How to replace ice maker water line on lg refrigerator

Kawika has been in the DIY business for over 20 years and has worked for schools, businesses, and homeowners.

Learn how to hook up an LG refrigerator's water.

Parker Knight CC BY 2.0

How to Connect a Water Line to a Refrigerator

Replacing an existing refrigerator that already has a water line hooked up makes your job a whole lot easier. But when you don't have a supply line or pipe nearby for your ice maker and water dispenser, it turns into a more detailed, lengthy, and challenging process.

In this case we'll be working on the LG refrigerator. Other brands may be similar, but you should double-check the line hook-ups in the rear of your fridge.

Job Overview

1. Locate a water source to tap into
2. Determine the plumbing pipe connections
3. Locate the nearest water line is
4. Connect your LG fridge to water supply
5. Enjoy the fruits of your labor

1. Locate Your Water Source

First things first, all projects start with a plan, and whether on paper or in your head, a plan is always needed to save you from wasting time and money.

1. Before you can run a supply line to your refrigerator, you'll need to locate the two closest water supplies. It may be a pipe that runs below the floor or a kitchen sink that sits 10 feet away, separated by counter space.
2. Next, draw out on a piece of paper what your path will be for each line, including all the necessary fittings and valves you'll need for the run. This will make it easier to see what parts you'll need to buy in order to save yourself from driving back and forth to the hardware store.
3. Choose one of these routes to use. Choose the one that you will be more comfortable handling. This may or may not be the one that's closest.

kawikachann

I chose to tap into the sink's line, since it was the closest and most direct.

kawikachann

2. Determine the Type of Plumbing Connections You'll Need

Next, decide what type of tools you will need to get the job done. It depends on the type of connections that you will be using.

• If you will be soldering your joints to copper pipe, you'll need a lot more material. If soldering, you will be soldering copper pipe straight up to the fridge eliminating a large chance of leakage that most other types of connections bow to eventually.
• If you are not soldering your joints, you will be using compression fittings, or the push-on fittings that connect directly to the copper supply piping. With push-on fittings, you will copy the route of soldering, and bring your copper pipe right up to the fridge. Compression fittings will utilize a saddle valve off of a copper pipe source (make sure it is the cold water source) and bring water to the fridge with a flex line. This flex line can be copper, or plastic like the ones that come in a refrigerator water installation kit—these can be picked up at the hardware store, and they should have everything you need including the saddle valve.

In order to know what tools you'll need for the job, you'll need to know which kind of plumbing you have.

3. Connect to Your Nearest Water Line

In most cases, your nearest line will be under your kitchen sink, or another pipe source nearby, usually under the floor in a basement.

1. Whether you will be using a saddle valve for flex line or soldering, this would be a great time to make sure that the water supply is turned off.
2. You can also drain any excess water in the line by turning on any faucet below this point in the water line to ensure that all the water is out of the pipe before you cut or pierce the water line—use the bucket to catch any water.
3. If soldering your line, cut the existing pipe and ensure that you have enough flex to slip in a tee so that you can branch off your line to the fridge. For flex lines, install your saddle valve and drill through cabinets or joists to run your line to your fridge. You will run your line through a hole in the floor directly behind your fridge. Be sure to watch that there are no other pipes or electrical lines before you drill.
4. Feed your line up onto the kitchen floor. If you are soldering, install a 1/2 x 1/4 inch valve so that you connect your line directly to the fridge. If running a flex line, you may consider installing a 1/4 x 1/4 inch valve if getting to the saddle valve is a hassle. You are almost done!

4. Connect Your LG Fridge to the Water Supply

1. If you have a shut-off valve installed behind the fridge, test and check for water leaks at this time. Inspect all joints and valves for any leaks. Make necessary adjustments to valves and joints and ensure that there are no leaks.
2. Leave about a six to eight feet of line coiled in back of the fridge so that you'll have an easier time whenever cleaning behind the fridge.
3. Our final step will be to purge the pipes. Using any line that will be hooked directly to your fridge, run about two gallons into your bucket to ensure that any debris left in the pipe is now out of the pipe. When this is done, ensure that your fridge is not plugged in, and make the last hook up to your fridge, and once again, check for leaks.

5. Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor

Plug in your refrigerator and check your manufacturer's manual for flushing your dispenser's filters once you have completed the hookup.

Once this is done, fill a glass, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. There is nothing more refreshing than water, and when it's readily available, cold, and filtered, it only makes it convenient for you to keep your body well hydrated.

Water Line Installation Video

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Question: Which water line should an LG refrigerator be hooked up to - hot or cold?

Answer: Cold - always.

Kerry on November 29, 2017:

Can we use the new fridge if the water isn’t plumbed in

pmcha on August 26, 2017:

I currently have a copper line coming thru my kitchen floor behind the refrigerator, and a shut off valve for the line in my basement. I want to connect this line to the plastic tubing on the back of my refrigerator so I can activate my icemaker. Do you have instructions for this? I've never done this before, but I'm sure I can do it with some clear instruction. Thank you