How the heck do I splice a tee into a steel pipe?

[JackHammer]

OK I want to install a steel tee in the middle of this run of steel pipe. How do I go about doing it? THis is the wcold water line for my house. I need to tap into the line to run another line to go into my fridge. I know they sell these saddle tees at Home Depot but I want to install an inline filter and I'm worried that the frequend filter changes will cause the saddle tee to move and hence create a leak later on. I want to use a tee and I'm thinking about connecting the tee to the old pipe with some sort of couplings? Now the only way I can think of to do the tee is to cut the pipe, thread it and use some sort of unions to couple the tee to the existing pipe. Any other suggestions? Threading the pipe sounds like a hassle.

[johnnymk]

What are the diameters of the pipe and the line coming from the fridge?
Is the pipe steel or cast iron?

[sizemic1]

I vote for a plumber.
It'll probably cost you a couple hundred dollars..but at least you'll know it was done right..and i'm guessing a weekends worth of your time is probably worth more than a plumber would charge to do the job.

[JackHammer]

The fridge line is a plastic line with probably an OD of 1/4". The water line is steel maybe 1" diameter. I want to do this myself because it's fun. I want to learn how to do it too.

[hoey222]

you have steel water pipes?

i always thought they were copper, or pvc

sounds like black pipe??? thats what they use for natural gas...

you can buy threaded parts at most home depot like stores. they will also thread it for you if you need custom sizes. just get some pipe dope (teflon sealant) and a good pair of channel lock pliers. measure twice cut once.

[Yossarian]

cut, insert T joint.

[JackHammer]

Nah it's steel. Just like the gas pipe running adjacent to it.

How do I connect the T joint to the existing pipe? I've gotta thread the existing pipe right? Isn't that a bitch?

[blueindian]

Nah it's steel. Just like the gas pipe running adjacent to it.

How do I connect the T joint to the existing pipe? I've gotta thread the existing pipe right? Isn't that a bitch?

if it's steal you can sweat a joint into place i think.

[johnnymk]

How long is the pipe you want to tee into...threaded end to threaded end?
You could replace it with a PVC pipe with the proper adapters to the existing pipes. I am not sure if they make receivers for the 1/4" pipe, but it would seem likely that they do.

[JackHammer]

No sweating only works with copper.

The existing steel pipe is long and downstream there are other fittings and connections...(ie connections to the boiler, the sprinkler...etc.)

[swampfox]

OK, maybe a little help. You have galvanized pipe, usually 1/2" ID, used in older plumbing. It can not be 'sweated' only copper can. You can not use a saddle tee without predrilling the pipe. At a plumbing supply you can buy a better quality than sold at Home Depot that will give you better durability. I would just use an inline valvebtweeen the tee and the filter to cut the water on and off. You can usually put this close to the fridge or anywhere in the line. But cutting the pipe opens up a pretty significant project. If I can answer any questions........

[JackHammer]

I think I will take the easy route and tap into the water line from the underneath the kitchen sink where the line is copper. This means I have to pipe copper tubing behind cabinets and the stove to the fridge. I just got a 1/2" brass tee with compression fittings on all 3 sides and a tube cutter. I will cut the copper pipe underneath the kitchen sink and attach the tee with the compression fittings. Now, how much copper pipe do I need to cut out in order to hook up the tee using the compression fittings? Thanks guys for the help.

[sizemic1]

If you're just going under the sink I wouldn't even bother cutting any piping. I would just get a brass adapter that attaches to your sinks coldwater supply valve. That's what I did. It was a piece of cake.