Moving the kitchen fridge to the garage. It would be nice to hook up the ice maker. However the garage isn't insulated yet, so the line will be going through uninsulated walls. Do they make insulated ice maker line? Should I run a full water line to the ice maker then the small ice maker line, or should I just run the small 1/4 inch line for the ice make the whole distance? The line will go up one wall, across the attic space and back down another one.
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Ice Maker Water Line
- Thread starter ottoguy
- Start date
Mr_fixit
Well-known member
I'd run a regular 1/2 copper line, maybe add a hose setup in the garage( or outside the garage) and then plastic line to the fridge. and shutoffs at both ends. How cold would it get in there? I definately wouldn't run the small plastic line the whole run. You might need to turn it off in the winter.
ddawg16
Well-known member
Yes to the cutoff's on both ends....
But....I would be inclinded to want to go with plastic.....especially the soft flexible stuff they make just for ice makers.....if it does freeze, it's going to take the expansion a whole lot better than copper....in fact, it will freeze...expand....and when the ice melts....all will be back to normal.
But to be on the safe side....I would try to insulate no matter what you use.
But....I would be inclinded to want to go with plastic.....especially the soft flexible stuff they make just for ice makers.....if it does freeze, it's going to take the expansion a whole lot better than copper....in fact, it will freeze...expand....and when the ice melts....all will be back to normal.
But to be on the safe side....I would try to insulate no matter what you use.
Mark-in-NH
Well-known member
I would agree with Mr Fixit, If your going to run a water line, do it right the first time. While your at it consider a hot water line. Cost would be minimal and your going through all the motions for the cold line anyway. How harder can it be to run both H + C at the same time ?
Might be a good situation in which to use Pex, from what I understand it is alot more forgiving then copper if it were to ever freeze on you. I would still take precautions against the cold. Some insulation can't hurt and some Valves and drains on both ends so you can shut off and blow out to winterize if necessary.
Might be a good situation in which to use Pex, from what I understand it is alot more forgiving then copper if it were to ever freeze on you. I would still take precautions against the cold. Some insulation can't hurt and some Valves and drains on both ends so you can shut off and blow out to winterize if necessary.
pseudorealityx
Well-known member
Run whatever you want and heat-trace it in the winter.
Something like this:
http://www.seagatecontrols.com/catalog.asp?prodid=596727&showprevnext=1
Something like this:
http://www.seagatecontrols.com/catalog.asp?prodid=596727&showprevnext=1
tcianci
Well-known member
There is no point in insulating the line... you have no heat to attempt to contain. While the water entering the line at the origin is certainly above freezing, it would have to be pretty hot and flowing pretty good in order to make it to the other end of the run without freezing. Given the surface area of the line in question with relation to the volume of water that will be passed by your average ice maker, you're dead in the water (no pun intended) before you even start. If you utilize a freeze/thaw stable piping material (maybe pex) you will probably get around the pipe damage issue but nothing short of a vacuum insulated line will preserve the small amount of heat in the water given the duty cycle of the ice maker.