Danco 10742X HammerStop Technology Ice Maker Connector Hose, Grey

Price: About $14.
Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours
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Reviewer: Mark Lamendola

The refrigerator was my last holdout in replacing all polyflow tubing and copper water lines (that go to appliances, faucets, and toilets) with braided steel lines. I've valved all those lines, too. Oddly enough, the refrigerator was the first to get valved and the last to get braided. In this case, it's not a braided steel line (though it looks like one). It's a braided polymer line. Actually, it's made from a product called "Engineered Polymer."

Note: You cannot use just any braided steel line for a refrigerator. You must use one specifically designed for use with potable water (e.g., ice-makers) or dishwashers. These are supposed to be lead-free, and that's the reason. Always check and then double check the packaging to make sure. And, yes, this Danco unit is lead-free but I didn't actually need to check that once much less twice because it's polymer so lead would not be used as it might be with a metallic construction.

I wasn't very sure what engineered polymer was, so looked that up. Here's what the inventors said in their patent application: "Improved flexibility increased resistivity to internal pressure and rupture, simplified manufacturing methods, decreased manufacturing costs, decreased weight, and increased resistance to corrosion."

What they didn't say was that it does better with heat, and from my research that appears to be its weakness versus steel. Unless you are running hot water to your ice-maker, this is not a factor. The line that was in place had been used in two homes over 21 years and was simply "poly-flo" tubing. Engineered polymer is much tougher than poly flow tubing, so no worries.

I was going to just pick up a 6 foot braided steel dishwasher line at the hardware store. As you may have guessed, I obtained this rather than going to the hardware store. I saw this in Amazon Vine and not only was it braided, it contained a water hammer preventer.

This comes in a plastic bag that has a large white label on the back. The label provides installation instructions and maintenance instructions.

As for the installation, like most any guy I install first and read directions later. Whew, I did the job right! That was made easy by the big, "you can't mess me" directional flow arrow on the "muffler" of this thing. I did know to look for it, as such a device has to be directional. A big tip when working with compression connectors: do not overtighten them. That destroys the ferrule that makes the seal. Just hand tight and a quarter turn (after you firmly insert the line into the fitting). When connecting or assembling any sort of tubing, use the exact wrench rather than an adjustable one. Never use pliers!

The instructions don't exactly say to make a "movement loop" in the line, but that is standard practice for flexible lines used with appliances.

As for maintenance, what's involved? Well, if you do the required maintenance on your refrigerator, you pull it out every few months and clean whatever you can in back. What I normally do is aim the refrigerator at the open patio door in the kitchen and use the vacuum cleaner blower  to blow any dust out of the coils. I also gently wipe the fan blades with a cloth. But before I do that, I check the ice-maker line at each end. Danco says to inspect this every six months, but why not inspect it every time you pull out the refrigerator for its maintenance?

When I'm done checking and cleaning things, what next? I clean the floor with vinegar and a soft cloth, then roll the refrigerator back.

The instructions say to replace every 5 years. Most likely, that timeline is based on the expected corrosion of the unit. Depending upon your water's characteristics, this time may be less or more (in my opinion). If you've had to replace quite a few toilet tank units and water faucets in your home, I recommend subtracting a year from that time just to be safe. Make an Outlook calendar appointment and/or put a big tag on there with the replacement date.

I did the tag method, because that works for me pretty well. For other things, too--when I set out ant killer baits, I write the date on each one so I can replace the old ones if I start getting ants in the house. The tag method will not work if you are not also doing the required maintenance on your refrigerator and thus seeing the tag. To make a tag, I use the same method I use when tagging all of my computer (and related) power and data cords. I keep yellow phasing tape to mark things with. Just write on one half of a long strip, then fold the strip over (sticky to sticky) around the cord.

I didn't have a big water hammer problem previously, now I don't have one at all. Sweet.