I get the temptation to just cap the line—ice makers are notorious for causing headaches, especially in older places with questionable plumbing. But have you ever had tenants complain about not having one? I’ve found that some renters expect a working ice maker these days, and it can be a sticking point when listing a unit.
I’m curious—do you factor in the potential for water damage versus the convenience factor? I’ve had one bad leak from an ice maker line, but honestly, I’ve had more issues with tenants trying to DIY fixes and making things worse. Sometimes I wonder if it’s actually riskier to leave stuff capped, since folks might try to hook it up themselves.
Ever tried those braided steel lines instead of the plastic ones? They seem to hold up better, at least in my experience, but maybe I’ve just been lucky.
I’ve seen way more leaks from those cheap plastic lines than anything else—honestly, I won’t install them anymore. Braided steel is the way to go if you’re keeping the ice maker hooked up. Had a landlord client once who capped the line, and sure enough, a tenant tried to “fix” it with duct tape and a garden hose clamp... ended up with water in the basement. If you’re worried about damage, I’d rather spend a few bucks on a solid line and proper shutoff valve than risk a DIY disaster.
Can’t blame you for steering clear of those plastic lines. Had one split on me in the middle of the night—woke up to a soggy kitchen floor and a ruined baseboard. Braided steel all the way now, no question. I get folks wanting to save a buck, but the mess isn’t worth it. Duct tape and garden hose clamps... that’s just asking for trouble. You’re spot on about spending a little more up front to avoid a much bigger headache down the road.
I hear you on the plastic lines—seen way too many of those fail at the worst possible times. I swapped mine out for braided steel after a buddy’s kitchen turned into a slip-n-slide overnight. The extra $15 or so is nothing compared to the hassle and repair costs. Duct tape and hose clamps might work in a pinch, but for water lines, it’s just not worth the gamble. Sometimes cheap fixes end up being the most expensive.
Braided steel is the way to go, no question. I’ve seen those plastic lines split right down the middle and turn a minor leak into a full-on disaster. People underestimate how much water can come out of a fridge line overnight… it’s wild. I get wanting to save a few bucks, but honestly, once you’ve seen the aftermath of a kitchen flood, you start to think twice about cutting corners. I’d rather spend a little more up front than risk having to rip up floorboards later.
