Installing Saddle Valve On Cold Water Pipe
A saddle valve is a valve used to supply liquid where a low volume, low pressure stream is required. They are typically used for supplying cold water, via a 3/8 inch tube, to humidifiers and ice makers in freezers. With them, no longer did a person need ace plumbing skills to hook up the water supply to the refrigerator’s ice maker. All they needed was a few tools, some common sense, and the courage to try.
A saddle valve can be mounted without special tools anywhere on a cold water line, usually close to where it will be used. Locate the cold water riser (pipe) -perhaps under the kitchen sink, below the floor, in the wall or even in the ceiling.
Then locate the saddle valve on a convenient place in the pipe. Avoid possible hazards like sprayer hoses and misshapen pipes. Try to install in an area of easy access and point the threaded outlet toward the unit you are going to supply water to.
Position the valve around the pipe. You need to clean the pipe where you will be tapping the line with sand cloth or anything at home like steel wool. Also, you can use soapy water to rinse the leftover dirt.
Next, prepare the valve. The valve assembly consists of the shutoff valve itself and the mounting base which clamps to the pipe. Be sure that the valve body is tightly attached to its base. Check the tightness of the packing nut as well.
Tighten the screw until the valve is securely attached to the pipe. Use a wrench, but do not tighten to the point where the pipe is bent or misshapen. When making your water tap do not forget the rubber gasket that comes with the kit. It helps make the seal between the clamp and copper and to prevent electrolysis. Position it correctly and secure it with the screws until it is compressed.
Turn the valve stem inward until the piercing point extends at least 1/8″ past the surface of rubber gasket. Place the saddle valve in position with the piercing point seated into the newly drilled hole, and clamp the valve into place.
Turn the water on and check for leaks around the base gasket and the valve stem. Test the valve. If, no water comes out, you may not have turned the piercing valve stem far enough in to fully penetrate the pipe. Attempt that step again.
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