Shark Bite Plumbing Connectors.HELL YEA!

[Thogey]

Is anyone using this? I knew they had shark bite for PEX, but, today I did a 3/4 inch copper job that I was DREADING!.

Sterling helped a ton. He dug a hole about 18 inches wide and about 30 inches deep through caliche and roots.

OK so now you have a hole the narrow and deep. I had to cut out a section of copper pipe with 2 old valves and replace it with one frost free hydrant with drain.

Have you ever soldered a short piece of (old corroded copper) at the bottom of 18 x 30 INCH hole? I was dreading it . I did not want to dig a bigger hole.

A cramped shitty work area.

These Shark bite connectors are set for copper now. They make a baad ass slip fit for copper.

I'm looking to invest because this is the end of soldering copper plumbing.

A f-ing AWESOME product! Am I late to this?

[NHsorter]

I agree, they are awesome. Had a bunch in for 8 years now, and no problems. Almost trust them fully at this point.

[Kurr]

I love me some sharkbite!

[natsb88]

I've used a few. I know for certain that they were available in 2009. I think I used a couple in a 2007 project but can't remember for sure. They work for PEX, CPVC, and hard copper, which all have the same OD. Pricey, but a big labor saver, particularly in tight spots where soldering or crimping is a pain. Perfect for what you are describing. Or when you can't get the water totally off, since they can go on wet. I wouldn't plumb an entire house with them since they are 5+ times the cost, but they make a lot of sense in certain situations.

I've heard that some codes still do not allow them underground or behind drywall (not that I'd be too concerned about that working on my own stuff). I've also heard tales of them blowing off, but I'd venture a guess that has more to do with incorrect installation than the product. Or maybe a knock-off brand. I think the main concern is chlorinated water degrading the o-rings over time. If you use a lot of push-type fittings with o-rings and have chlorinated water it might be worth installing a 4.5" x 10" filter housing where the water comes in the house and throwing a carbon block in there to knock the chlorine level down.

[Treetop]

Interesting everyone mentions they are good for limited space. Ive used it before and didnt have any give in the pipe so couldnt get it to seat properly. I ended up having to use the standard types of glued fittings for that spot. A plumber I had working on a project that needed the water turned off at the main told me if I used it I should check the pipe every now and then because according to him some percentage of them will hold forever and some will leak or fail over time. Not sure if he was biased, or just saw people install improperly or what, but that was his opinion. Or maybe he just didnt like the idea of how easy they are to do since it is presumably cutting into how much work he can get. The ones I used never leaked at my old house.

[AdamsSamoa]

Never had a problem.... they have been around for years though....

[johnbrickner]

I don't do plumbing. Or I should say I avoid it like the plague. I find working under my kitchen sink about the worst thing I can imagine or have done in my life. I've done worse but my mind doesn't let me remember the details and I won't post the activity here. First I've heard of Shark Bite is from your post. If I'm lucky I'll never have the opportunity to have to use them the rest of my life.

[daviscfad]

They are nice, but i do womder the longevity of them, i know they have been around a while. The only time anyone should have a problem soldering is when water is in the pipe.. other than that it goes easy

[Thogey]

They are nice, but i do womder the longevity of them, i know they have been around a while. The only time anyone should have a problem soldering is when water is in the pipe.. other than that it goes easy

My problem was not water, it was at the bottom of a deep narrow hole. Past my elbows. It's hard to keep the flame lit, because it burns the oxygen out of the air in the hole.