Questions about water line to ice maker....

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Wade Lippman

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I am getting a new refrigerator and want to replace the copper line. I know some people love copper, but I see envision it kinking every time I pull the fridge out.
The existing line runs from a valve in the basement, up in a loop, down under a joist, and then up through the floor; as shown in the attached photo.

1) Is there any reason the valve points up? Seems to me it would avoid the loop if it pointed down; but maybe there is a good reason. If it should point down, can I just loosen what appears to be a compression fitting and turn it 180*?

2) The joist is manufactured, and has an appropriately placed perforated hole for electrical cables. Can the water line to the ice maker go through a hole also or is that improper?

3) I see PEX, braided steel with PVC, and braided steel with PEX. Any huge differences between the three?

4) How is the line attached? I can see attaching it to the valve and the refrigerator and pushing the refrigerator in; or attaching it to the refrigerator, pushing it in, and then attaching it to the valve? The first method will make pulling the fridge out a lot easier, but the second method will be 4' shorter. In the first method, do you let the excess hang in the basement or have it looped up behind the fridge?

Thanks much.

water.jpg
 

Sylvan

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Reason for it to loop up is to allow for a longer radius and more slack if needed. nice job the installer did
 

hj

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The installer was used to always installing the valves facing up, regardless of whether there was a better orientation. I would have rotated it sideways and leave a coil of copper behind the refrigerator so it can "spring" out when you move the reefer.
 
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