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07-15-2012, 05:08 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 119
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shark bite connectors
I have an existing water heater that will son be replaced. The existing water heater has copper lines running off of it.
I was thinking of using shark bite connectors along with the flex tubing to connect to the existing copper supply lines.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...&storeId=10051
has anyone used this procedure rather than the standard soldering method?
I'd love to AVOID soldering all together but figured I'd get the opinions first.
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07-15-2012, 05:31 PM
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#2
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MarginallyQualified
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Winston-Salem NC
Posts: 2,546
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shark bite connectors
Quote:
Originally Posted by crankbait09
The existing water heater has copper lines running off of it.
I'd love to AVOID soldering all together but figured I'd get the opinions first.
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If you don't already know how to solder pipe & fittings...
this would be a great opportunity to remedy that shortcoming.
Get some help and learn a new skill.
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07-15-2012, 07:13 PM
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#3
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Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 24
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shark bite connectors
Those fittings work great.Used many of them over the years.
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07-15-2012, 07:28 PM
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#4
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call me E
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Idaho
Posts: 3,859
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shark bite connectors
Quote:
Originally Posted by TarheelTerp
If you don't already know how to solder pipe & fittings...
this would be a great opportunity to remedy that shortcoming.
Get some help and learn a new skill.
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The dark side of me hopes sharkbites start to fail soon like PB piping did. Then plumbers will have job security for a while longer 
__________________
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07-15-2012, 07:49 PM
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#5
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Persona Non Grata
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
Posts: 1,416
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shark bite connectors
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheEplumber
The dark side of me hopes sharkbites start to fail soon like PB piping did. Then plumbers will have job security for a while longer |
Welcome to the dark side. 
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07-15-2012, 07:50 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 119
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shark bite connectors
tarheel - I have actually soldered ONCE this past spring. Had to replace a busted copper line in the garage from a piece of ice bustingout the side a number of years ago. I broke down and attempted to solder. Oh, it worked with no problems but it looked like crapola!!!!!
I work at Home Depot and I am starting to cross train within a few departments. Plumbing being one of them.
Today was my first day of plumbing training and I was introduced to the shark bite/PEX route compared to the soldering route.................I was happier than a pig in mud!!!
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07-15-2012, 07:55 PM
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#7
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MarginallyQualified
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Winston-Salem NC
Posts: 2,546
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shark bite connectors
Quote:
Originally Posted by crankbait09
I have actually soldered ONCE this past spring.
Oh, it worked with no problems but it looked like crapola!
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Did it leak?
The next attempt should be better. Keep trying.
Sharkbites have a place. An example of that place is at 2AM with water filling the basement and a corroded over valve that won't close.
They should NOT be used for planned work.
Plan your work. Do it right.
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07-15-2012, 08:12 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 119
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shark bite connectors
nope, no leaks but visually it looks like it was done by a drunk plumber
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07-16-2012, 01:47 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 118
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shark bite connectors
I used shark bite to connect the copper pipe to pex pipe while doing remodeling. It's been 1.5 years so far and no problem at all.
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07-16-2012, 08:24 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 119
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shark bite connectors
OK, so far, for the most part, I'm hearing nothing but positive about these pex/SB connectors.
If these PEX/SB connectors work VERY WELL, why can they not be used instead of copper piping for the water heater? What am I misunderstanding?
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07-16-2012, 09:51 AM
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#11
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MarginallyQualified
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Winston-Salem NC
Posts: 2,546
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shark bite connectors
Quote:
Originally Posted by crankbait09
If these PEX/SB connectors work VERY WELL, why can they not be used instead of copper piping for the water heater? What am I misunderstanding?
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No one is saying that they won't work.
I have two in my own basement right now.
What is being said is twofold:
a) learn the proper skill
b) use that skill at the proper time
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07-16-2012, 09:55 AM
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#12
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call me E
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Idaho
Posts: 3,859
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shark bite connectors
The UPC does not allow pex to be connected to a water heater. Has to be 18 or 24" away-can't remember which
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When posting in forums, letting us know your location will help others give better feedback/advice/solutions to your questions
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07-16-2012, 09:59 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 119
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shark bite connectors
ahhh, the code.
I will post some pictures as well as dimensions and i will get a confirmed "don't do it" or "go ahead" 
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07-16-2012, 10:21 AM
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#14
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Doing it myself
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Crescent City, CA
Posts: 3,422
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shark bite connectors
Quote:
Originally Posted by crankbait09
nope, no leaks but visually it looks like it was done by a drunk plumber
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If I was a sober plumber, i'd take offense at that...
wait...   
__________________
Journeyman Plumber
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07-16-2012, 10:21 AM
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#15
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Doing it myself
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Crescent City, CA
Posts: 3,422
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shark bite connectors
Quote:
Originally Posted by theeplumber
the upc does not allow pex to be connected to a water heater. Has to be 18 or 24" away-can't remember which
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18" .
__________________
Journeyman Plumber
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