The refrigerator is often just thought of as a kitchen appliance that keeps food chilled or frozen. But in some ways, it’s become one of the hubs of any home. Parents and children regularly dip into the fridge for food, drinks and snacks. People even leave messages, pictures and lists on the fridge because it’s the one point in a home that everyone will visit eventually.
Because of the refrigerator’s increasing importance, it’s also gained a lot of functionality for the home over the years. The newest models are even Internet-ready and can work with your phone! But even if you don’t need that high tech functionality, you might still appreciate getting a glass of water, or some ice cubes directly from your fridge. And you can, provided you connect it correctly.
Getting Water
Some refrigerators will let put a glass or pitcher in a specific receptacle and get clean, cool drinking water, just like from a faucet.
Of course, in order to facilitate this, a fridge will need to be connected to your kitchen plumbing. If your new fridge has functions similar to your old fridge, then connecting it to the water supply is very easy.
The intensive work has already been done in this case. So you need to either take the existing flexible water pipe that may have come with your old fridge, or is included with your new one. Connect that water pipe to the transition connector that is already installed on the cold water pipe your old fridge was using, and once the connection is made, test it. That’s it!
Getting Ice
Some refrigerators may also be able to take water, and create ice cubes with them. That means you don’t need an ice cube tray, water and some time in the freezer to enjoy chilled drinks.
You can just stick your glass under the dispenser and get ice cubes anytime you like. This type of convenience also requires a connection to your kitchen plumbing.
However, if your previous fridge did not require a kitchen plumbing connection, you’ll now have to make one in order to enjoy these added water functions.
You’ll need to locate the nearest water pipe to your fridge and either drill a hole in the floor to gain access to it, or select a nearby sink or other water fixture with pipes if that’s not an option.
Once you have the pipe that you want to use selected, you’ll need to shut off your water supply while you get to work. Get new parts, like a copper transition connector, and some tools and accessories like pliers, Teflon tape and a propane torch.
With the water supply off, cut the water pipe at your selected area and attach the copper transition connector. Solidify it with Teflon tape and apply the propane torch to solder everything into place. When that’s all done, take the flexible water pipe and plug it into the transition connector. Test it to make sure everything works.
The Easy Choice
For people living in West Covina, CA that don’t feel like taking the DIY approach, another viable solution is to call the professionals!
Bring in certified, experienced plumbers, explain the situation, then sit back and let seasoned experts quickly get your fridge connected to your kitchen plumbing in a quality, professional way!