DIY water line or bring in a pro?
Question:We are going to close on a house in 13 days (our first home), and last weekend we purchased a fridge. The fridge that is in the home now (not staying) is a traditional fridge with a top freezer. Simple, traditional, blah.
The one we purchased is a side-by-side with a water filter in the door. Fancy!
The question is this: now that we have to install a waterline to the fridge, ss this something we can do/ask the talented father-in-law to do, or should we just grit our teeth and hire a pro?
Obviously hiring a professional would be easiest, but if installing it ourselves is a possibility and will save us money, it's well worth it.
Answers:
THIS IS REALLY EASY!
If you have a basement, you buy an icemaker/water line hookup kit (they are about $10-15). They come with a saddle valve, which is a valve that straddles a 1/2" - 3/4" copper or galvanized steel water line. After it is clamped onto the line, it tightens down and pierces the supply line.
There is a water line(copper, plastic, or braided pvc) that attaches to the saddle valve. run this valve through the floor (you'll have to drill a small hole in floor behind the fridge) and attach it to the fridge.
To let water flow through the valve, you simple unscrew the piercing mechanism a little.
OR
If you have a concrete slab, then get a new shut off valve for the cold supply under the sink that has 2 outlets. 1 for the sink and 1 to route to the fridge.
You may have to drill some small holes in the cabinetry to get the supply to the fridge. Keep them in the back and close to the top if you can. This keeps them out of the way and unnoticable.
Good luck
to do it yourself will save you about 300$. if the father inlaw knows how let him do it
No problem. The best way to go is a replacement valve for the cutoff under the sink. Make sure it has an outlet for the sink supply line, and a smaller one for the new line to connect to the refrigerator. Then you need a supply line. I try to use the ones with the fittings already on both ends, kind of like a long sink hose. They last, and do not crimp like copper. Now some teflon tape for the threads, and make sure you see if you have a male or female shutoff under the sink. Couple of adjustable wrenches and skinned knuckles and you are done.
DIY. it is really easy. the kit you buy comes with the instructions. you will want to shoot a contractor when you hear there price after seeing how easy it was.
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