Hide away unsightly red and blue water lines
PEX water lines work well for this project because the flexible tubing bends easily through wall openings and needs support clamps every 16 to 24 inches to prevent sagging.
Your DIY materials for fishing water lines through a wall cost around $170 for PEX tubing, support clamps, and bend supports, excluding tools you already own.
You'll drill two holes per water line in the drywall, then pull the PEX through and connect it to your appliance using push-to-connect fittings and supply valves.
Hiring a local plumbing professional provides reliable support with copper water line installations, which require propane torch work that's best left to experienced hands.
If your new refrigerator just arrived, you likely can’t wait to test out the water dispenser. But first, you’ll need to learn how to fish a water line through a wall to connect the water lines to the fridge.
This process makes it possible to hide the flexible water line tubing, making your fridge area look streamlined and clean. Follow this step-by-step guide for fishing a water line through a wall.
Any plumbing work requires some know-how and prep in advance to minimize the risk of leaks or water damage. From finding the right tubing for your water lines to shutting off the water main, here are some steps to take before you open up the wall to fish a water line through it.
If you are making water line repairs or replacements, you’ll want to pick up the correct type of piping. You can stick to the material already in your home, or you can update the system with more modern, popular choices, like PEX or copper.
Polyethylene cross-linked pipe (PEX): This rust-resistant plastic piping is flexible, making it easy to work with and ideal for water supply lines.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): Save PVC pipes for sewage and cool water draining, since this material is not durable enough for water supply lines or hot water.
Copper: While copper is a popular choice for water supply lines because it doesn’t impact water quality, it is difficult to install without professional help and can be expensive.
Galvanized: Galvanized pipes are prone to rust over time and are typically only found in older homes. If you’re doing plumbing work, consider upgrading galvanized water lines to PEX or copper.
ABS: Like PVC, ABS pipes are best for drain, waste, or vent pipes. They also cannot be exposed to sunlight.
Before starting any plumbing project, you should check the wall for existing pipes, water lines, or other water connections. Knowing the location of these objects can also help you minimize the risk of a leak or stop one in its tracks. A metal-detecting stud finder can help locate metal pipes, or you can use a wall scanner while running hot and cold water through the pipes to locate plastic pipes.
Perhaps the most critical step of all, make sure to locate your main water shut-off valve and turn it off before handling water supply lines. You’ll also want to make sure any appliances that run on water, like your dishwasher or washing machine, are turned off. Turn on faucets briefly to drain excess water in the pipes, then shut them off before you start working.
After completing the prep steps, use a power drill to drill holes in the wall where you’d like to fish the water lines through. Cut two holes in the drywall per water line, one where the water line will go into the wall and a second where the water line will come back out. You’ll likely deal with two water lines: one for hot water and one for cold. The holes should be near where the supply lines will connect to appliances or plumbing fixtures.
If you’re working with more rigid pipes, like PVC, or connecting water supply lines over a long distance, you may need to remove a section of the wall with an oscillating tool fitted with a half-moon blade. Before you cut out any drywall, make sure to locate wall studs and electrical wires and shut off power to the circuits in the area you’re working in.
Many water supply lines have flexible PEX tubing that is easy to maneuver, but it will need some extra support to prevent sagging or kinking. Pull the PEX lines through the holes in the wall. Place PEX support clamps about every 16 to 24 inches, and use bend supports when tubes are positioned around tight corners.
Bring the PEX pipe through the second hole. If it is hidden in a cabinet, you can install a barbed PEX shut-off valve. For PEX lines that will be visible, like behind a toilet, you can disguise the lines by crimping a copper stub-out to the PEX line with a power crimper.
With the water line pushed through the drilled holes, you can pull the water lines over to the appliance or plumbing fixture and connect it with push-to-connect fittings. The location of the fittings differs based on the item, so consult your user’s manual if you have trouble locating them.
If they aren’t already, use push-to-connect fittings to connect the water supply lines to the water-supply valves. You can connect the lines to the valves using a connector nut and a wrench.
Now that the hard work is done, it’s time to test whether the installation worked. Double-check that your water supply lines are connected, and then turn the main water valve back on. Turn on the faucet or appliance to test the water connection, and check for leaks from the newly installed water supply lines.
If you tackle this project on your own, you’ll spend about $170 for the PEX water line materials, including tubing, support clamps, and bend supports. You’ll need to spend more on materials if your toolbox isn’t already stocked with handy items like an oscillating tool or a power crimper. On the other hand, hiring a plumber costs $45 to $200 per hour, and these pros already have the tools necessary to get the job done right.
If your home has copper water supply lines, you shouldn’t DIY because this material requires using a propane torch to make connections. It can be dangerous, and you have to keep the temperature just right—not too hot or cold—for proper connections. Instead, hire a plumber near you to complete the work safely and efficiently.
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