Moving a saddle valve

[JoeyGee]

The saddle valve that feeds the water supply to my fridge ice maker is in a very akward spot. I suspect this valve is bad and/or clogged with something.

Since I need to replace it (for troubleshooting, anyway) I would like to move it about 3' "up river" so it's more easily accessible. How do I go about plugging the hole? I really don't want to have to cut it and solder in a coupler or something.

I'm sure they have to make a product for this. Does anyone know?

Also, does it make a difference how close it is to the water heater? I wouldn't think it would, I am just wondering why it's not in a more obvious spot, which is closer to the heater.

[Hoover]

Is the supply line copper or plastic? You should be able to pick up a water supply line kit from any hardware store or the borg. Install a union before the valve and plumb in new supply line. That should do the trick.

[Daryl]

I would cut it out and put in a coupler, or a union as Hoover suggests. You could fill the hole with a sheet metal screw and a rubber gasket, I would count on this leaking within a couple years tho.

[eezlock]

moving a saddle valve

If I were contemplating this, I think the best thing to do is first consult a
qualified licensed plumber and see what he says about it. The most likely idea
would be to cut off the water at the street or inlet water vave at the house,
disconnect the water line from the fridge and remove the valve, clean the spot where the saddle valve was mounted and solder it up. Then proceed to install new valve in another location, and test all areas that have been worked on, for leaks. eezlock

[just started]

If the existing valve is not leaking you can just leave it in place, turned off, and install a new one where you want it.

[gsmittle]

How about closing the old saddle valve, leave it in place, and install a new one in the new location?

g.

[Uncle Cracker]

A couple of other options to consider... The hole left by the piercing needle of the valve is usually a small one. You can probably solder it shut. Or, if the tubing leading to the fridge is small diameter copper, you can cut it off about 6" from the valve, then flatten it, solder the end shut, and double it back on itself a couple of times. Obviously, make sure any solder joints are cleaned to brite and fluxed properly.