shark bite connectors

Alan

I just wanted to throw this out there : One thread looks like you're having water heater issues, and the other looks like you're having problems with the hot side of your shower valve. Could they be related?

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crankbait09

ok so if im not mis-reading that. the copper pipe that is coming out of the water heater can connect to PEX as long as the Pex starts 18+" away?

Alan

Yes.

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crankbait09

ok, so allow me to ask a few more questions.

with this whole PEX thing. can you guys refer me to the plumbing code section and code # wher eI can find this information? I have never looked at a plumbing code book and think it will take me a lot longer than those who are very familiar with it.

also, does this 18" still apply even if the water heater is electric?

Next question. I had one of the department heads at HD (plumbing) tell me that he uses the shark bite connections that are used on that wire mesh type pipe. he used that to hook up his water heater rather than copper or PEX. how many code violations are there with that?

If you could refer me to the code section that will tell me everythign I need to know I'd appreciate it.

Alan

He's talking about one of these : http://www.cashacme.com/prod_sharkbite_flexhose.php


I would never use one, but that's just me. I don't think there are any code violations with it that I can think of.

I'm pretty sure the section referencing plastic piping within 18" of the water heater is in the water heater section which is much smaller than the others.

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crankbait09

I visited two places. one being HD's website and they actually have a specification sheet that shows the whole set up with that very line.

the second site i visited was the sharkbite website and they as well have photos of it being used.

if it were not a wise choice, why would they sell them? Does it all come down to the leaking factor? are they known to leak?

TarheelTerp

another attempt to give you a word to the wise:

Don't go to the people attempting to sell you something for information
(or at least for info beyond the specifics internal to their product)
Try to find a independent source.

This applies to just about everything.... not just plumbing parts.
---
if you poke around some you'll find very few positive words
regarding the knowledge, ability or even just common sense
from the sales staff at places like Home Depot.

Red Squirrel

I used shark bites for a small project, but I prefer crimp on connectors, they just feel more safe and it's cheaper to go that route if you need more than ~10 fittings for the project. The shark bites work fine though and I never actually heard any horror stories. It's a topic that comes up every now and then.

crankbait09

ok. thank you for the help.......

TheEplumber

Crank bait- do me a favor. When going through your plumbing training @ home depot. Ask your supervisor to show you the code compliant labels on the merchandise. I'm curious what you find.
As for pex at water heaters, I believe this applies only to UPC and it's any wh

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crankbait09

Eplumber - your response was cut off. It looks like you may have responded with a phone, perhaps?

I got the first part though. I will ask about the code compliant labels. I am back in the plumbing department Sunday.

TheEplumber

Nope, not cut off- just lazy grammer while texting😜
Wh was short for water heater.

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crankbait09

DOH!! my bad