Plumbing experts - three way valve similar to saddle valve and cutting away wood
Hi plumbing experts,
I'm looking to retrofit a new fridge water line, and am running into several issues.
Issue #1:
I want to use a valve where turning the handle only controls the T portion, like a saddle valve. But I don't want to use a saddle valve because of leakage, so want to use a proper valve.
I found this in HD, but it's PEX-PEX-COMP, whereas I would prefer all sharkbite.
https://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/homede ... 00&hei=375
I'm also putting in a ice maker outlet behind the fridge, however, since the fridge will have cabinets on both sides, it won't be easily accessible should I need to shut off the water quickly - which is why I want a valve in the basement ceiling.
Thoughts on if such a part (1/2" SB - 1/2" SB - 3/8" SB valve) exists and where to get it ?
If the part doesn't exist, will I need to create a new "branch" to put a regular valve on it? I'd hate to do this because on the other side of the pipe is a rectangular hvac duct (parallel to the pipes, not the round pipe you see in the image), so there's absolutely no room.
Issue 2:
I've attached 2 images of the existing pipes. The yellow outlines indicates where I want to put the valve, as well as it's distance to the fridge line (the drilled hole).
The current clearance leaves much to be desired. The wood that's surrounding the pipes are just framing for drywall, so I'm not concerned with cutting away a 6-10" gap. Preferably I can cut away the wood that's beside the pipe so that i can get my pipe cutter to cut the pipes. What is the best way to cut the wood without damaging the pipes? Oscillating saw? Small manual saw?
Once I remove the wood and get a bit more clearance, it's still pretty tight to everything else. Which is why I wanted to get sharkbite, instead of soldering. I know the debate with sharkbite, and most likely when I refinish the basement in the future, the accessible plumbing in the entire basement will be redone, so not longer for comments on not getting sharkbite. Time is also of the essence as I'd like to complete the fridge line within 2 days before my appliances are delivered, so the quicker I can do this the better.
Thoughts?
TIA.
I'm looking to retrofit a new fridge water line, and am running into several issues.
Issue #1:
I want to use a valve where turning the handle only controls the T portion, like a saddle valve. But I don't want to use a saddle valve because of leakage, so want to use a proper valve.
I found this in HD, but it's PEX-PEX-COMP, whereas I would prefer all sharkbite.
https://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/homede ... 00&hei=375
I'm also putting in a ice maker outlet behind the fridge, however, since the fridge will have cabinets on both sides, it won't be easily accessible should I need to shut off the water quickly - which is why I want a valve in the basement ceiling.
Thoughts on if such a part (1/2" SB - 1/2" SB - 3/8" SB valve) exists and where to get it ?
If the part doesn't exist, will I need to create a new "branch" to put a regular valve on it? I'd hate to do this because on the other side of the pipe is a rectangular hvac duct (parallel to the pipes, not the round pipe you see in the image), so there's absolutely no room.
Issue 2:
I've attached 2 images of the existing pipes. The yellow outlines indicates where I want to put the valve, as well as it's distance to the fridge line (the drilled hole).
The current clearance leaves much to be desired. The wood that's surrounding the pipes are just framing for drywall, so I'm not concerned with cutting away a 6-10" gap. Preferably I can cut away the wood that's beside the pipe so that i can get my pipe cutter to cut the pipes. What is the best way to cut the wood without damaging the pipes? Oscillating saw? Small manual saw?
Once I remove the wood and get a bit more clearance, it's still pretty tight to everything else. Which is why I wanted to get sharkbite, instead of soldering. I know the debate with sharkbite, and most likely when I refinish the basement in the future, the accessible plumbing in the entire basement will be redone, so not longer for comments on not getting sharkbite. Time is also of the essence as I'd like to complete the fridge line within 2 days before my appliances are delivered, so the quicker I can do this the better.
Thoughts?
TIA.
Last edited by enwhyRFD on Jan 10th, 2018 11:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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