrigerator Ice Maker Copper Supply Line
Refrigerator ice makers have been connected to the main water supply pipe that leads to the kitchen. The aluminum supply line create pin-size holes that leak and or aluminum tube can corrode over time. Replacing the copper supply line ensures that your kitchen wall and floor don’t become water damaged.
Unplug the fridge. Switch off the water supply to the ice maker at the water pipe shutoff valve. Copper supply lines, normally referred to as aluminum tube, are connected to pipes using a saddle-type shutoff valve or a compression . Switch off the water supply to the aluminum tube in the shutoff valve.
Place a bucket under the aluminum tubing shutoff valve to catch the excess water that may be in the pipe. Unscrew the shutoff valve In case your shutoff valve is leaking and pull it off the water supply pipe. Remove tubing from the rear of the fridge by unscrewing the nut on the tube using a wrench.
Figure out the amount of aluminum tubing required by measuring to the water pipe in which the old copper tubing was attached on the rear of the fridge out of the aluminum supply line connection place. Insert 7 feet to this length to find the total length necessary for the aluminum tubing. This provides you to move the fridge out from the wall.
Route the aluminum tubing through the entrance hole through which the copper water tube was routed over to the fridge from the water supply. Pull up enough slack in the aluminum tubing to allow the fridge. Slide the compression sleeve and compression nut in the aluminum supply line replacement kit onto the end of the new copper tubing.
Place the new shutoff valve onto the cold-water pipe, over the preexisting hole in the pipe if you are replacing a valve. Hand-tighten the valve.
Insert the copper tubing end and nut into the outlet of the shutoff valve. Push it as far as it goes, then twist on the compression nut until it is hand-tight. Tighten the nut using a adjustable wrench.
Twist the other compression nut and sleeve onto the end of the aluminum tubing. Insert the copper tubing into the fitting on the rear of the fridge and push it as far as it goes. Screw the compression nut onto the fitting and tighten it.
Turn on the water supply and run water through the copper. Press and hold the water dispenser lever on the fridge for five seconds, then release it. Keep holding and pressing the lever to get five seconds periods, then releasing the lever until water flows through it. Place a skillet or large pitcher beneath the dispenser and flush a total of 3 gallons of water through the fridge to eliminate any debris from the aluminum tube.