tapping into ice maker water line for water cooler

[utgrad76]

I am needing to tap into the same source water valve used to supply my ice maker (see picture of current 1/4" hose connection) in order to connect/supply a 1/4" O.D. flexible plastic tubine line to a water cooler. I am not sure what all parts I'll need or how to most efficiently make the connections. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Gary Swart]

You can just replace that valve with a 2 port valve. I would suggest using copper tubing because it is more reliable than plastic. When you get to the back of the fridge, make a fairly large loop so the fridge can be pulled out and pushed back in.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[utgrad76]

I was trying to avoid replacing the existing valve because I do not have access to turn off the water to my apartment. Is there any work-around here? Thanks.

 

[Herk]

It appears that the valve is a glued-in CPVC design, so it would be difficult to replace.

The easiest fix for this is the add-a-tee which is available in a lot of places - you can google it:

Turn off the valve, disconnect the tube, put in the tee, reconnect the tube, add the new tube. The same valve will control both units.

 

[Gary Swart]

No shut off for a home is scary to me. Not so much for your immediate problem, Herk's suggestion of the add-on tee will easily take care of that, but there are times, usually at night and often on a week-end or holiday, and sometimes all of the above, when you can have a broken pipe and need to turn the water off.