Water Line To Fridge

[KL2017]

A contractor recently installed a 1/4" rigid flexible line (polyethylene?) to our fridge - starting with a saddle valve on the water supply line. He left the fridge end disconnected because we didn't have it in place yet. A friend recently attached it to the fridge using the included hardware which was a compression nut with a built in ferrule (brass?) and the brass stabilizing insert for the line. However it was weeping slightly where the line enters the nut - so he removed the stabilizing insert in the line and retightened and it stopped. However was that a mistake and is that insert needed? It is a plastic line but it is rigid. I moved the line, tugged it, and it is stable and leak free.....but not sure if it's an issue for the future minus that insert in the line. I'd prefer not to redo it but also don't want an incident so look forward to thoughts on the topic.

 

[FullySprinklered]

Typically you would use a plastic ferrule on plastic pipe, and brass on copper pipe. Brass on plastic can work.I get more leaks on icemaker lines than anything else. Skill and experience are less important than luck it seems.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[CountryBumkin]

Use plastic ferrules on plastic tubing with the insert. The brass ferrule will cut and break the plastic line; the insert is needed to keep the plastic tubing from collapsing.

Plastic ferrules are also referred to as Delrin compression sleeves. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sioux-Ch...Sleeve-with-Brass-Insert-907-050202/100638201

 

[Dj2]

I much rather use the following instead of the saddle valve and plastic line:

1. 1/4" copper line.
2. A Tee with a 1/2"x 1/4" angle stop.