Replace self tapping saddle valve. |
Question And Answer Category: Plumbing |
Question: |
| Dear BlankHelp Team, I have a leaking saddle valve that feeds my refrigerator. It is for the ice maker. I've tighten down on the saddle part, yet the valve still leaks. It seems to be coming from the gasket area where it touches the water piping. I've looked at the cost for a plumber to come out and sweat in a real feed for my ice maker, but for a few bucks (the cost of a saddle valve from Home Depot), I would like to first try installing self tapping saddle valve again. I've never did a re-install, can you walk me through it? thank you, Bob |
Our Advice and Answer: |
| Hello Bob, Yes, Saddle Valves do fail over time. Some municipalites even have rules against their use. Since they can fail and cause a mess, even mold conditions, before their failure is known. Ok, asking around our group, we found one person who had a 10+ year old saddle valve fail, and this is what he did. After he found out that cost too for a plumber to come out and tee in a permanent feed for his ice maker was going to be very expensive. Steps for (re)installing self tapping saddle valve. 1. Buy a replacement saddle valve. Saddle valves come in different sizes, so make sure you have one that fits your already existing tubing. (1/4 saddle valve or 3/8 saddle valve). 2. Read the instructions with the new self-tapping saddle valve, take an inventory, and become familiar with its installation steps. 3. Shut off your water to the old saddle valve. Caution, if you expect to have the water off more than a short time, shut off your water heater as well. 4. Open a low drain. The idea is to bleed pressure, and have air entering the small hole rather than tinkling on you. 5. Remove tubing, open valve. You should here air entering, of if you didn't vent, let water escape till the pressure is relieved. 6. Remove old saddle valve. 7. Clean piping, remove all rust, salts, and dirt, so the new valve can properly seat against the piping wall. 8. Assemble the new saddle valve and loosely install it over the old hole. Close the valve till the piercing needle pokes out far enough to fit in the old hole. This will be you guide as you tighten the saddle. 9. Tighten the saddle, but stop when the gasket starts to compress. 10. Fully open the Saddle Valve, and tighten the saddle to final installation tightness 11. Test the installation, by closing the Saddle Valve, you should have almost no resistance, since you are reusing an existing pierced hole. If you have problems, loosen and repeat steps 8+. 12. With saddle valve closed, reopen water supply to it. 13. Check for leaks, tighten as needed, and refill/vent water piping. 14. With a bucket, open and flush the new valve. Close when satisfied. 15. Reattach old tubing, this is the time to install new tubing if you like. The End. The cost of a plumber can make people cringe, but if you cannot replace your old saddle valve with a new one, maybe a plumber is needed. They will install a permanent supply valve and it shouldn't fail in 10 years like a typical saddle valve. Good luck, The BlankHelp Team |
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