Hooking up ice maker waterline to washing machine line?

9 years ago

I'm going to hook up our new fridge ice maker/water dispenser, to the cold waterline for the washer. Can you think of any sanitation issues with this configuration, is the water that comes out of the washer line considered portable water? Do you think the taste from the washers rubber hose will transfer over via the 'Y' connector to the ice maker?

We live in a mobile home, and my laundry room is right behind my fridge, a much shorter distance than the sink. Also; our sink inlet lines are solid with no shut off valves, our home was made in 1994.

I'm planning on drilling a hole in the wall behind the fridge, and running a braided waterline from the washer outlet to the fridge inlet. Below is the configuration I plan on using, do you foresee any issues with the below setup?

Attach a brass garden hose "Y" with a shut off valve, a braided ice maker line, Teflon tape and a few adapters to reduce/make the connection from the "Y" to the braided line. Then just connect everything up (using Teflon tape).

Washing machine cold water supply > garden hose "Y" > garden hose shutoff valve > reducer > reducer > braided ice maker line > refrigerator.

My biggest concern is finding the adapters for downsizing from 3/4 female to 1/4 male needed to attach the ice maker waterline. (Below are the supplies I plan to purchase)

Thank you for any input!

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Comments (5)

klem1
9 years ago
I don't know where you plan to use the chrome piece with black washer(it is designed to allow hooking a garden hose where an aerator screw's into a bath or kitchen faucet). I have used that type hose tee in my garden and find they leak at cut offs after several months. I don't believe water will be tainted due to laundry connection. Look into using shark bites to install a tee with stop valve.
Vith
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Usually you splice a tee with a shut off into the line and attach the 1/4 line via compression, but I am thinking this is not what you are considering. You would have to know how to cut the line and install the tee.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-1-2-in-Push-to-Connect-x-1-2-in-Push-to-Connect-x-1-4-in-Compression-Service-Stop-Tee-24983A/206356284
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Elon Gated 2
7 years ago
I'm thinking of doing this same exact thing. How did it go? What did you end up using for your solution?
pwb503
7 years ago
If you're looking for an update head over to this URL (crossposted there...) where they address this. https://www.plbg.com/forum/read.php?1,593507
Bruce in Northern Virginia
7 years ago
When I was installing my PEX plumbing I found that most junctions, fixtures, fittings and other parts had two versions - one certified as lead free for potable water and one for other uses (e.g., heating systems, lawn and garden, etc.). The potable water version of the fittings was usually a little more expensive. than the general purpose fittings.

The brass garden hose Y and its rubber washers might last quite a while, but they aren't really intended to be used under continuous pressure. I would be very concerned about it eventually leaking.

Bruce