Keeping your home stocked with ice is a challenge, especially if you regularly host parties and other events. Fortunately, owning an ice maker can make it easy to keep a supply of cubes on hand. Installing an ice maker in your home is not difficult, but the process involves some plumbing tasks. Fortunately, installing a water line for an ice maker is one of the easier plumbing projects. The process involves only two main steps: drilling a hole through the wall and connecting the water supply line to the new appliance. It typically takes about 30 minutes to complete this project from start to finish. Read on for more detailed instructions about how to install a water line for an ice maker.
How To Install A Water Line For An Ice Maker
1. Plan & Measure
Before beginning this project, measure and mark the location of the ice maker on the wall. Ice makers are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, so it is important to know exactly where they will go before drilling holes in your walls. For this project, you will need to drill a hole that is at least 2 inches in diameter on all sides. Measure the distance from the wall studs to where you want to install your ice maker. This will give you an idea of where to place your water line when drilling starts.
2. Remove Drywall & Plasterboard
Remove or cover any plasterboard or drywall covering the wall if there are any. Find a drill bit deep enough for installing through plasterboard or drywall, and use it to make a hole for your water supply line.
3. Cut Water Supply Line & Driller Tip For Best Results
Cut the water supply line to length, and use a drill bit or saw to make a hole in the wall. Start with a 6-inch drill bit, and work your way up to a 12-inch bit if necessary. Make sure you have plenty of room on the outside of the wall for connecting the water supply line to your ice maker.
4. Drill Water Line Hole
Depending on your ice maker model and manufacturer, you may need different drill bits for drilling through plasterboard or drywall. Start by drilling smaller holes in several locations on the wall if necessary, then use an electric drill with a circular saw attachment to create one large hole through the wall using a 1/2-inch bit. If you are installing an electric ice maker, follow the instructions provided with your model for drilling through plasterboard or drywall. Never use any type of hammer or sledgehammer when drilling holes in walls! If you do not want to hire professionals to help you install an electric ice maker, consider using an electric drill instead of hammering out holes manually with a sledgehammer. Electric drills are safer than hammers because they do not cause damage when used properly.
5. Attach Water Supply Line & Ice Maker To Wall Studs & Water Outlet Faucet
Use long screws (such as 3 inches long) and washers (1/4 inch thick) to attach both pieces of metal tubing that come with most models of ice makers to the wall studs. If you are using a water line with an inlet faucet, attach the faucet to the wall studs with screws and washers.
6. Connect Water Supply Line To Water Inlet Faucet
Connect the end of your water supply line to the inlet faucet of your ice maker’s water source, which will be located at the bottom of your unit. The inlet faucet is usually a piece of metal that is connected to a rubber hose that leads down to a drain pan under your unit. If you are installing an electric ice maker, connect it directly to an outlet on your unit using an extension cord in order for it to work properly and produce ice quickly. For more information about how you can connect your electric ice maker.
Drill A Hole For The Water Line
- Shut off the water source to the ice maker. If you cannot shut off the water, turn off all faucets in the house.
- Turn off all electrical outlets in your home that are not needed for appliances or lighting.
- Turn off and disconnect the water supply line from the existing ice maker, if there is one.
- Turn on a hot water faucet in your home, such as a hand-held shower head or kitchen faucet, and allow it to run for at least 30 minutes before continuing with this step (or until you have cleared any air bubbles out of the line).
- Find a suitable wall location for drilling a hole into your house’s exterior wall (see below). Make sure that you choose an area that is easy to access with a screwdriver and will not be damaged by drilling into it (such as an upper cabinet door that closes over it).
- Drill a 2-inch diameter hole through both exterior walls of your house using a power drill with a 1/8-inch bit attachment (or 1/4 inch bit if you do not have access to power tools). Use plenty of lubricant for this task, such as WD40 or similar lubricant products designed for use with power tools and drills; otherwise, damage can occur to interior walls due to vibration or friction from high speeds being used when drilling through them.
Connect The New Water Line
- Start by removing the old water supply line from the wall. This is usually done by unscrewing the nut on top of the cold water faucet. If you are replacing an existing faucet, remove it and store it in a safe place for reinstallation later.
- The next step is to drill a hole large enough to accommodate your new water supply line. You can use a cordless drill with a 3/8 inch drill bit, but you may need to make multiple attempts until you find the right size hole for your project.
- Once you have drilled the hole, install a slip-joint faucet adapter in it so that you can connect your new line to it without having to cut into any walls or floors.
- If you are replacing a faucet, you will also need to remove it from the wall. If you are replacing an existing faucet, you can use a wrench and pliers to remove the nut on top of the faucet.
- Once you have removed your old faucet, use a pipe cutter to remove any remaining parts from the hole in your wall.
- Thread your new water supply line through the hole in your wall and attach it to the slip-joint faucet adapter with a pair of pliers or a pipe cutter.
Install The Ice Maker
- Measure the distance from the wall to the place where you want to install your ice maker.
- Use a tape measure to mark the wall where you want to drill a hole.
- Mark the location of your water supply line and mark it on your wall with a pencil or marker.
- Drill at least two holes for your water supply line on your wall, one hole for each of the two lines (one for cold water, one for hot water). To keep from drilling through other walls, install a template that is slightly larger than your finished hole size before you begin drilling.
- Use small screws and nuts to secure the template in place over your hole before starting to drill through the sheetrock wall with a masonry bit, which is usually best suited for this project because it is more durable than other types of bits used in drywall work. The masonry bit should be large enough so that it can cut through solid concrete without breaking or bending; this will help prevent damage to your new appliance when you are done installing it.
Conclusion
Installing a water line for an ice maker is a straightforward do-it-yourself project that can save time and money. This project is much easier than re-plumbing an entire kitchen just for an ice maker. Instead, homeowners can simply install a new water line with a feeder. Once you’ve drilled a hole for the water line and installed the feeder, you’re ready to install the ice maker. The ice machine will be connected to the water line feeder, allowing water to flow directly into the ice bucket. Once the ice maker is in place, you can enjoy freshly made cubes at the push of a button.