Refrige ice/water line.

[Doomcloud1985]

Hello everyone; this seems like the place to go, so here it goes.

I'm trying to extend the water line to my fridge due to it being in a different location. I purchased an Eastman saddle tapping valve (not gonna be used; using a safer 1/4 turn valve) that came with many fittings and 25' of tubing. The parts are 2x 1/4" brass fittings, saddle valve, 3x plastic ferrules, 1 compression union (not gonna be used due to the fact that my fridge's hookup is a 1/4 male fitting) and 3x brass nuts.

I configure the line as the instructions say; but the water line pops out due to pressure. I can easily pull the line out of the fitting.

The line coming out of the wall (original waterline) is flared, thusly forming a bond to the fitting. The tubing that was purchased; does not have that.

What should I do?

Thanks a ton!

-Doom

 

[havasu]

What tubing did you get? If copper, the ferrule should be used and squeezed into the fitting. If you have plastic tubing, you will need the ferrule and the small brass fitting, which slides into the opening of the tubing, so that the ferrule can tighten against the fitting.

 

[Doomcloud1985]

I have plastic tubing. So; logistically speaking, the nut goes on first, followed by the ferrule, then lastly the brass fitting?

Thanks for the help btw. I know plumbing well enough; I've just never done up a fridge.

 

[phishfood]

Icemaker tubing is often very soft, and requires an inner stiffener so that the compression ferrule can grab the tubing when you tighten down the nut, as Havasu mentioned.

So, nut, then ferrule, both on the outside of the tube. Then, stiffener insert inside the end of the tube. Then, the threaded brass fitting.

 

[Doomcloud1985]

I feel like a fool. I figured it out.

Next time I say anything foolish; slap me. =]

 

[phishfood]

Careful, I am only 50 or so miles away.

 

[havasu]

Don't worry, I've also forgotten that dumb little doohicky more than once!