Refridgerator water line?

Question

I just got a new refrigerator that has a built in ice maker. I know that usually they have ice maker kits that run a tube from the sink through the cabinets and to the fridge. The problem is that my new kitchen is a galley style and the sink and refrigerator are on opposite sides so it would have to go across the floor (I sense late night tripping). However my washer is on the other side of the wall behind my refrigerator. Could I tap the water line going to my washer? How would I do that, what supplies would I need?

Answer 1

Sure, it's all clean, potable water, why not? As far as supplies go , you will need a tap to install on your COLD water line & the tools to install it. Ask at a hardware store and I'm sure they will be only too happy to assist you and tell you exactly how to go about doing this new installation.

Answer 2

if you have a crawl space or unfinished basement, you can run line up thru floor to back of fridge

Answer 3

The copper tube that feeds the icemaker does not have to go to a sink. It simply has to go to the nearest cold water supply pipe, which is often located under the floor. Any cold water supply line will do, including to your washer. Just be sure that the line isn't in a location where it will be damaged or where it could freeze. I know first hand what happens when the pesky little tube freezes. Actually, the problem wasn't freezing--it's what happened when the frozen pipe thawed!

Answer 4

Yes - Even if it's hot water it will be OK

Answer 5

If you're not sure of what you're doing, hire a plumber. Either that or ask a friend that knows what they're doing to help you. The damage that can be created by slowly-dripping plumbing can be a nightmare compared to the sweetness of the money you save by doing it yourself. Rotting wood sub-flooring that can weaken the flooor of your kitchen itself, mold that can make you and your family deathly ill, etc.

With that noted, most kits you can buy at the local home improvement store use a self-piercing saddle valve. Some ice makers will not operate properly with the restricted amount of water that is supplied by the small hole that the self-piercing type makes in the feed line. It would be better to cut and solder in a t-connector to correctly create a feed for your ice-maker, especially if your fridge also has a water dispenser.

To fully answer your question, the washer and the sink both use the same water supply so it would be perfectly fine to take your ice-maker feed from the same line as your washer.