How does everyone like shakrk bites?
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
Joined
·
1,671 Posts
I will always consider them a "compression fitting", which in many Codes, have limited usage in homes. The price is not that great, compared to normal compression fittings either.
I love them although I agree they are a little pricey.They are also not alloud in some areas or you have to make special set up to be able to use them on inside walls.I have been renovating this house for a couple years now but wanted to redo the water line first.Their have been many changes from the start so when I put the fitting in i had to make access panels to the conections or they wouldnt aprove them.Since many pipes had to be moved over time the panels werent such a bad thing after all and being able to reuse the fitting has saved alot of time and money so far no leakes either even when the heat went out in the dead of wither
Hoping for the best
I've decided to go with them as they are extraordinarily simple to apply and the cost isn't bad for this one-off project I'm doing. I asked the building inspector here in Indianapolis while he was checking my under-slab drainage if they would be okay to use inside finished walls. His response was that there isn't anything specifically against doing so. I've had some of these fittings under pressure for a month now and no leaks yet. I'm actually using them to replace some lines/ fittings that were soldered improperly. BTW, I'm no plumber, I'm a framer/remodeler doing my own work in the home where I live. Time will tell if sharkbites will hold up...
I've decided to go with them as they are extraordinarily simple to apply and the cost isn't bad for this one-off project I'm doing. I asked the building inspector here in Indianapolis while he was checking my under-slab drainage if they would be okay to use inside finished walls. His response was that there isn't anything specifically against doing so. I've had some of these fittings under pressure for a month now and no leaks yet. I'm actually using them to replace some lines/ fittings that were soldered improperly. BTW, I'm no plumber, I'm a framer/remodeler doing my own work in the home where I live. Time will tell if sharkbites will hold up...
Joined
·
8 Posts
when I got my new service van they had afiew cubbie holes filled with "sharkbite" fittings, at the time I was offended. I mean in 3 years I had not burned down any houses, and no floods, why don't they think I can solder. After using them, they definatly do have their place in my van, just don't think they can replace your B-tank.
Joined
·
15 Posts
I just used them repairing a 1" underground supply line. They're difficult to get in place when connecting two straight sections. Seems like you'd need to deflect the pipes a lot to get the coupling in. I ended up using one in a difficult to reach section, and a soldered connection on the other end.
I think they would be super useful for doing temporary repairs. Keeping a few couplings and some PEX on-hand could avoid most emergency calls to the plumber after hours.
Cost-wise, I wouldn't want to do a whole house with them.
I think they would be super useful for doing temporary repairs. Keeping a few couplings and some PEX on-hand could avoid most emergency calls to the plumber after hours.
Cost-wise, I wouldn't want to do a whole house with them.
Joined
·
6,521 Posts
Just to be clear here...
Sharkbites have ICC-ES approvals for use in burial and concealed locations from the International Code Council (IBC, IRC, IPC), which is the model code that is used in most places these days. Anyone (inspectors or otherwise) telling you that they cannot be concealed in a dwelling needs to do some more research. I believe that they have UPC approvals as well, but can't recall for sure.
I like them just fine and they do have their place, especially with DIYers. Would I plumb a whole house with them? Heck no. That would be crazy for cost reasons if nothing else. They do come in handy for quick repairs or for people that lack the experience or equipment to make more traditional connections.
One consideration that a lot of people fail to think of when using them to connect copper lines in lieu of soldering is that you've got to put a bonding jumper across them (in a lot of cases) since they're nonmetallic. The metal piping system of the house has to be electrically bonded in its entireity and using a Sharkbite interrupts that bonding continuity.
Sharkbites have ICC-ES approvals for use in burial and concealed locations from the International Code Council (IBC, IRC, IPC), which is the model code that is used in most places these days. Anyone (inspectors or otherwise) telling you that they cannot be concealed in a dwelling needs to do some more research. I believe that they have UPC approvals as well, but can't recall for sure.
I like them just fine and they do have their place, especially with DIYers. Would I plumb a whole house with them? Heck no. That would be crazy for cost reasons if nothing else. They do come in handy for quick repairs or for people that lack the experience or equipment to make more traditional connections.
One consideration that a lot of people fail to think of when using them to connect copper lines in lieu of soldering is that you've got to put a bonding jumper across them (in a lot of cases) since they're nonmetallic. The metal piping system of the house has to be electrically bonded in its entireity and using a Sharkbite interrupts that bonding continuity.
interesting point. glad i decided to learn to solder recently instead of using the sharkbites. i did buy a couple to temporarily terminate pipes. they were great for that.
Joined
·
15 Posts
They're UPC approved for concealed or underground applications.
For copper-to-copper couplings you can pull the teflon guide out in which case you shouldn't need a bonding jumper, theoretically. :001_unsure:
In practice, putting the bonding jumper on is easier than pulling the teflon out, and way easier than trying to convince the inspector you've got a metal to metal union in there.
For copper-to-copper couplings you can pull the teflon guide out in which case you shouldn't need a bonding jumper, theoretically. :001_unsure:
In practice, putting the bonding jumper on is easier than pulling the teflon out, and way easier than trying to convince the inspector you've got a metal to metal union in there.
Hi all, New to this forum. I'm a equipment mechanic for a living but LOVE doing plumbing on the side. Since most people HATE it I often find my services needed. It's a nice sideline. I'm not a pro but a competent amature I would say. I've can sweat copper no problem but working with old crappy pipe is a real challenge. I have used the new push style connectors recently and have mixed feelings about them. While fast, I don't think long term they will last because of the O-ring in them. Modern O-rings are made from some quality stuff no doubt but still fail in the automotive field and I would think that might be the case in plumbing.
That said, Sharkbites and their cousins DO have a place in old work plumbing. Old valves often don't seal 100% and getting the drip from a second story pipe to stop completely can take hours. I use them in this situation. I clean the pipes like I'm going to sweat them( Scotchbrite, emery cloth and them a wipe with tinning fluid). CLEAN and BURR free are essential. For me so far-so good. I won't use them in a closed wall or other (no see) location. They may be OK but I hate come backs. One thing I also don't like is mixing non metalic pipe with copper or brass connectors
because of the difference in rates of expansion between these materials.
The push in connectors come in plastic and I have used them with pex without problems. NEVER leave out the internal sleeve that comes with
fittings or you are inviting trouble. A lot of pro's trash talk these and you can't really blame them for protecting their craft but....... I once met an old plumber that HATED PVC pipe because it cut deeply into his Cast Iron business and would always say "plastic is for toys"........ We all know how well PVC and ABS have changed the plumbing trade. Plumbing like most anything else , works out well when you pay attention to the details. If you don't IT will bite you......like a shark.:thumbup:
That said, Sharkbites and their cousins DO have a place in old work plumbing. Old valves often don't seal 100% and getting the drip from a second story pipe to stop completely can take hours. I use them in this situation. I clean the pipes like I'm going to sweat them( Scotchbrite, emery cloth and them a wipe with tinning fluid). CLEAN and BURR free are essential. For me so far-so good. I won't use them in a closed wall or other (no see) location. They may be OK but I hate come backs. One thing I also don't like is mixing non metalic pipe with copper or brass connectors
because of the difference in rates of expansion between these materials.
The push in connectors come in plastic and I have used them with pex without problems. NEVER leave out the internal sleeve that comes with
fittings or you are inviting trouble. A lot of pro's trash talk these and you can't really blame them for protecting their craft but....... I once met an old plumber that HATED PVC pipe because it cut deeply into his Cast Iron business and would always say "plastic is for toys"........ We all know how well PVC and ABS have changed the plumbing trade. Plumbing like most anything else , works out well when you pay attention to the details. If you don't IT will bite you......like a shark.:thumbup:
Used them to install a new water heater after a "professional" plumber did a cob job sweating and destroying the water heater check valves which I had to replace. What is nice is you can break the seal with the special tool making the next water heater repair a snap and since they require no heat they are safe to use on a water heater.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
