HD refuses to hook up new fridge to water line
 

I was caught off guard when the installers said they are not allowed to hook up the existing water line to the fridge. The flex line is connected to a push pull valve that is recessed in the wall. I hooked it up as soon as the left and it works fine. I was talking to a friend and he had the same thing happen and had to have a plumber install a new valve/tubing.
Have there been Issues with the tubing/valve. My home was built in 2004.
I know my toilets have the same valves and connected tubing

The plastic push-pull valves are cheap valves, but I don't think your issue with Home Depot has anything to do with the valve. They apparently don't include connecting the water line to the refrigerator as part of their installation. It may have something to do with the installers not being licensed plumbers and possible liability for Home Depot.

IMO. This has everything to do with product warranty and HD/contractor liability. Best Buy changed our push/pull valve when they delivered our refrigerator. Pretty sure they weren't licensed plumbers. We had they remaining valves changed to turn on/off type. It seems after a period of time, the cheap plastic push/pull valves can burst. Should that happen when one is away, not a good thing.

Just to clarify, the push-pull valve at the wall behind the refrigerator has nothing to do with the refrigerator warranty. The valve will be open all the time. The refrigerator has its own solenoid valve that controls the water flow into the refrigerator. But, Home Depot may not allow unlicensed plumbers to connect the refrigerator to the house water system. If the connection leaks, Home Depot could be liable for damages because they hired an unlicensed plumber. It doesn't really matter what kind of valve they install, the connection can leak. It may be a good policy for Home Depot, but I would want the installer to make the water connection.

Once they touch it they own it and would be responsible for any leaks that could possibly occur.

Agreed!

Best Buy also will not connect to a push-pull valve, I let them install a new turn valve when they brought the refrigerator and under the sink for the dishwasher. I had earlier tried to install a new faucet on the laundry tub in the garage and the push pull valve was a piece of junk, so I had Kiley & Sons already replace the bathroom sinks and toilets in the whole house.

https://images.homedepot-static.com/...olf-64_400.jpg

https://terrylove.com/images/homeown...off-pull-2.jpg

Well, except when you disconnect the old fridge.:1rotfl:

Hopefully, that goes without saying.

Any type of OLD valve has the potential to leak. Big box store’s contract out installers.

I was also charged for a $30.00 stainless hose that was part of the install package
that I was unable to use. I am happy with the existing valve hose and valve so far
The installers made no attempt to correct the problem, that's when I said I will take care of it.

When i decided to upgrade my appliances earlier this year, i went with home depot and paid for installation. When they came to my house they first said they would not do the dishwasher... after several tense moments they then said they wouldn't do the water line to the fridge. Everything was unboxed by then.. some had been wheeled into the kitchen. I told them to get out of my hosue and take the appliances with them . got a full refund and bought them at lowes, who connected both

If didn’t use the 30 dollar hose you can return it Nd get refund.

Good for you!!!

I had Sears refusing to hook up my gas dryer and washer. I had a internet receipt stating that the cost of the units included delivery and installation. The installed them after i showed the receipt to them.

When I bought a new refrigerator from HD four years ago the deal was if you wanted them to install it you had to buy a new supply line. They would not connect the existing supply tube that comes from the shut off valve in the wall. Had nothing to do with what kind of shut off the valve had. They moved my “old” fridge which was brand new to the garage for me and installed the new one with no questions asked

HD
 

I bought appliances recently. I hooked up the waterline for the fridge, not a big issue. HD did hook up the dishwasher. Only requirement was that you used a metal flex hose.

Hello..

I am a licensed plumber..

Home depot are using delivery or handyman ect to bring your fridge..

They are correct to not be installing any "potable" water valves in your household..

At least in canada(where i reside) its illegal for anyone other then a licensed plumber to work on potable water..this is your drinking water and you could potentially be poisined with using the wrong materials by some cowboy who has not been properly trained..
Thanks

Good to know.

We purchased a new frig from Lowes less than 2 years ago. At the time of sale, it was very clear to us that they would not hook up the water line to the refrigerator. I guess you have to know the right questions to ask.

The job is an easy one to accomplish.

Lived there 12 yrs and never had a problem with them leaking,however you should hold on to the valve because it can come loose from the wall.....

Not always
 

Not always. Sometimes those push pull valves won’t turn off, so you have to turn off your main water supply.

There are problems with liability in case there is a water leak. The installation people are not licensed plumbers. I suspect sometimes after installation there was a water leak in someone's house and they sued. So now the installers do not do it. If you do it and your house floods it is your fault.

I am new to the V. The second picture I am thinking is the push and pull valve?? If that is correct. Is the valve threaded on to the pipe? Did not know that was a push pull valve. The round knob looks like a turn valve. I will look at replacing this valve myself. Thanks for the info.

The same thing happened to us. The installer then changed out the valve right then and there... and charged us. I had never seen those types of push/pull valves until we moved down here. On my bucket list is to have a plumber replace all of them in the house. The ones the developer put in are very cheap and look like they could break off with one pull.

Then tell them to take back the frig.

Our installer told us it has everything to do with the fact that the push/pull valves would fail and the installer would be called back for damage because of installation when it really wasn’t the installation that was the problem, it was the valve.

Home Depot installed our fridge water last year.

water damage from a leaky fridge is a bad thing - don't be cheap on this valve and line - use robust copper and a good valve that you can shutoff in need be - speaking from experience

Strange. I bought a refrigerator up north from Home Depot and they completely installed it. Maybe it’s State by State or the manager of your store just does not want to take the responsibility. Do you know if the people who came to install it were Home Depot employees or were they third party subcontractors? That could be the case.

The push/pull type valves that are installed in the house in The Villages should be eliminated by code in new construction. Problem solved in the long run for the most part. What’s next? When you buy a new washer the delivery won’t include hooking up the washer hoses. Next they will leave the appliance on the front yard because they would be liable if they ruin your hardwood floors. Customer service is just about non-existent. The stores should include in their price whatever it takes to make the appliance useable or let you know upfront that you have to hire an additional person to finish the job. There are aged widows and widowers who can’t do these so called simple jobs.

We bought a new refrigerator from Lowe’s. The sales people told us to replace the push/pull valve.

We purchased new appliances from HD in 2017; our home was built in 2005. When ordering in the store they quizzed us about the existing valve and said it had to be upgraded before they would install the new refrigerator because (I don’t think) these push-pull valves are up to code today. At the moment I can’t recall if we had the plumber come and replace the same day, but earlier, than delivery or if we just ordered the new parts with the refrigerator and the delivery guys took care of it when they installed the refrigerator, but I know it had to be done. As we do improvements, we are working to upgrade all of the push-pull valves in the house.

Correct! It's a liability issue (even if the HD employee doesn't acknowledge that). HD will not take responsibility for water connections and possible leaks.

The plastic push-puil valves do not turn. You pull it out to close and push it in to open. I don't see any reason to replace one valve unless you replace all of them. You probably have about 10 push-pull valves in your house.

I respect that you are a licensed plumber!
However there is a prevision in the code that allows any plug in appliance that doesn't fall under the code which su*ks. Trust me it is a addendum, the big box stores has taken the position not to take the liability.

Home Depot doesn't have any employees who install appliances. They hire contractors who are not licensed plumbers. But, I think they should connect the water line to the refrigerator as part of the installation, otherwise they haven't installed the appliance. If they are concerned about liability, then they should hire licensed plumbers. If they are concerned about the plastic push-pull valves, then they should bring a metal valve to replace the plastic valve. A metal valve only costs a few dollars. I wouldn't buy a refrigerator from someone who is not prepared to install it.

You do not need a licensed plumber!
I believe this is a unfair ruling by DBPR and Legislation to licensed contractors

see attachment's

I think the plastic push-pull valve issue is somewhat overblown. Most houses in The Villages have about 10 of these valves. Yes, they are cheap, flimsy valves, but I have not heard of many serious water leaks caused by the valves. You can spend hundreds of dollars replacing them, but I don't think many people are concerned enough to do that. And, any valve you install could also cause a water leak.

Glad we are NOT in Canada, aka: NOT a licensed plumberd
 

Been doing my own plumbing for 30+ years with no issues.

Just follow the plumbing books or online tutorials and you'll be fine.

You'ld have to be really daft to poison yourself.