How to Install a Saddle Valve (Plumbing Tutorial) 

Thank you for the compliment! I am probably too old to have a future in radio.

🤣🤣🤣😢🤣

Thank you for your comment.

you're not supposed to drill. it has a spike on there. the valve itself will pierce the pvc pipe. you install it with the spike out, then close the valve to push the spike in. when you retract it, water will flow.

@@Sean_y4k2l5 You're totally correct about pvc pipe, but older homes have galvanized pipe - and that totally needs to be drilled. Rigid copper pipe will also need to be drilled

@@jonathanformhals4304 thanks jonathan. I just did this and I'm finding the flow is probably less than it could be. i will probably go back in there and drill it. this valve kinda sucks. a sink-like shutoff valve in 1/4" would be better, but i'm in Costa Rica where certain parts are not available.

You can't use these with steel pipes. They are designed to work with copper pipes, but will also work fine with cpvc and pvc.

+lalo Miranda Where is it leaking from? If it is from the stem, you may be able to just tighten the nut at the top. If it is from the base, you may be able to just change the rubber gasket. You can also replace the entire thing. Just make sure that you align where the new saddle valve pierces the pipe with the old hole!

replace the goofy saddle valve with a real one. Think about it. Look at how it works. It will fail time and time again.

If I understand you correctly, it sounds like the nut at the top of your saddle valve may be loose. If that's not it, perhaps the valve is defective.

There should always be a gasket with these. I would not feel comfortable installing one that claims to not need a gasket.

That's a different approach that will also work. It's not nearly as easy for DIY.

@@stockvalues saddle valves are not allowed under most plumbing code because they are almost guaranteed to leek eventually. If you can't do it the proper way, you shouldn't be doing it at all.

@@shawandrew Why do manufacturers of plumbing parts even make products that don't meet plumbing codes? Is there not an equivalent of UL for plumbing, like there is for electrical, that would stop such a product from even existing in the first place? How do accordion traps and saddle valves ever get approved for manufacture?

@@carultch thanks for the question. I am not a plumber and learned what I did from replacing a saddle valve and seeking information from those more informed on RU-vid. From what I can tell, the rules in plumbing are more like industry standards that affect the liability for the plumber. They don't really affect DIYers (do it yourself - ers) at all, and obviously you can do whatever you want to your own home, though it might affect the home inspection when selling it or risk damage to your property. Manufacturers also know that there is a niche for DIYers who would rather do something in a way that doesn't require as much skill or training, and whether you agree or disagree with this level of government regulation, there are not strict regulations against some plumbing products which plumbers would be liable for using. I'd also add that some of these standards might not be universal across all states or all over the world. I saw accordion style traps on Urinals in a Ukraine men's bathroom. The bathroom also always smelled like piss and had a sign with a visual telling men not to piss on the floor lol.

Can you shut these off?

How tf do you figure lol

No he doesnt, you need to watch more movies

The piercing needle is inside the valve. If your eisting one leaks in the open position, you can shut it off and if it doesn't leak in the closed position add another one next to it. If you try to just replace it, you are likely to pierce a new hole or enlarge the old one, which will create a big mess - don't do it! You may be able to find a valve without the 1/4" line, but don't expect a large price diffrence.

@@stockvalues Ok, could I replace just that part(the valve with the needle in it? because thats the one that has the ferrel in it(internals)....thanks....

@@z06ix it really depends on where the leak is and under what conditions it leaks. If the leak is feom the top of the valve, your best solution may be to tighten that nut. You may also try repacking under that nut. Replacing is not likely to work, especially if the replacement is not a perfect match. If the leak is where the saddle valve attaches to the host pipe, replacement is even more likely to cause additional problems.

Yes, you can, in theory. In practice, it's not something you want to do often.

Sorry about that, the installation in this video attaches a copper water line with a brass compression bead already installed and so does not use that flare insert that comes in the package. The next video in this series (about the refrigerator water line replacement) shows you how the flare insert could be used in an installation with a plastic water line.

+Jake Berzon (stockvalues) Don't use plastic copper line either use copper......guaranteed leak withing a 5 year time hope you are home to shut off water valve.

+golo5000 I bet more people have leaks from copper lines breaking after repeated movement of their refrigerator then with the proper plastic lines, but to each their own!

Jake Berzon Hopefully we don't regularly move our refrigerator, lets just do that with our car. The whole faulty, lines are plastic(nothing proper about it) , talk to a proper plumber and he will give you stats on how many house calls on proper plastic lines.

Of course there is a gasket. It's the black rubbery thing that the needle of the saddle valve penetrates through and that hugs around the pipe.

If my current saddle valve is leaking and I just want to replace it with another valve in the same spot without poking a new hold into my copper pipe is that doable?

Yes, it's absolutely doable and definitely the way to go. If it5 is leaking from the stem - you may not even have to replace it - just tighten the stem. If it is leaking from the interface with the pipe, it is a bit more challenging to get it aligned properly, but still doable.

That pin goes inside the saddle valve. It first pierces the pipe that the saddle valve is mounted to and then opens and closes the valve as you turn the handle. Normally it comes already inserted into the valve an is not separately serviceable.

+Aricu Nono With these valves, you don't really have to do it, but it is always a good idea to shut off water when you work on plumbing, just in case, if for no other reason! Hot water is what is required for the humidifier connection. You would use cold water for the refrigerator connection, of course.

Thank you, I ended up shutting off the water and releasing the pressure in the system. I did go with Cold water.

Yes, just like that, as you turn that handle, the needlepoint pierces the pipe.

no they're not the BEST option but they can work if done right. just watch them. everything is liable to leak at some point.

I've used them in the past with no issues.

It may be possible to fix. By description alone, I can't tell. I would try replacing the gasket and if that didn't work, replacing it. If the symptoms persisted after that, it may mean that the piercing has gotten too fig over time and through much mechanical action closing and opening the valve. In that case, the only things you can really do is replace it with a different valve type in the same location, or add another saddle valve down the pipe.

Saddle valves do tend to have these problems. A Tee style fitting might work better. There are different kinds including push connect and soldered fittings. The channel Got2lrearn has a lot of good information on alternatives if you decide to go with an alternative to saddle valves.

Not necessarily, but it is no longer code for new installations just about anywhere in the US, so I would not recommend it.

You cannot open a saddle valve too much - it's no different in this respect from other valves. If the water is not coming out, it is probably because the valve is not fully open or sediment is blocking it.

Steve Gajewski Most saddle valve you find are self piercing. you need the correct one. the correct one you need will require you drill a 1/4 hole in the pipe, all refrigerator ice maker's are metered for 1/4 inch water supply from the factory. the self piercing valve will not allow proper water fill. nor will plastic tubing. copper tubing is the best and correct tubing. I have been a repair technician for 51 years.

Chuck Cooper My video sows how to install a self-piercing saddle valve. They are by far easier to install and are used almost exclusively to attach humidifiers and refrigerators these days. I have never had any problems using them.

@@stockvalues yeah but he cant rape people in the ass on overcharge if too many people know that! The reason he thinks saddle valves are a "problem"

This video was made in 2013. The UPC staretd prohibiting saddle valves with their 2018 update. Please keep in mind that it takes years for most jurisdictions to adopt UPC updates.

Some valves you turn back more than others and usually it is at least half way back. As soon as you have sufficient water flow, you can stop turning it back.

Nicholas Staufenbiel.

This tutorial only shows you how to attach a saddle valve. If you are interested in how to attach the supply line that goes between it and an appliance, please check out this tutorial, instead: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KvBu3Z3bmtM.html

There is really not much to demo here. It's the valve, the clamp, and the gasket.

@@stockvalues there are about 7 pieces in a saddle valve packet. If you're doing a "how to" on installing a saddle valve you have to walk through each part, ehat the part is for and how those parts work in relation to one another. Then, of course, you show this step by step in the video to get a legit how-to video. Assume your audience has no idea how to perform the task at hand.

@@charleswalker6109 I am not sure that one aize fits all is the best approach for turorials. That's why there ate soany of them out there and each one has its own audience

You don't have to turn off water supply when installing them. Obviously, if you ever want to remove one, you will need to turn off the water, remove the saddle vale and repair the piercing by silver soldering or otherwise repair it.

I would not say, "banned" and not necessarily by states, but it is true that saddle valves are no longer code based on the most recent revisions in most localities throughout the US and I would no longer recommend a new installation.

This statement is incorrect. The correct version of it would go something like this: "Saddle valves may not be appropriate/approved for some applications and pipe types and some local jurisdictions may have adopted plumbing codes that prohibit their use in certain cases."

Jake Berzon thank you but i don't really need you to sweeten and soften it. it is dumb and it is stupid using a saddle valve, regardless of what codes say. codes follow reason and if a plumber is using it just because it is convenient for him that doesnt mean that customer should be misled that this is still the dumbest thing you can put on your pipes. Any other suggestions for spelling and grammar improvements?

You know what they say about opinions?.. Exactly! Everybody has one. You think it is stupid and dumb to use piercing saddle valves and millions of people have used them without problems. Can't wait to hear what you think about Sharkbites!

Dude, I am not sharing an opinion but a scientifically proven fact. I don't think it is stupid and dumb to use one. I know for a fact to be stupid and dumb. How do you know exactly that millions of people used them without any problem? Did you do a statistical survey? I doubt that. You are one of those guys you're speaking about - with plenty of opinion and zero factual experience. My factual experience states that every time you install a piercing saddle valve on a hot water line, in 4 years it will be corroded in such a way that it either will leak or will be completely blocked. I am still waiting for you to show me which code allows usage of saddle valves, but I guess it's just like your opinion - you think it is so, but whether it actually is so, well, that's another matter.

For your information, my friend, codes can just as easily forbid certain usages, as they can allow others. What this means is that in a lot of cases, whatever is not forbidden, is allowed! Also, I do not have to be the one collecting statistics in order to use them. And BTW, I am sorry about your negative experience with saddle valves.

What little pieces?

@@stockvalues, that came with it....

@@EseanB can you please take a picture of the little pieces that are giving you trouble? There may be parts included in the package that are not needed in your specific situation. In any case, at this point these devices are no longer code just about everywhere in the US.

+Handyjack I am sure that they can fail just like every other valve and every other man-made gadget, for that matter. If they start going bad (decades after being installed), you will probably see them dripping from the stem. I have never seen one that has failed catastrophically and this is how virtually every humidifier and refrigerator is hooked up to a water supply in this country.

+Handyjack They leak some son a bitch is selling it to make profit, there should be a lawsuit against this type of valve that makes a hole in your tube. Every one, a that includes plumber had one word to describe it. PROBLEM...FULL STOP.....PROBLEM....

+golo5000 Like I have said before, these are no worse than any other valve and they are what is commonly used. If you feel like inventing a different solution fro the application - go right ahead!

Jake Berzon No invention needed don't touch any valve that makes a hole in your pipe, what a piece of shit invention..

On the other hand well done on the instructional video, these video are always welcome....I thank-you for the time and effort on tutorials.(Not your fault valves are what they are)

Hey fuck you luis why don’t you make a better tutorial you fuckin muppet

@@jakehartung3655 hahahahahaha your a tuff guy huh talking crap on a txt lol smh I’ll disfigure your face if you would talk to me like that in person chump lol your the type that hits females your ugly kids to feel like a real macho huh?hahahahaha okay puxxy ✌🏼😈lol too funny

You can call a saddle valve a tap, or whatever else you like and make unfounded claims, as you like, but that doesn't make them so. I have had multiple of these valves operating for decades in houses I have owned and none of them have ever failed. Can they fail, of course, like any other valve. If they are illegal in your state or jurisdiction, please don't use them. They are perfectly legal where I live.

@@stockvalues What is unfounded with my statement? Also what municipality are you claiming that they are legal to be used in?

I installed one some 20 years ago..it's still working

Please try turning up the volume. I can hear the audio loud and clear!