How to Install a Water Line for Your Refrigerator

Tackle this project yourself and enjoy ice-cold beverages on demand

mother holding baby in kitchen
Photo: Thomas Barwick / DigitalVision / Getty Images
mother holding baby in kitchen
Photo: Thomas Barwick / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Mizuki Hisaka
Written by Mizuki Hisaka
Contributing Writer
Updated January 3, 2024

Difficulty

Intermediate

Perfect for handy homeowners.

Time to complete

2 hours

Cost

$25

Just a short shopping trip (or online order).

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.

What you'll need:

TOOLS
  • Power drill
  • Drill bits
  • Pipe cutters (optional)
  • Metal file (optional)
  • Flashlight
  • Towels
SUPPLIES
  • 1/4-by-1/4-inch supply line
  • Valve adapters

Many new refrigerators come with the cool benefit of making fresh ice whenever you need it. But suppose you own an older fridge that doesn’t have an ice maker. In that case, you’re probably wondering how to get an ice maker water line installation done.

On the other hand, maybe your ice maker is on the fritz and you just found out that—between parts, labor, and manufacturer markups—the cost to replace an ice maker could be $400 to $500. Whatever the case, learning how to connect a water line to the fridge is a doable DIY project for handy homeowners. Learn how to connect a water line to your fridge in this step-by-step guide.

  1. Plan Your New Water Line

    Man exposing back of a fridge
    Photo: Antonio_Diaz / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

    As the saying goes for many DIY home improvement projects, you’ll want to measure twice and cut once when installing a new ice maker and refrigerator water supply line. If you do, this job should be relatively straightforward. (Or, you may find that you don’t need to cut anything at all.)

    To plan your new water line for an ice maker:

    • Move your fridge out (carefully, to avoid scuffing the floor)

    • Look for existing water lines behind your fridge or under the sink 

    • Check under your sink for additional hookups

    • Look in your basement or crawl space for pipes or obstacles underneath the floor 

    The main question you—or a local ice machine repair specialist—need to answer is: will your new water line be connected to the sink or to pipes in your basement or crawl space? It all depends on the layout of your kitchen.

    If you discover your new fridge and existing sink both have hookups already, your task is pretty simple: connect a 1/4-by-1/4-inch flex supply tube (or whatever the ice maker kit came with) to both ends, and you’re done!

  2. Drill Holes (If Necessary)

    If there aren’t any existing water lines or open connections, you’ll need to drill a hole behind or under the refrigerator or below the sink (or both). 

    For sink to fridge connections, drill a hole in the base of the cabinet or the cabinet wall to run a line from your sink to your fridge. 

    For basement or crawl space connections, drill a hole under the base of your fridge or into the wall behind it. Make sure you drill in a spot that will be easy to connect to the main water line. 

    A friendly word—proceed carefully with this second option. Make sure you don’t hit any pipes below your fridge with the drill. Have a friend or family member in the basement to help you map out the best drill spot.

  3. Shut Off and Drain Your Water Line

    Before connecting any pipes, shut the water off. The water main valve is usually located in the basement.

    If you’re using an existing sink connection, drain the water lines to the sink first to prevent an impromptu kitchen shower. To do this, turn off your main water supply and then run the faucet until the water runs out. This is when you may need a few towels handy, as sometimes small amounts of water will still come out when you install your new line.

  4. Tap the Water Supply

    This next step varies depending on where you are going to tap the water supply for the ice maker. 

    Sink With a Valve

    In the case that your sink has a shut-off valve, you can use a tee-fitting when you tap it. Make sure that the tee-fitting fits the threads on your valve and that the outlet is at least 1/4 inch in diameter. 

    Before continuing, disconnect the water supply line at the sink from the shut-off valve for cold water (use pliers or a wrench to loosen the connection nut on the tube). 

    Get those towels ready because some water will still be in the supply line. Attach the tee-fitting to the valve. Hand tighten the valve and then finish tightening it with the pliers. 

    Now you’re ready to connect the water supply line at the sink to the tee-fitting and connect the ice maker line to the outlet. 

    Sink Without a Valve

    In the case that your sink does not have a shut-off valve, then you’ll proceed a little differently. You’ll need to install a new valve for the ice maker line and tap the line through the piping at the sink. 

    Grab the tee-stop valve or self-tap saddle. If you’re using a supply line kit, it may include a self-tap saddle valve. Make sure that the inlets on the valve match the diameter of the pipes, and your outlet needs to have a 1/4-inch diameter. 

    Attach the self-tape saddle valve to the pipe and avoid going through the pipe until the water line is connected to the ice maker. 

    If using a tee-stop valve, you’ll have to take out a piece of the water supply pipe for your sink. Use pipe cutters to cut the piece of pipe and a metal file to deburr the outside and inside of the cut pipe ends. Now attach the tee-stop valve to the pipe ends.

    Another Water Line 

    If you decide to go with another water line, then first determine where you will run the water line. For example, if you don’t have any cabinetry between your fridge and sink, then you might go through the wall or floor and tap to the closest supply line. Just don’t get in the way of any other piping or wiring. 

    First, decide on which supply line you want to tap and where you will drill a hole for the ice maker water line. Drill a hole (1/4 inch) for your line. Then, follow the procedure above and install a tee-stop valve or a self-tap saddle valve.

  5. Mount Your New Ice Maker Tubing

    Your new icemaker kit should come with a flexible plastic tube. If not, you may choose to install your own using plastic or copper tubing—just be careful with copper, because you could kink the hose if you force it through the hole in the floor or sink base.

    Fridge to Sink Connections

    • Connect the tube to the water source under your sink using an existing outlet or by fitting a new add-a-tee adapter (just remember to make sure the water is off and drained ). See the previous step for more details.

    • Run the tube through the wall or cabinet base to the fridge.

    • Connect the tube to the back of your fridge, making sure the tube has additional length.

    • Slide your fridge back into place carefully.

    Basement or Crawl Space Connections

    • Connect the pipe to your fridge’s ice maker line.

    • Snake the tube through the hole in the floor.

    • Head into the basement or crawl space.

    • Wrap your saddle valve around the pipe entry point—be sure to screw both sides in tight before puncturing the pipe.

    • Connect the pipe to your main water source downstairs using a saddle valve.*

    *Note that, due to potential leak issues, saddle valves are illegal in several places, such as Florida, North Carolina, and most of the New England states. If you live in one of these areas, look for a self-tap or tee-stop valve instead.

  6. Turn the Water Back On

    Once you’re certain the connection is secure, turn your water back on. It’ll take a few hours for the ice maker to start producing ice cubes. Check for any leaks and push the refrigerator back into place. Confirm that the ice maker is working properly.

  7. Flush Out the New Water Line

    Be sure to read your installation directions carefully, as many ice machines recommend you throw the first batch of ice away before consuming it.

    Once you’re done flushing out the new line, consider running to the store to stock up on your favorite beverages (don’t forget the cocktail garnishes, like limes) that are best served over ice.

DIY Refrigerator Water Line Installation vs. Hiring a Pro 

After finishing steps one through three above, you’ve earned a refreshing drink (or two!). If you have some plumbing know-how, doing the job on your own will help you save a couple of hundred dollars.

But if you decide that learning how to install an ice maker water line isn’t in your wheelhouse, don’t stress. The cost for a plumber to install a water line for an ice maker is usually under $200. Hiring a plumber near you will help you ensure that the job gets done right.

Frequently Asked Questions

While there’s no standard height for your ice maker supply line, your installer should place the supply box around 34 inches from the ground. That gives you a jumping-off point to work from. Your fridge manufacturer may also provide directions on the height of your supply line, so check your manual before installation.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
Learn more about our contributor
Mizuki Hisaka
Written by Mizuki Hisaka
Contributing Writer
Mizuki Hisaka is a freelance writer with 6+ years of experience. She's written for various companies, websites, and publications, including The Knot, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, The Inquisitr, and more.
Mizuki Hisaka is a freelance writer with 6+ years of experience. She's written for various companies, websites, and publications, including The Knot, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, The Inquisitr, and more.
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