Highbeam
Well-known member
I have been using them for years. This is not a new relationship. They may not make it to 30 years but certainly no problem for a "few".
Sharkbite Fittings - permanent?
- Thread starter 70Chevy
- Start date
I have been using them for years. This is not a new relationship. They may not make it to 30 years but certainly no problem for a "few".
Came outside to see this wondrous display the other day. After much digging I discovered the water main looked as though it had been hit & partially dug up by something at some point in the past.
It had a pin hole leak, and after shutting off the water at the main, it still had some pressure and water flow, so soldering was out of the question unless I was going to dig up even more of my front yard.
I tried that plumbers epoxy putty but that didn't work, so a neighbour suggested using pex and sharkbites to patch it. What a simple installation, it was sooo easy it made me skeptical it would hold. I guess time will tell and if it does burst, it's only the front yard! lol
It had a pin hole leak, and after shutting off the water at the main, it still had some pressure and water flow, so soldering was out of the question unless I was going to dig up even more of my front yard.
I tried that plumbers epoxy putty but that didn't work, so a neighbour suggested using pex and sharkbites to patch it. What a simple installation, it was sooo easy it made me skeptical it would hold. I guess time will tell and if it does burst, it's only the front yard! lol
bw77
Well-known member
I used a sharkbite when I replaced the outside faucet coming through the rim joist. No problem for 2 years. Then, one very cold day this winter it started to leak. I had not shut off the water in the fall.
2 weeks ago it was warm again, so I uncoupled and re-installed the
sharkbite and there are no leaks.
I am planning to remove the sharkbite and solder in a coupling for peace of mind.
2 weeks ago it was warm again, so I uncoupled and re-installed the
sharkbite and there are no leaks.
I am planning to remove the sharkbite and solder in a coupling for peace of mind.
)mygarageone
Well-known member
Dispite my misgivings about shark bite stuff , I have learned to love them when your in a belly crawler crawl space. And everything is dripping with condensate and using a torch would be dangerous . Nothing like them at that point.
I remember when abs and PVC first came out , you should have heard the hollowing from the plumbers ( me included ). But guess what . It proved it's self and it's never going away despite some of it's inherent issues.
Change is inevitable , no sense fighting it , How many of you have heard of or ever used the T - Drill system ? That took a long time for engineers to accept it , yet it's a sound and proven system.
I remember when abs and PVC first came out , you should have heard the hollowing from the plumbers ( me included ). But guess what . It proved it's self and it's never going away despite some of it's inherent issues.
Change is inevitable , no sense fighting it , How many of you have heard of or ever used the T - Drill system ? That took a long time for engineers to accept it , yet it's a sound and proven system.
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vette66bob
Well-known member
I recently relocated my compressor to a location away from my work area. I needed to do it quickly; I had to go thru a block wall. My air system was done in copper 10-15 years ago with no problems. I used shark bites to get it done quickly. Now I have a slow leak and I need to shut the compressor valve off very night. As soon as I find the time I will replace the Shark Bite with cooper. My conclusion is it may work well with liquids but my experience suggests not with pressurized air.
truckman5000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2008
- Messages
- 1,440
I agree, Im a plumber.
I work with a remodel guy, that for sometime used shark bites to cap lines. Well one day one cap blew off. Then in turn flooded 4 condo's. So now he hires me, to "cap" lines.
The trick to them is common sense. If the pipe has no burs and is clean. Then fine. If the pipe is supported, with no movement. The shark bite is as good as a rubber. So 95% of the time a rubber is "good".
All of us know how rubbers work.
They say there approved for heating. Well i personally put one on a guys heating system (oil 210 deg. water) Because it was all i could get at 10 pm.
After a month the fitting leaked. Ruined his floor.
I was covered because i said it was temporary. He didnt want me to replace it after the weekend because there website said its ok..
I believe if, you have the piece of mind. DIY. Its ok with me, because a knowledgeable homeowner, will see a leak. And fix it accordingly.
If its a home were your not there. Would you trust it?
Would you put a compression coupling on your wifes car's brakes?
A 8 dollar fitting could cause allot of damage. Learn to sweat copper.
TractorJeff
Well-known member
I bought a couple of 18" flexible copper tubes at Lowes (claim is handy for Hot Water Tank change outs). I put them on a Shower valve where Hot and Cold got crossed on a faucet upgrade. Left the Wall open for 6 months, then screwed a sheet over it 6 months ago.
I have 50 year old lead soldered joints that are starting to come apart from corrosion and old age, where I will sweat in new solder.
But for now, the shark pipes will stay where they are!
EVEN THOUGHT THE MANUFACTURERS DOCUMENTATION SAYS "DO NOT PUT THESE IN A WALL!"
I have 50 year old lead soldered joints that are starting to come apart from corrosion and old age, where I will sweat in new solder.
But for now, the shark pipes will stay where they are!
EVEN THOUGHT THE MANUFACTURERS DOCUMENTATION SAYS "DO NOT PUT THESE IN A WALL!"
"Certified for underground and behind-the-wall installations, backed by a 25-year warranty."
http://www.sharkbite.com/how-to/sharkbite-push-fit-fittings-how-to-install-pex-tubing-copper-tubing-and-cpvc-tubing/
http://www.sharkbite.com/how-to/sharkbite-push-fit-fittings-how-to-install-pex-tubing-copper-tubing-and-cpvc-tubing/
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
Yep,theyre really ugly looking.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
I have used them for years. One of my buildings was converted from 100% electric to hot water heat. The entire system was done with Pro Press fittings. Get the real Pro Press brand, not the cheaper ones.
I haven't used the Pro Press stuff for black pipe.
Recently I had to add a T-stat for my 2nd floor radiators. My service company replaced a zone valve (yeah, I know, I could have done it myself, but it was free) and let too much air into the system. My loop has mono flow tees & after four unsuccessful days of trying to bleed the system, they installed an addition zone valve, capped off the old mono flow tee & repiped tthe copper up in the attic to make it a third zone with a series loop instead of the improper parallel loop that was originally there. They used pex to tie in in the boiler room and Shark Bites in the attic. I wasn't too sure about the Shark Bites (I'm still not) but there haven't been any leaks in 2 years...
Tommy
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Best response I've ever heard by someone in the trades on Sharkbite fittings.
Prior owner of older house (built in 1955) used sharkbites for waterpipe connections to copper for hot water heater. They're doing fine after 3 years. Those I can handle as out in open, but would NOT want them anywhere enclosed . . . . or "quick & easy" job by paid plumber when easy to sweat on proper fittings.
However, PriorOwner not so good on galvanized stub pipes on top of hot water heater that are completely full of brown minerals and anode rod totally covered with white **** . . . lime ?? This bad water or do I have electrolysis problem happening?? This is city water.
However, PriorOwner not so good on galvanized stub pipes on top of hot water heater that are completely full of brown minerals and anode rod totally covered with white **** . . . lime ?? This bad water or do I have electrolysis problem happening?? This is city water.
Any new updates on these? I'd like to use them to run from the copper coming up from the the floor to run at a 90 under the cabinet. Then up the inside of the wall and back into the cabinet's back wall about ten inches up to avoid the big pull out drawer. This is on the install of a new kitchen.
for me, that says it all. funny how so many people on here will be all up in arms about a compression fitting on a brake line but are all about progress and new technology when it comes to plumbing.
The next guy that buys my house is not going to have to worry about 25 year old fittings that may begin leaking. all copper. all done properly. I consider all of those things temporary. compression fittings, the brass, or PVC ones, sharkbite, etc. there is a time and place for it, just not in my house buried in my walls...
and as for pex, my first place was done with pex. at 21 yrs. old, I had to replace lines all over the kitchen when the crimps broke/corroded, etc. I know more modern Pex is better than the stuff when it first came out, but it was a royal PITA to fix, not to mention trying to replace faucets, add a dishwasher, etc.
I never understand why guys can't learn to solder copper properly. it is not hard. they taught us in 11th grade home ec class in HS...even the girls passed.
lazer50
Well-known member
Shark bite fittings are professional quality fittings.they can be used in confidence if installed properly.
mygarageone
Well-known member
No hidden installs for me , I have a house I winterize every yr. 4 yrs ago we installed a 1/2" pex coupling . This yr as we were pressurizing the system from the shut down it let loose.
After some research , we have found if there under constant pressure your good for yrs and yrs but when you relieve the pressure that when there subject to failure .
I still use the all the time but not in concealed areas.
After some research , we have found if there under constant pressure your good for yrs and yrs but when you relieve the pressure that when there subject to failure .
I still use the all the time but not in concealed areas.
gahrajmahal
Well-known member
I agree with all the professional plumbers about "the correct way is to use a soldered connection". And I too, a dummy home owner can accomplish a good soldered joint using new pipe and fittings prior to running water through it. Where I become a amateur with por workmanship is once the line is wet, or old, like changing a cracked frost faucet. No matter what tricks I attempt using, stuffing bread in the line, or leaving it overnight with the water off. I cannot achieve a consistently good soldered joint on pipes that are existing, or wet.
Since that is the case, and so far I haven't been able to hire a competent plumber, I just put blind faith in the shark bite product and with the exception of one time I could not prep the pipe correctly and I had to buy a second fitting.
To the pro's, and I really respect and admire your skills, how do you solder previously wet copper and or connect to old copper.
Since that is the case, and so far I haven't been able to hire a competent plumber, I just put blind faith in the shark bite product and with the exception of one time I could not prep the pipe correctly and I had to buy a second fitting.
To the pro's, and I really respect and admire your skills, how do you solder previously wet copper and or connect to old copper.
nut_buster2017
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2017
- Messages
- 35
I had been wondering about these for a while. A project at work presented itself as an opportunity to try them: upwards of 40 fittings in a secondary area where leaks would not be a problem; all joints visible. Installed the components, and two years later no problems.
With regards to pro plumbers, we have a contractor for whom two brothers work. One is for these, the other has his doubts. Go figure.
I tend to think these are a practical option.
With regards to pro plumbers, we have a contractor for whom two brothers work. One is for these, the other has his doubts. Go figure.
I tend to think these are a practical option.
rburke65
Well-known member
I used two 24" long 3/4" flex shark fittings when I installed my new water softener and used them again on a new water heater( never say "hot water" heater). I think 7 years and 4 years.....ok so far.
larry4406
Well-known member
Production home of mine, plumber used them on the master tub without my knowledge. The same plumber who said they only use them for temporary repairs, yet he installs these for permanent. Supply line leaks and damages the hardwood below.
I renovate my master bath recently and find sharkbites on the shower diverter adapting copper to pex to the diverter. We have owned the house almost 4 years now, no leaks, and who knows when they were installed. I took it out and went back with all copper.
So - I'm thinking it is like any other plumbing fitting where it comes down to the original workmanship at installation.
I renovate my master bath recently and find sharkbites on the shower diverter adapting copper to pex to the diverter. We have owned the house almost 4 years now, no leaks, and who knows when they were installed. I took it out and went back with all copper.
So - I'm thinking it is like any other plumbing fitting where it comes down to the original workmanship at installation.