Connect the Ice Maker to Your Home With a Sealed Fittings
Connecting an icemaker to water is not a difficult task for a plumbing, but if done incorrectly, it can leak and lead to problems in the future.
Saddle valves are included with most do-it-yourself ice maker kits, but they are not designed to last. The fitting can rust and loosen and the gasket will eventually fail. In many states, these valves don’t even give plumbers the installation code.
The best alternative is to solder copper fittings, but this is too difficult for most homeowners. Instead, use a solderless tee valve that quickly connects 1/2 “ copper, PEX, CPVC, polybutylene to a 1/4 “ line to the ice maker. Choose braided stainless steel or copper tubing for your ice maker instead of the plastic tubing provided in the kits.
Watch the video above to learn more from an experienced plumber.
How to connect an ice maker | This Old House (YouTube)