Sharkbite fittings on PB pipe

rjniles

I am in the process of replumbing my house to replace the PB that was here when I bought the house (I know, but I got it cheap!) with PEX. I have been doing it piece meal as I have time. As a result I have to connect PB to the PEX at times to keep the water on during my hiatus from the job. I also have to dead head (cap) the PB at times. I have been using PB / PEX couplings (copper color ring and black ring). I was wondering if Sharkbite caps and couplings would work? Easy to install and I could remove them and use them on th next section I work on. I have not seen any documents that say PB and sharkbites are compatable but the look like they should work. PB is the same size OD as PEX, copper tube and CPVC. Also I have noticed that Home Depot is carring a product called Gatorbite, I assume a knock-off on Sharkbite.

BTW, been here 3 years and have not had a single leak with the PB: Just taking precaution for the future and for resale value.

Anybody have thoughts or issues?

SD515

I haven't used 'sharkbite's but have used 'push-n-go'...I'm thinking they are probably similar. I've used them on pex and copper before, but not PB. I'll bet that if your PB & Pex are that same diameters they'll work. Try em...sounds like you'll just be using them temporarily??

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Kyle

Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should

kgphoto

Yes they will work. If you look at their display, it is a piece of PB, Copper and PEX.

Termite

Good info!

Gary Slusser

You can also use the gray plastic QEST compression fittings. Just tighten the nut until it squeals and stop. Very easy to reuse.

I don't know about using either on hot water though.

Plumberguy

In regards to using Shark Bite or Gator Bite fittings on PB piping. There is an insert that comes with these fittings. It is to strengthen the PEX PIPING. This insert will not work with PB piping as it is a larger inside diameter ands will not work. These fittings will in most probability leak on PB piping. Qest compression fittings will work on PB piping with adapters that will take you to standard IPS threads

kgphoto

Since Sharkbite warranties it product for 25 years, I expect it will work. I don't have any PB pipe to test it on. Did you test it, before you made your remark?

Plumberguy

Yes, I have tested them by usage. The insert that comes with these fittings is there to strengthen the pipe walls to allow for it to maintain a sealing serface that will stay firm against the O'ring seal. This insert is not suitable with PB Piping due to it being too small in diameter and the wall of the PB Piping will not stay firm against the O'ring seal and will most likely leak. PB Piping and PEX Piping are different on the inside diameter. PB Piping works the best with Qest type of compression fittings that are made expressly for this type of piping. I am a Plumber and have lived in a house with PB Piping for 22 years and have used these types of fittings over the years to do renovations. They work, Gators and Sharks don't as they are not made for this PB Piping but they do work well with Copper, CPVC, and PEX though.

kgphoto

Thank you for your information . I still don't know how the mfg could recommend them for this application if they don't work as you say. This is one of their salient marketing points for this product.

Next plumbing show I will ask their "boothies" to explain it to me. Fortunately, it is not a need I have come across in the this area.

Plumberguy

For your information. The Shark and Gator Push type of fittings say they will work with CPVC, Copper, and PEX only. The insert that comes wit them is for PEX only. The difference is in the inside diameter of the PEX versious PB Pipe. The PEX wall is thicker and the insert that comes with the fittings is designed for that inside diameter only. The inside diameter of PB is larger, thus the insert will not provide the additional rigidity to the wall of PB. The Qest type of fitting is a compression type but also has a toothed style of ring with it that makes it work by not allowing the compression ferrell to slip out as others would do. They are good fittings and a lot of plumbers do not like them as they allow for more home owners to do the repairs themselves I think.

hidden 1

I was told it is ok to leave the plastic insert in the sharkbite, with copper pipe( by manufacturer),-better seal...but a plumber says remove it.
.will you be able to use removal tool later on if needed without the plastic insert in it?

crockettplumber

Sharkbites work great on PB. I have used it serveral times. Of course the pipe will crack and fail before the sharkbite joint will. Best to get that all replaced if you don't like floods.

1. “If I had my life to live over again, I’d be a LINK REMOVED”
   - Albert Einstein

Lancecamper

I was doing some repair work on my camper today and I accidently (duh blind nailing with a palm nailer) drove a simpson nail into my pex water line. My only choice was to cut the line and do a connector. I am familiar with a barb connector with compression rings but since I did not have a tool to do the compression I was supprised to find the Gator bite fittings at Lowes. They were $6.00 and if they work I will be a happy camper. Since I have to cover up the repair, I will be very unhappy if this repair fails.

generic

Can shark/gator fittings be used with natural gas and propane?

rjniles

Not only no, but h*ll NO!

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