Ice Makers
Ice Maker Water Lines and the Plumbing Behind Them
Introduction
It’s summer time in Rochester, and it’s getting hot! How nice would it be to get fresh ice with the push of a button? Thankfully, there are refrigerators with ice makers! We can hold our glass up to the refrigerator and automatically get ice. However, we usually don’t think about the process of how the water and ice gets into our glass. There’s a lot that goes on behind your refrigerator in order for it to do its job. But it’s important for you to know what’s going on behind the scenes! This article will help break down what ice maker lines actually are and how you can avoid any unwanted plumbing disasters! Since it’s starting to heat up in Rochester, we’re offering you this ice maker line deal! Get $75 off an ice maker line throughout the entire month of June! Find out all the reasons why you won’t want to miss out on this special deal!
Top 5 Reasons to Get an Ice Maker
Convenience
Have you ever gone into your freezer for ice cubes only to find that someone in your household didn’t refill the tray? Did your ice cubes not freeze in enough time for you to enjoy your drink? I know I have experienced both of those situations! With a built-in ice maker, you can have ice readily available.
Hot summers
Once again, Monroe County is heating up! Having ice at your fingertips will make this summer more bearable!
Entertaining
We are so happy that COVID-19 restrictions are slowly being lifted and that people are feeling safer everyday. With that said, are you ready to host people at your house? With ice maker machines, you won’t have to worry about freezing ice cubes, they will already be built into your refrigerator!
Hygiene
Your ice cubes will be much cleaner by using a built-in ice maker. Think about how much food is stuffed inside your freezer. Now, think about ice cube trays also being stuffed in your freezer. Other items will most likely touch the ice cube trays, making them unsanitary.
Another way of keeping your ice and water clean is by having a water filtration system. Learn more about their benefits here!
Day Trips
There are so many places to day trip in and around Rochester. By having a big quantity of ice available at your dispense, you can stock your cooler and be on your way! No need to stop at a convenience store to buy any!
Ice Makers vs. Ice Maker Water Lines
What’s the difference? The ice maker is the appliance. It’s what holds all of your ice in the freezer. The important part behind ice makers is the ice maker water line. At Pride Plumbing of Rochester, we don’t install the ice maker itself, but we do install the ice maker water line. The water line is responsible for getting the water to your ice machine to create the ice.
How Do Ice Makers Work?
As we know, to make ice, we put water in an ice cube tray, place it in the freezer, and then take the ice cubes out once they’re frozen. An ice maker is similar to that, the only difference is that it’s an automated assembly line process. Ice maker machines are powered by electricity and most of them have an electric motor. A switch turns on and sends a signal to open a valve, which is only open for about 7 seconds. The valve only lets in enough water to fill the ice mold. Once the ice mold within the fridge is filled, it will go through a freezing process. The cooling unit in the refrigerator does the freezing process itself. The electrical circuit activates the motor, spins and ejects the ice cubes and pushes them into the ice maker.
Copper vs. Plastic
Copper and plastic are two of the most common materials when it comes to ice maker water lines. Copper lines are durable and can withstand all of the pressure from the water. They also last much longer and are resistant to corrosion and can be easily managed. Some individuals have mentioned that the water and ice from the refrigerator tastes bad coming from plastic or PVC tubing but with copper lines, you wouldn’t have to worry about that!
Plastic water lines are generally found in water supply line kits and they are much cheaper than copper lines. There is a good reason for this! The plastic water lines are likely to burst and kink, which would cause flooding and damage to your floor and walls. If you have wooden floors, you definitely don’t want to have a plastic water line! The reason they easily break is because the plastic material can’t always handle the pressure and flow of the water. The buildup of water will cause the line to split and leak.
The ice maker water line is so important because it needs to withstand the pressure of the water flowing inside of it. At Pride Plumbing, we only install copper water lines. We want you to have the best equipment and we definitely don’t want you to encounter stressful leaks!
The Shutoff Valve You Want
Have you ever had an emergency and needed to shut off your water, but you couldn’t turn the shutoff valve off? That is something we want to help you avoid! Pride Plumbing Services Inc. only uses the best shutoff valves for your needs. They are called quarter turn shutoff valves. Shutting these off is simple. All you need to do is turn it a quarter to turn them on or off.
When the ice maker water line is first installed, saddle-type shutoff valves are generally used. They are also called self-piercing saddle valves. This type of valve can be found with both plastic or copper water lines, however, you should avoid them at all costs. Self-piercing saddle valves are known to clog and not allow water through the line. They have a higher chance of leaking than a valve that is properly installed. Each time a self-piercing saddle valve is used, the more susceptible it is to leaking. Another problem with self-piercing saddle valves is that they include a rubber seal on the end of them, which will eventually deteriorate. These also allow calcium deposits to build up over time. Call Pride Plumbing of Rochester at 585-271-7150 if you want to replace any of your valves with our quarter turn shutoff valves!
Ice Maker Water Valve Box
To get easy access to your shutoff valve, an ice maker water valve box or an ice maker supply box can be installed. It is a self-contained box that provides a recessed space for the ice maker line valve. They are built into the wall, generally located near the lower left corner of the refrigerator.
Conclusion
Do you have a plastic ice maker water line that you want replaced with a reliable copper line? Are you unsure if you have a self-piercing saddle valve? Call Pride Plumbing of Rochester at 585-271-7150 or fill out our form online for us to take a look at your refrigerator and ice maker water line to see if you should make any necessary changes. Don’t forget, the deal of the month is $75 off an ice maker line!
