The Plumbing Page (2nd Plumbing post in 24 hours) Shark Bite Fittings

[TheGuildedAge]

My wife discovered another drip this morning. I have about 4 pipes I am going to need to redo before the basement drop ceiling goes in. I also will probably put in a new bathtub drain into the sewer line. That will probably be plastic with some fernco fittings.

I'm not trying to take the easy way out, but a few people have said I should switch to PEX tubing and sharkbite fittings.

I have the know-how and equipment to solder, but am wondering if any of you have used the shark bites with success. I have 18 joints to solder.

So let me have it, pros and cons of shark bites. I am actually looking at watts brand, but you get the idea.

[Pedro Bogus]

The only negative about shark fittings is the cost. VERY expensive.

Price the fittings, lines etc to change over. Then compare to the cost of copper. I say if you can solder good, do it. I much prefer the welded joint over the shark and only in extreme cases would I convert from copper to pex

[andrekp]

Sorry I don't have anything helpful, but I just have to say that I stared at your title for about 20 seconds - wondering the entire time what plumbing had to do with Jimmy Page, and why he'd be doing it, and further confused what sharks might have to do with it...seriously I did.

Then I remembered I was in the pub and my brain cleared.

Thanks for the chuckle... Good luck with your problem. I'm sure someone here, more awake than I, will have the info you seek.

[Ricman]

Any type of compression fitting can leak eventually, so it is not a good idea to use them behind a permanent wall. In your case, above a drop ceiling, it can work. I still would prefer a soldered fitting.

[doctorx]

I had my house replumbed a couple of years ago and asked about PEX. The guy said he'd do it if I wanted to, but PVC was just as good and a helluva lot cheaper. Very satisfied with his work and PVC, not a dribble since it was installed.

[Blueswede]

If you feel confident on your soldering abilities, I'd go that route. Lot cheaper than the Shark Bite fittings. Now if I was to build a house, I'd go with Pex, as it's much quieter and a pretty easy install....

[tjmicsak]

The benefit of pex and shark bite fittings is when you are doing a ton of installs so that time saving more than returns on the investment. However, those fittings also use o ring seals. In my years I have seen many more bad o rings than bad old solder joints. The same with copper Pro Press fittings. But again, when solder is a problem because of poor shut off or the work area won't allow hot work, those choices are awesome.
If you have the time to do the work, that ROI benefit is not part of the equation.

[Mike9]

When it comes to water I prefer a soldered (sweat) over any other. For doing a main down drain I prefer black iron for the quiet factor. For a regular P trap schedule 40 is fine. With PEX you'll need to rent the tools as they are very expensive to buy and considering the trial and error factor it's probably best left to a pro.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vide...631516,00.html

[GuitslingerTim]

You don't have to use sharkbite fittings with PEX, you can also buy the crimp on rings and the tool to install them, but by the time you buy the tools it might cost as much as the sharkbites. The good thing about shark bites is they are easy to use, easy to remove, and require no torch that can cause a fire. You need to purchase a tubing or pipe cutter for a clean straight cut to use shark bites.

PEX is superior to copper in almost every way; it bends easily by hand, will not corrode, and will not break if it freezes.

[TheGuildedAge]

I ended up going old school copper fittings. Cost was the deciding factor. I have one joint I am worried about that's close to the wood, but I may assembly it in the garage and solder everything there except two joints.

[GuitslingerTim]

Originally Posted by Mike9

When it comes to water I prefer a soldered (sweat) over any other. For doing a main down drain I prefer black iron for the quiet factor. For a regular P trap schedule 40 is fine. With PEX you'll need to rent the tools as they are very expensive to buy and considering the trial and error factor it's probably best left to a pro.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/vide...631516,00.html

The 1/2" tool at Lowe's is $60; a universal tool for all sizes is $89. Considering the sharkbite fittings cost around $10 apiece, investing in a tool is not that cost prohibitive.

[Baloney]

I have three shark bite fittings in my house and they are all holding up well. They are used on copper tubing. I sell hundreds of these things where I work and NO ONE has complained. They make shark bite fittings for copper and plastic pipe. We sell both.