Question for those who have used Shark Bite products.

[Tyrone Biggums]

They caught my eye at the Depot today and seem pretty slick, especially the push-to-connect products. I've done some soldering on plumbing before like shower valves, toilet valves, rerouting feed lines, etc., but I'll admit, as an over-thinker, it's not my favorite thing in the world to do. No matter how good it looks, I always worry about a potential leak in the future.

How fool proof are the push-to-connect products and would you use them on a shower valve with copper feed lines and no through-the-wall rear access?

Once the shower surround is up, there's no getting to it without busting open the wall of the room next to it.

[dblack1]

Of course you pressure up the valve before covering it up.

But, as a rental owner and thus a amateur plumber, I will say that I love them. The guy I went to high school with who also does my more serious/I don't have time to deal with plumbing uses them almost exclusively. He swears that the cost to the homeowner is less as it takes him less time, even though the fittings are high. I've got a shower done in the exact manner you are asking. Been that way for 6 years now.

I purchase them from a plumbing supply for substantially less if you know someone with an account.

[BradM]

I used them at the bar. One on the men's toilet got stomped and bent the pipe, it never leaked.

[talisman]

When I start talking about remodeling the master bath, remind me about this stuff, Jimmy.

[STANGGT40]

They caught my eye at the Depot today and seem pretty slick, especially the push-to-connect products. I've done some soldering on plumbing before like shower valves, toilet valves, rerouting feed lines, etc., but I'll admit, as an over-thinker, it's not my favorite thing in the world to do. No matter how good it looks, I always worry about a potential leak in the future.

How fool proof are the push-to-connect products and would you use them on a shower valve with copper feed lines and no through-the-wall rear access?

Once the shower surround is up, there's no getting to it without busting open the wall of the room next to it.

I'll start out by saying that I'm not a plumber, but I have done a lot of remodeling work on my own properties and, being in the construction industry all of my life, I have several very knowledgeable friends in the plumbing industry (mostly commercial). I've heard a few of them say that they wouldn't use them for anything permanent at all, but mostly the consensus seems to be that they would use them on accessible fittings or for temporary, which is what I prefer. I just don't feel comfortable putting them behind walls or underground. I've had several that spray with little movement...I'm sure that there are tons of folks that have had great luck, that's just my opinion.

[Redd]

They work good for what they are. Old school plumbers dont like them from what Ive seen.

They work just like the DOT push to connect fittings I use in my air ride set ups, the shark bite are just beefier version. Having straight clean cuts is key in using these push to connect fittings.

[mikec]

Posts five and six are on the button. Push them on a clean pipe, spin them back and forth, then put the pressure to them and wait on them to eventually leak.

Excellent as short term fixes, not reliable for long term.

[fordracing19]

I use the pex crimp fittings. Cheaper and you aren't relying on a spring and oring for it to seal.

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[Blackpony]

i worked in the plumbing dept at lowes for two years, and not once did i hear a complaint about them... never personally used them but had a bunch of customers that really liked them..

[petyweestraw]

Its what all houses will have eventually . My whole house is that stuff. Never a leak. Like mentioned above. Same type of thing in his air ride and my entire facility is plumbed at work with it for all our pneumatic Shit. If it will hold that much pressure then the what 20psi a house has will be fine

[Blackpony]

Its what all houses will have eventually . My whole house is that stuff. Never a leak. Like mentioned above. Same type of thing in his air ride and my entire facility is plumbed at work with it for all our pneumatic Shit. If it will hold that much pressure then the what 20psi a house has will be fine

most houses have at least 50 lbs of pressure.. mine has almost 70

[LANTIRN]

Used them when I used to install RO systems; had several other fittings leak, but never saw those leak.

[petyweestraw]

most houses have at least 50 lbs of pressure.. mine has almost 70

Yeah that was just a guess. Thanx. Now I know lol.

[mikec]

Doing a remodel on my bathroom now and am using the pex system. I really like that it is impervious to freezing, also it's a lot faster and easier than pvc.

[Tyrone Biggums]

Thanks for the info, guys. I appreciate it. All of this kind of makes me want to stick with soldering but I've got a good month to do some more research.