The supply line has been replaced. However knife-like cuts along the lenth of the tubing develop. The cuts are only about an inch long. Even the line that cam with the refrigerator developed a knife-like inch long slit. Why does this happen? After a repair by removing the section, the line is OK for a time. However a leak will develop at some point. Why does this happen?

Is the material old ? Bursting from excess pressure ? What type of material is this ?

Could you start at the beginning?

What is your house water pressure?

The latest is the tubing that came with the refrigerator which is no more than 4 years old. I have well water. The water goes through a sediment filter, a water softener, and a UV light. In the case of the water going to the refrigerator, the water goes through another filter before heading to the refrigerator. The water pressure is 40 - 60 psi. The tubing for the supply was bought at the local ACE hardware store no more than 3 years ago. It is the standard 1/4 inch flexible clear plastic tubing.

The incident before was in the tubing I bought from ACE. The two incidents are about 8 months apart.

Is that tubing in an area that sees BIG temperature swings? Mostly in the HOT direction? Such as behind a refrigerator that doesn't have sufficient airflow.

Hi Nwpaules

Platic refrigerator tube does this all the time in my area... may be due to the severe temperature changes to water in our area, or it is more likely that the plastic tube degrades over time and develops these "knife like cuts". No matter what causes it, the only real solution is to run all new 1/4" compression COPPER refrigerator tubing from a copper pipe to the 'fridge. If the tubing that came with the 'fridge also developed a slit like cut, I'd remove as much as I could and replace with copper tubing as mentioned... be sure to use the correct compression insert for plastic to copper tube transition. I would also discuss this with the 'fridge manufacturer... should not happen to their tubing!

Mark

I have always used soft copper tubing , I just don't trust plastic like that when its starts getting older. Personal preference. I'm not a plumber like these guys. Firm believer in Murphy's law.

NW,
We prefer to use braided stainless steel tubing for icemaker connections. These flexible connectors come in lengths from 60 to 120 inches and are equipped with solid brass or stainless compression nuts at each end. They are resistant to most water condition issues, will flex without breaking under elevated water temperatures & pressure, and will not degrade when subject to high ambient air temps often found behind / under residential refridgerators and near the units compressor.

Water condition/ softening equipment that uses a chlorine generator as part of the backwash cycle can produce elevated levels of chlorine that will react adversely with many types of plastic tubing or washers; I suggest testing your water suppply ...............

It sounds to me like either faulty material or tubing damaged during installation

Milo