How to fix leaking copper line to fridge?

  • Plumbing
  • Thread starter tirelessphoenix
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    Copper
In summary, to fix a leaking copper line to a fridge, first turn off the water supply and unplug the fridge. Locate the leak, which may involve checking for corrosion or pinholes in the copper line. Clean the area around the leak, then use a pipe cutter to remove the damaged section if necessary. You can either solder a new copper fitting onto the line or use a compression fitting for a quicker repair. Finally, reconnect the water supply, check for leaks, and plug the fridge back in.
  • #1
tirelessphoenix
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TL;DR Summary
does anyone know how to fix this? its the copper line that goes to the fridge and it leaks from the junction where the arrows point. I tried to unplug piece labeled as "A" but it just rotates, cannot be detached. I know how to cut the copper pipe, but what the piece 'A" is called?
any suggestions on how to fix the leak welcomed. Thank you.
d.
waterline.jpg
 
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  • #2
Why not bring your photo to a plumbing supply store and see if they can explain the part and how it works?

Maybe even Home Depot or Lowes, although it's hard to find someone there who can actually help with more obscure things.
 
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  • #3
It's a garden hose bib. The same kind that is on a washing machine. You likely need a new rubber washer.
 
  • #4
First undo the two nuts on the copper tube. Hold the narrow one on the left while unscrewing the one on the right closest to the copper tube. That appears to be a compression fitting, with an olive on the copper tube.
Then you can turn the larger fitting to unscrew it from the body.
 
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  • #5
It looks to me like the fitting adapts a compression fitting to the hose bib.
 
  • #6
the two nuts on the copper tube cannot be unscrewed. I tried.
 
  • #7
the two nuts cannot be unscrewed. I tried...
 
  • #9
thank you. this 3/4 brass will fit the copper line and stop the leak? I just need to cut the copper pipe, right? thank you
 
  • #10
tirelessphoenix said:
thank you. this 3/4 brass will fit the copper line and stop the leak? I just need to cut the copper pipe, right? thank you
Your OP picture seems to show that the brass olive wrapping the copper pipe is damaged or missing.

Not sure what is the source of the leak.
It could be the plastic fitting as well.

It could also be a simple case of forced misalignment of the fittings due to some force or moment that is being accidentally transferred to them.

brass-everbilt-brass-fittings-801789-64_300.jpg
71PwCd1P1LL.jpg
 
  • #11
tirelessphoenix said:
I just need to cut the copper pipe, right? thank you
For a clean cut, be sure to use a Tubing Cutter. A hacksaw will leave a rough end and metal chips in the tubing - and potentially on the mating surfaces causing another leak.

Cheers,
Tom

p.s. Please let us know how the repair turns out.
 
  • #12
One of my pet peeves. Maybe I can improve the world:
Compression fittings (like the tube fitting in the picture) are consumable. Every time that they are tightened, the flared ferrule receiver 'stretches' a bit more - a little extra nut rotation is required to achieve the same 'seal' at the ferrule. The nut gets closer to the fitting on every re-make. The nut in the picture has been fully consumed - no travel remains. It's probable that the leak was at the hose bib (rubber washer), but someone kept tightening the compression fitting (anyway).
 
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