PEX Question

[foamer01]

Help out a dummy. Is there a difference in PEX and Sharkbite PEX? Thanks!

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I should have included what I was looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/SharkBite-U870...=pex+3/4+100

http://www.amazon.com/Watts-P-34-100...=pex+3/4+100

 

[rlitman]

Depends on what you are comparing. There is a difference between PEX-a, PEX-b, and PEX-c.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

The PEX you can get at Homer or Lowes is all the same regardless of brand. Red, Blue, or White it doesn't matter...

 

[Cryptic1911]

I'd skip the sharkbite style push fittings, and use real crimp fittings.. much more secure

 

[rlitman]

I'd skip the sharkbite style push fittings, and use real crimp fittings.. much more secure

Agreed. But it sounds like the Sharkbite brand is now being used to sell more than the fittings. They're probably selling PEX now too.

For the OP, I suggest you read up here:
http://www.pexinfo.com/

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

I'd skip the sharkbite style push fittings, and use real crimp fittings.. much more secure

Agreed. But it sounds like the Sharkbite brand is now being used to sell more than the fittings. They're probably selling PEX now too.

For the OP, I suggest you read up here:
http://www.pexinfo.com/

Shark Bite regular PEX tubing and regular crimp ring type fittings are being stocked at Home Depot. VERY MUCH AGREE Do not use the **** Shark bite push fittings at all with PEX. It will leak. I won't use them for anything because I guarantee my work and I don't want to come back to fix crappy fitting and anything the water may have damaged.

 

[foamer01]

I should have included what I was looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Y75QRM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BVS0EG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[SARG]

The Sharkbite fittings eventually leak....... the pex fittings don't.

 

[plumbstupid]

The answer to your question is no. It is same, they just stamp Sharkbite on it.

 

[redneckcharlie]

I don't post on here much, but one thing that is consistent is the misinformation.

 

[rlitman]

I don't post on here much, but one thing that is consistent is the misinformation.

Do you also prefer Dos Equis?

If you want to condemn the free advice given over the internet, why not actually point out what particular statements you believe to be incorrect?

 

[wedge40]

I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't come from the same factory.


Wedge

 

[darkk]

We plumbed our new addition with pex and used the Viega stainless steel crimp collars. I'm not so sure I would trust slip/bite fitting, but who knows...

 

[Highbeam]

I just bought and love the sharkbite brand copper crimp ring tool for 1/2" and 3/4" connections. The tool was less than 60$ at HD and allows me to use fittings that cost 1$ each instead of $6 each. In other words, it no longer makes financial sense to use sharkite push-on fittings when a standard fitting can do the job.

I have used push-on sharkites on hot and cold water plubming, pressure tested to 100 psi, and years later have had zero leaks. If you have leaky sharkbite push-ons then you may want to look at a problem other than the part.

 

[SMKS]

OFF TOPIC ALERT-
I hired a pro to do a plumbing job at our house not too long ago. It wasn't until a few days later that I realized he used a Sharkbite fitting on the job. I was not happy. If I wanted a Sharkbite I would have done the job myself. Heck, I could have done a better job using pex and crimp fittings.

Back on topic-
I've eyeballed the Sharkbite Pex at the local hardware store. It appears very similar to the other brands they sell, but of course that's just by looking at it. If memory serves, the Sharkbite brand pex at my local store is made in the USA.

 

[Oldbear]

I just bought and love the sharkbite brand copper crimp ring tool for 1/2" and 3/4" connections. The tool was less than 60$ at HD and allows me to use fittings that cost 1$ each instead of $6 each. In other words, it no longer makes financial sense to use sharkite push-on fittings when a standard fitting can do the job.

I have used push-on sharkites on hot and cold water plubming, pressure tested to 100 psi, and years later have had zero leaks. If you have leaky sharkbite push-ons then you may want to look at a problem other than the part.

Same here. I've used push on fittings in both water and air brake systems. If I have a leak it is most often a bad/crooked cut and not the fitting.

 

[rlitman]

I used half a dozen air brake push in fittings with my air horn in my car. In the past three years, I have had to replace each and every one due to leaks. The compression fittings that replaced them have not had any issues.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

Despite what the Shark Bite people say, these fittings only have a place as a TEMPORARY FIX IN AN EXPOSED AREA. They should not ever be buried in a wall. These fittings utilize a rubber o-ring that will only last 15 years in the absolute best environment. When used on a flexible pipe like PEX, they generally will piss a little water every time the pipe is bumped. The design is actually quite similar to the old Quest brand fittings and if you are old enough to remember those, you are probably wise enough to avoid Shark Bite fittings.

I know I'll get flamed for my comments but really, how hard is it to fix or build something the right way. Crimp ring PEX, sweat, and brazed copper will last for significantly longer than a push on fitting.

 

[Highbeam]

I know I'll get flamed for my comments but really, how hard is it to fix or build something the right way. Crimp ring PEX, sweat, and brazed copper will last for significantly longer than a push on fitting.

Whether or not they last any longer, proper crimp connections on pex are now the cheaper way to go. Add that to your list of rants against pex. The crimp tools used to be very expensive but not anymore.

You can also choose plastic or brass fittings under the crimp.

So I'm with you Tim on using crimp fittings. Not with you on the doom and gloom of properly installed sharkbite push ons. My experience doesn't match your predictions on this common and quality made part.

 

[woodrail]

I've had probably almost a hundred "push-on" fittings on various projects of mine. I tend to use Marinco, but know I've been buying Watts. These have gone in houses and Airstreams.

Let's just say that just like the high-end boats these fittings are used in, Airstreams tend to bounce around and get jarred going down the road.

I wouldn't be using them if I thought they would fail. Install them correctly, and they will work fine.

 

[rburke65]

Well if the Sharkbite fittings were that bad, one would think that they won't be around for long!

 

[7th Kahuna]

Apparently the Sharkbite fittings have been around in Europe for years. I have used a number of them without issue but I'm with Tim. In all but two instances, the fittings remain exposed. The two I sealed in a wall were in a tight location where I was more worried about catching something on fire than I was about a leak. If I can solder it or clamp it, I sleep better at night.

 

[7th Kahuna]

Sharkbite is a trade name of Cash Acme. Cash Acme sells a variety of plumbing parts. As the Sharkbite name has become more well know I suspect they are selling more items under that name. I was in a smaller chain home store a week or two ago and was surprised to see a whole display of Sharkbite plumbing fittings beyond the typical o-ring items.