How to Connect a Water Line to a Kenmore Elite Refrigerator

There is nothing like a glass of ice-cold water – especially if you didn’t have to go through the trouble of filling the ice cube trays to make it. When you have installed your water line in your Kenmore Elite fridge, your appliance will take care of that for you. Installation is a surprisingly easy DIY job if you live in a state where saddle valves are permitted – they are restricted in some states because they can be prone to leaks.

Check Water Pressure

1. The water pressure in your home must be between 20-to-120 psi on models without a filter and between 40-to-120 psi on models with a filter. To make sure it’s not lower than that, time how long it takes to fill a 7-oz cup. If it takes more than four seconds, the pressure is too low.

Shut Off Main Water Supply

2. Turn on a nearby faucet to ease pressure on the water line. Unplug the fridge.

Choose a Location for the Valve

3. Find a location for the valve on your cold-water pipe that you can easily access in order to check for leaks. If you can, find a spot on a vertical water pipe to avoid any mess. If you have to drill into a horizontal pipe, make the connection on the top or the side of the pipe.

Drill a Hole in the Pipe

4. On the spot you chose, drill a ¼-inch hole in the pipe using a sharp drill bit. Be careful not to let water drain into the drill.

Attach the Valve to the Pipe

5. Using the pipe clamp on the saddle valve, fasten the valve to the pipe. Tighten the clamp until the sealing washer swells.

Route the Tubing

6. Bring the copper tubing between the fridge and the cold-water pipe. You may want to snake the tubing through a wall using a drill. Make sure that you’re using enough tubing so that the fridge can be moved away from the wall after installation.

Connect the Tubing to the Water Pipe

7. Using a compression nut and ferrule, connect the tubing to the valve, making sure that the tubing is fully inserted. TIghten the compression nut snugly.

Flush Out the Tubing

8. Turn on the water supply and let the water run through the copper tubing until the water runs clear. Shut off the valve.

Connect the Tubing to the Fridge

9. Remove the plastic cap on the fridge’s water valve. Connect the remaining compression nut and ferrule to the other end of the tubing. Push the tubing deeply into the connection and tighten the compression nut until there is a secure fit.

Start the Icemaker

10. Plug the fridge back in and push it back against the wall. Make sure the tubing is not vibrating against the fridge or the wall. Turn the icemaker on using the control panel. It will begin making ice when it reaches a temperature of 15-degrees Fahrenheit. Check the valve regularly for any sign of leaks.