No kitchen is complete without a refrigerator. Refrigerators have been a staple of the modern kitchen since the turn of the twentieth century. Due to the common use and need for refrigerators, refrigerators have seen many upgrades. One upgrade the most refrigerators have is the ability to expense water or ice from the door. Although not necessarily a new invention, many houses are not designed for this type of refrigerator. Due to this, you’ll need to install a waterline. In this article, we will discuss how to install a waterline to allow a refrigerator to disburse water or ice. Please note, this article is part one of a two-part series.

Plan The Route

All kitchens already have some plumbing installed to allow for water to and from the sink. This will be the main source of water that your refrigerator will need to access. Depending on the design of your kitchen, you might be able to have direct access to the existing plumbing. Direct access allows for an easy-to-install waterline. Alternatively, you might have to install a line from the refrigerator to the existing plumbing.

If there is a preexisting waterline easily available for the refrigerator, all you will have to do is connect the refrigerator to that existing line. At that point, the job is done, and all you have to worry about is the filtration system and proper maintenance of the refrigerator.

If there is no existing line, then you will need to plan a route to create a line from where the refrigerator will be located to where the plumbing is located. Ideally, the route should be planned to go through walls, behind or above existing cabinets, or underneath the floor. This will prevent the waterline from being seen and ruining the aesthetic value of the kitchen and also prevent it from being dislodged and damaged.

Depending on the route, there will be added costs.

Once The Route Has Been Decided On

Once the route has been decided on, then you will need to buy the tubing. It is recommended to buy anywhere between six to eight feet of extra tubing to give the refrigerator flexibility to move if need be. In addition to buying the tubing, it will be important to decide what type of tubing to purchase. The most common types of tubing for waterlines are copper, steel, or plastic.

Shut Off The Water

Before you make any changes to any plumbing, it is always recommended to shut off the water. Failure to do so will cause a huge mess that, if not cleaned up right away, may damage your home and can lead to mold or mildew buildup.

Depending on where you plan on connected the refrigerator water line to, there should be a shutoff valve at the waterline source. For example, if you are connecting to the kitchen sink, then there should be a water valve underneath the sink. If you cannot find the shutoff valve to the existing source, then shut off the main water valve to the whole house. Once you shut off the water, turn on the kitchen sink to flush out any remaining water in the pipes.

Part Two Will Explain The Remaining Process

Please continue to part two to read the remaining process on how to install a refrigerator waterline.