Plumbing water filter lines

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    • December 9, 2021 at 9:48 am #3454
      AskingAl
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      When my now retired or moved out of the area plumber (excellent in general but human like the rest of us) did the water line for my current refrigerator, he first attached it to the hot water being that he had done a lot of restaurant installations. Commercial equipment uses hot water to make clear ice. Domestic equipment is not necessarily built to withstand hot water. We are not 100% certain exactly which parts were affected but the water volume in an already low volume home (we are inline with the local reservoir which works on gravity) went to almost nothing meaning ice cubes would form as just shells, etc. I’ve been using an under-sink filter system since but need to discontinue use until I remodel. I have ordered a countertop water filter appliance that can connect to the refrigerator line which leads me to my questions. I think that the line from the water supply to about floor level is copper line and then the tubing from the refrigerator connects to that I am assuming that the damage is on this side of the copper line meaning either in the tubing or internal for the fridge. The filter unit comes with a kit to split the tubing and create a T.
      1) What is the likelihood that it was the tubing that was affected? Should I cut into the tubing as would typically be done or should I connect between the tubing and the copper?
      2) If instead of using a T fitting, I used a straight/direct fitting would leaving the refrigerator unconnected create a problem of any kind assuming that the ice maker is kept off?
      3) As Just Ask Al, The Appliance Expert! has explained, mold may build up if a water dispenser or ice make goes unused for a period. Would this mold situation be limited to the dispenser end or could it affect the tubing and/or copper tubing or connections?
      4) Would the same mold with disuse principle apply to a counter top unit? If so, how many days would it take? If on vacation for example, would it require a cleaning upon return? Would this also apply to under sink type dispensers or no because the outlet/exposure is a faucet?
      5) Thoughts on a whole house filter system? Brand recommendations? How thourogh are the compared to under sink? Would you do both? Would you wait until remodel to install whole house or do it now? Would the mess created by a remodel destroy the system? In addition to the standard water contaminant concerns, despite having one of the purest water sources around, chloramine added to our local water supply is so strong that I am now having to replace my toilet flapper almost annually so I need a system that will eliminate as much of that as possible. I understand that this would be overkill for many but it is necessary in my household. Even my dog’s health has improved using filtered water.
      💧

    • December 9, 2021 at 10:09 am #3462
      AL
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      So I tried to fully understand the issue, and I think I got most of it!

      1.  It’s a moot point, but the fact he hooked up to hot water baffles me. So odd he even attempted it. Maybe it’s good he’s retired. Probably a nice guy though.
      2. It’s ok to run copper to the fridge as most houses are. The copper will hook up to the back of the unit, the solenoid valve. Or some go directly to a union that takes copper to plastic. That is still ok.
      3. Most fridges have an internal water filter, so double filtering could cause low water flow.
      4. I would disconnect the filter all together let it flow cold right into the unit, and see if it helps.
      5. New fridges require a min water pressure to make ice, or you can get the shells you describe. Wondering if it’s just a pressure issue here. Not the fact he did hot at all. Many plastic lines can handle hot water as long as below a certain temp

      So while I am trying to fully grasp it, I think if able, you need to test the pressure just before it enters the fridge. If it’s in the 20-40PSI range, it should work. So can he test it before it enters? If it’s good on that end. I would look at replacing the solenoid valve. In case it did hurt or damage it. I still think it’s not the hot water but a pressure issue. I have had newer fridges I delivered in the city with similar issues with no filters. It has been deemed by service to low pressure to make cubes.

      Whole house and under-counter units I like the Pelican system. Same for countertop units. I like their system. It’s the same for countertops. But again, if the fridge has a filter, you may want to remove and use their bypass valve. So the double filtering does not affect flow.

      I hope this helps, my ADHD kicking today, and I had to read back a few times 🙂

       

    • December 18, 2021 at 6:16 am #3730
      AskingAl
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      Lol! Let’s have a battle of ADHD blockades on this. I have forgotten for over a week to check the website well forgotten during times when I could and remembered while showering or driving or walking the dog with phone left home…you know true ADHD style! My new filter appliance has arrived so I have to try to figure out best practices for now and figure out whether I will need additional supplies above what is supplied and typically used.
      BTW, he was an excellent plumber, his work was so refined that the rough plumbing that he did could have easily been on display out in the open rather than hidden away. The problem was that he had started his career with a focus in commercial work with emphasis of restaurant and food industry. It’s a fact that commercial ice machines go better with hot if clear ice is desired. My refrigerator plumbing situation happened near the start of his transition to high-end residential but many of his initial  clients for obvious reasons were chefs who had commercial equipment and finishes in much of their kitchens.my ex was a chef with one of  his old bosses being one of the aforementioned chef clients which is how we wound up there. He was a five star level contractor and made one error. We are all human. Not many contractors can sell their business. His reputation and business model were good enough to do so. I am sure that it was partially a brain fart, partially an experiment. It worked for a little but eventually didn’t.

      – We do have low volume/pressure but it is adequate enough to run a complicated drip irrigation system in the garden which has the lowest flow of the house.
      – I have zero desire to use the water or ice in the  refrigerator/freezer – so little that when I get around to selecting which model I want for my future renovation I will be asking you for recommendations for units without either.
      – The filter appliance that I have purchased is the Coway Aquamega. To be able to use it, I have to connect it to a water line. The manufacturer give two options the first being drilling a hole through the counter and tapping into the sink supply. There are a surprising number of companies with systems that use this concept but that is not gonna happen here ever. Option 2 is to tap into the water line for a refrigerator or other appliance. They supply a T-shaped connector so that people can literally pop it into a cut made in the refrigerator water line tubing allowing for one line to feed both appliances. The great thing is that after my remodel, I can run a water line to a bedroom and have an endless water source without actually having a sink and under sink filter. For now, since I do not want to use the refrigerator water and ice and have not for a decade or so, I am wondering if it would be problematic to use a straight connection rather than the T and just leave the refrigerator disconnected. Will that risk a leak or other problems?
      – You have mentioned refrigerator water and ice components developing mold if not in use for a little while. Since mine has not been used for an eternity, I am sure that there is mold involved. I am wondering if that mold might go as far as contaminating the water line in any way. If so, I will have a new one run.
      – Finally, so that I know what my future maintenance needs will be, do you know if the concept of a water dispenser getting moldy if not used for awhile would apply to a countertop unit?

      I think that that is all of the questions for this topic but once I get this out of the way, I have more for you! 😅

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