Shark Bite fittings - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

tzzzz216 · 12-13-2006, 04:49 PM

I just started to use the shark bite fittings on some repair work , so far I haven't had any problems

with them ,(knock on wood ) Has anyone had any problems with them , and how do you like the product ?

The only easy day was yesterday !!

gitnerdun · 12-13-2006, 06:07 PM

so far so good

QWIKWHIP · 12-13-2006, 08:11 PM

If you guys like those you should try the Watts brand "sea-tech" fittings. They are plastic and work just as well for less than 1/2 the price.

osborn · 12-13-2006, 10:39 PM

Ive been using them for a year. I just hope They dont leak down the road. I put some in walls and ceilings.

tzzzz216 · 12-13-2006, 10:53 PM

I've used them in walls , shower valves and in 1 basement , they say their good for up to 180 psi , Before i install any i deburr the pipe then clean it with sand cloth.

mdshunk · 12-13-2006, 10:53 PM

That basic style of fitting is what tractor-trailers have used for the air brake lines for a very long time. It's proven technology.

osborn · 12-16-2006, 09:12 AM

I love them. They are costly but cheaper than a plumber. I roughed in a a laundry and bath in less than 2 hours.

plumber jay · 12-20-2006, 04:40 PM

Are sharkbite fittings good for kitec pipe.

QWIKWHIP · 12-20-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumber jay

Are sharkbite fittings good for kitec pipe.

Yes, they will work on Kitec. They work on all copper, pex, and pex-al-pex pipes.

Squench · 12-23-2006, 01:02 AM

I used them for the first time a while back, and the pipe was an underground repair on soft copper, and the pitting wouldn't allow it to seal proplerly. It dripped at first, then would SPRAY when I gave it a spin. I prefer to solder-weld all copper pipes. I hate them sharkys, but I used them once again yesterday, but I didn't like it!

Ron The Plumber · 12-23-2006, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squench

I used them for the first time a while back, and the pipe was an underground repair on soft copper, and the pitting wouldn't allow it to seal proplerly. It dripped at first, then would SPRAY when I gave it a spin. I prefer to solder-weld all copper pipes. I hate them sharkys, but I used them once again yesterday, but I didn't like it!

I don't think code allows them underground anyways.

Squench · 12-23-2006, 12:09 PM

From Cash Acme:
The SharkBite® Push-Fittings™ have been certified for underground applications and as a manufactured joint without access panels and they meet UPC, IPC and cUPC requirements.

Ron The Plumber · 12-23-2006, 12:14 PM

I did not look them up, I was only guessing at it, took them as a union type of fitting.

Now that I think about them, one can plumb there entire house using them, meaning they can be covered, so it will make sense. I don't use them myself. I adapt to pex when ever possible.

claude o · 12-26-2006, 04:33 PM

I tookthe certification class on the watts pex tubing and have used the stuff only a hand full of times , most of my builders dont want it in there high end homes maybe someday they will, my only concern is why is it only under warranty for such a short period of time?? I think it says that most of the fittings and valves are only a 2 year warranty!!
that scares me alittle bit, when i know copper will be there for decades!! its proven.

smellslike$tome · 12-31-2006, 09:07 PM

It seems that in my area not very many plumbing companies want to work on mobile homes, at least the mobile home owners tell me that they have a hard time getting anyone to come out. I am assuming this is because nearly all of the mobile homes I see still have polybutylene pipe. I personally would not buy another set of crimp tools or carry any PB fittings on my truck (I don't have enough space already) or want to have any liability associated with PB pipe. This may be the same thinking of others, I don't know. However, shark bite fittings are just the ticket in this situation! The HO gets what they want (and that is usually just a patch rather than a full re-pipe which is what they really need) and I don't have to be responsible for extra tools, fittings, or liability associated with PB! I'm not sure whether shark bites are rated for PB pipe or not but they work great in this application and if they should fail there is no property damage since I will only use them under the mobile home. If the leak is above the floor then I will transition to pex underneath and eleminate all PB in that particular line. They work great for me and the HOs are really happy to be able to get their problem fixed (at least until the PB fails somewhere else) and it makes me happy because I don't have to feel any guilt for refusing service to someone just because they have crappy pipe that I don't want to work on. It also makes me happy because it's very profitable.

plumbingdr · 05-15-2009, 02:04 PM

no problems yet either - been using them for a couple years and leak-free. (sharkbiteplumbing.com)

joelv1967 · 05-18-2009, 12:41 AM

Been using them on plastic and copper for a couple of years (since home depot start carrying them), never had a call-back yet.

mgd · 11-07-2009, 07:18 PM

Has anyone had issues with pipes turning while trying to tighten say a tub spout? If so, how did you solve it? Other than that, I swear by them.

**ChrWright** · 11-07-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgd

Has anyone had issues with pipes turning while trying to tighten say a tub spout? If so, how did you solve it? Other than that, I swear by them.

I'm guessing you're referring to using a shark elbow for the drop to a tub/shower valve?

Are you a remodeler? Plumber? Handman?

An introduction and more detailed profile would help.

lopreste · 11-13-2009, 07:01 PM

Expensive but a real time saver. Haven't had one leak yet that was connected properly