Both the plastic and copper tubing may be used interchangably and as long the diameter and length remain the same there will be no change in volume or pressure.

Check to make sure the valve at the source of the line is fully open then check to make sure there are no kinks in the line.

You say, "The problem is the new line isn't providing enough water pressure, so ice cubes are smaller and getting stuck. This is causing blockages and making temperatures fluctuate." But IÂm not sure these are a single issue.

It sounds like you have a second problem, in the refrigeration section, especially a stuck defrost timer switch.

If the line was worked-on, it is highly likely that a particle of contaminant was dislodged and found itÂs way into the refrigerator. You can remove the line from the Âbox and test that it flows water before the connection.

It will then go to the water valve which supplies both the icemaker and the cup filler. This is an electro-mechanical valve. It operates on demand from an electrical switch. It has a tiny orifice in it, which is both a water inlet and mode switcher: ON/OFF.

This is the most likely place for a particle to lodge and drive you nuts. It can be an expensive part to replace. I have opened and cleaned a good many of them: in clothes washers, dishwashers and refrigerators.

A handy person can easily do this, since the valves are typically made in two pieces, one electrical and the other a plastic body assembled with screws.

Pinoke

>Is there a standard spec that copper is required or are they using this new "plastic tubing"

"Plastic" tubing (e.g. 'PEX') is becoming more and more common, mainly due to its relative ease of installation (read "cheaper" for the contractor).

But one real benefit is its corrosion resistance. This is especially important if you're using a Reverse Osmosis filtration system ahead of your icemaker/cooler. Water (often called the Universal Solvent) seeks to dissolve 'stuff' into itself, thereby making a more stable solution. R.O. water has had a large percentage of this stuff (measured as Total Dissolved Solids) removed from it. The lower the TDS, the "hungrier" the water is, and the more aggressively it will attack and corrode metal pipes.

One potential drawback (and the jury seems to still be out on this) is that PEX may require periodic sterilization, whereas copper is a natural deterrent to the growth of bacteria.

> But one real benefit is its corrosion resistance. This is especially important if you're using a Reverse Osmosis filtration system ahead of your icemaker/cooler. Water (often called the Universal Solvent) seeks to dissolve 'stuff' into itself, thereby making a more stable solution. R.O. water has had a large percentage of this stuff (measured as Total Dissolved Solids) removed from it. The lower the TDS, the "hungrier" the water is, and the more aggressively it will attack and corrode metal pipes.

So, if you use a PEX water line from your R.O. filtration system to your icemaker, wouldn't the water attack the icemaker, since presumably that would be the first metal that the water would encounter?

Is there any way to safely use water from a R.O. system with an icemaker?

I recently remodeled our kitchen also, and my contractor did the same thing- despite clear instructions on my new refrigerator to only use copper tubing. I assumed the copper tubing requirement was for pressure, but PEX should present the same pressure.
HOWEVER, my brand new refrigerator has bad tasting water and ice. We have a new filter in, also, and so there is no definable explanation for the bad taste, other than perhaps the PEX. I have read that PEX should not affect taste or odor, however, I read above that bacteria growth may be an issue with PEX, which makes me wonder if that is what I am tasting. Any other ideas? Why does the install instructions require copper tubing?

"But one real benefit is its corrosion resistance. This is especially important if you're using a Reverse Osmosis filtration system ahead of your icemaker/cooler. Water (often called the Universal Solvent) seeks to dissolve 'stuff' into itself, thereby making a more stable solution. R.O. water has had a large percentage of this stuff (measured as Total Dissolved Solids) removed from it. The lower the TDS, the "hungrier" the water is, and the more aggressively it will attack and corrode metal pipes."

IÂm sorry, but this is incorrect. ItÂs true that water with lower TDS has greater capacity for accepting dissolved material, but metal pipes are insoluble as a practical matter. Corrosion is not a process of dissolution, but rather a chemical reaction that occurs when metal in contact with water oxidizes (rusts). Dissolved ionic species (salts) accelerate the corrosion reaction because they facilitate the transfer of electrons that occurs. RO water, having very low ionic strength, would tend to retard corrosion, when compared to untreated water.

I have to agree with airqual guy. RO water has TDS and ionic species removed, rendering it "inert". That is why RO water is the treatment choice of pharmaceutical and electronics manufacturers worldwide. Using RO water in metal pipes will NOT accelerate corrosion, but prevent it.

I don't trust the use of plastic tubing in the application of a icemaker. Reason: Most consumers will periodically pull out that unit and clean underneath. This sometimes will stress the connections where the plastic tubing connects both to the water supply AND the solenoid valve to the icemaker.

I use the stainless braided icemaker supplies from Fluidmaster heavily; gives you all the flexibility you can get out of plastic, the protection of the braided stainless of the tubing inside of it, and the solid brass connections at both ends with solid crimps. Even though I condone the use of soft copper, I don't like it for icemakers because of the constant issue of them leaking at the connections because of movement.

On those plastic supply lines? Those snap off without warning when they've been subjected to being heated and cooled 1000's of times from being in the heat of the back of that fridge, then the incoming cold temperature that feeds from the main. That process makes plastic hard, yellow, brittle.

One potential drawback (and the jury seems to still be out on this) is that PEX may require periodic sterilization, whereas copper is a natural deterrent to the growth of bacteria.

The jury isn't out on this ... it's just that no one bothers to check the facts.

This myth about PEX and bacteria growth traces back to preliminary report from a study comparing bacteria growth in different materials. This report came out a year into the study and showed, yes, copper has the smallest amount of bacteria growth.

However, the study continued for another two years.

In the end, it showed that PEX and copper had about the same amount of bacteria growth (if anything, the data showed PEX with slightly less growth than in copper).

The data recorded growth of bacteria from nothing to X in all materials (I can't remember the exact value of X). The only difference was how long it took to get to X, and even than only varied by a few months (14 vs 18 months, IIRC).

The theory is that copper does retard growth, but does not prevent it. Once the inside of the pipe is coated with bacteria, any "antiseptic" quality of the copper is neutralized and bacteria will grow just as well in it as any other material.

"I recently remodeled our kitchen also, and my contractor did the same thing- despite clear instructions on my new refrigerator to only use copper tubing. I assumed the copper tubing requirement was for pressure, but PEX should present the same pressure.
HOWEVER, my brand new refrigerator has bad tasting water and ice. We have a new filter in, also, and so there is no definable explanation for the bad taste, other than perhaps the PEX. I have read that PEX should not affect taste or odor, however, I read above that bacteria growth may be an issue with PEX, which makes me wonder if that is what I am tasting. Any other ideas? Why does the install instructions require copper tubing?"
You should replace that pex line with copper. I would be interested in knowing if your water taste any different. I better start reading the instructions on new refrigerators for the specs on that line :)