can you cap the water line to the fridge without shutting off the water?
Monday, July 5th, 2010 at
2:49 pm
I’m completing the sale of my home tomorrow and of course need to take my fridge. it’s connected to the water line which we soldered in. so it’s not a saddle valve. Is there a small cap I can buy for that line so I can shut it off without having to turn off the water to the entire house?
Tagged with: fridge • google • home tomorrow • saddle valve • script type • small cap • text javascript • water line
Filed under: Water Filter System
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
If there is no shutoff for the line to the fridge, you’re going to have to either turn off the main or deal with a pretty good spill. I’m assuming that the line is copper all the way to the fridge because you mentioned it was soldered. If you’re going to do it with the water on, have everything all set up to do it fast.
It would be difficult but not impossible to just cap it with the water on using a compression fitting cap but an easier way would be to have a 5 gallon pail handy and pop the line off at the back of the fridge, point it at the pail and quickly install an in-line compression type shutoff valve set to the open position. after its tightened down, simply close the valve and the water will stop flowing into the bucket.
If you install a cap or the shutoff valve in the closed position you would have to deal with the water pressure throwing it off and it would be difficult to get on correctly.
Most hardware stores or big box home improvement stores will have a good selection of brass fittings that will be able to serve your needs and yours is not an uncommon problem. Before you go, measure the exterior diameter of the flexible copper line, common sizes for fridge water lines are 1/4 in. and 3/8 in.. Plastic quick-connect fittings are a little cheaper than brass and are also an option, but with the water on you may want to buy two to have on hand in case the first one fails to seat correctly, for this reason I would use brass.
can you turn the water off at the sink or where its connected ?
other wise you will have to turn off the water,
always put a valve in,
not without getting wet,
yes, it can be done. any plumbing store should have a self-piercing saddle valve. just put it under the kitchen sink (if the line is split off your cold water supply to the kitchen sink), shut it off and you’re good. check this out:
http://www.waterfiltersonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=Self_Tap_Valve
yeah,turn the valve off
no u can not, but u can put a valve in the line that you buy at hardware store. they can tell u how to install the valve. it is one that also will stay there for the buyer so they can get water to their ice maker when needed. go to a lowes store if u have one near u. they will be more than glad to help u out also.
This is not a complicated project for you nor is it expensive. Get a Saddle Valve (as previously suggested) and put it on the water line somewhere between your wall and the entry to the refrigerator. It clamps onto the water line. Screw the valve all the way so that the needle pierces the line. It is now sealed. If you want water flow, simply open it. That is the entire project. With the valve shut, simply remove the water line from the refrigerator connection and it will be ready for the next owner.