Sharkbite fitting

ErnieD

Member
I need to install a sharkbite fitting in what will be concealed work. I am concerned about the long term reliability
of the o ring seals. Anyone have experience with sharkbites?
 
You didnt say what you were connecting I assume Pex? I haven't used that many of them because I have a crimper set but the times I have used them I found if they don't leak right at the get go they generally don't start leaking later.
 
Ernie,
I had a slab leak last year in the 3/4" copper line coming from the water supply line under the garage. I decided to hire a real plumber to help me fix it, and I'm glad I did. We rerouted the incoming line to a different location in the house, and I got an education in pex pipe and its fittings. I have since bought a crimper and done some modification on my own. I try to avoid sweating copper wherever possible. The real plumber I hired would discourage the use of shark-bite fittings in concealed plumbing. I think I would too, but I have concealed sweat joints in copper lines that were installed twenty years ago and developed leaks because I have a circulating hot water system. The circulator pumps run most of the time, vibrating the water lines. When I go into the walls to repair them, I use Quest fittings(plastic compression fittings that are no longer sold in stores). I would not be afraid to use shark-bite fittings, though.
Butch
 
I have used a few of them in our house, with no problems, very handy for connecting dissimilar types of tubing, we have pex, copper and cpvc. the end of the tubing needs to be free of burrs, clean and wet when installing. We used to use many of a similar fitting in an industrial application and we had some problems with leaks, but this was air, and on robotic arms where there was movement at the fitting.
 

I have a friend whos 20 year old house if full of sharkbite fittings on copper. I was surprised, but no leaks yet. Also no p-trap on the kitchen sink. But no bad smells?????Maybe p-trap in slab?
 
I have several - mostly on Pex lines which circulate from my outdoor wood furnace into the heat exchangers to my hot water heater, and furnace. No problems so far. I did install a couple in concealed work, but ironically there was a leak in that same area done by a "professional" plumber that I only found because I was going to install a different tub. My opinion.....all plumbing is prone to leak at joints, even if done by a supposed professional. With that said, I fee fairly comfortable about the Sharkbite type fittings (made by a few different manufacturers with different names for them). That leak I located was in a ceiling (drop type ceiling with the grid and was recommended by my general contractor so that I could easily access if plumbing work was needed) below a bathroom. After the repair I placed one of the large aluminum baking type pans below the area figuring I would hear the dripping if a leak did happen after the repair. I went back and rechecked later, and no leaks, but decided to leave the pan in place as somewhat of a safeguard as tubs, showers, etc are prone to leaks, especially on the drains. I was thankful the contractor recommended the drop ceiling as it made for an easy repair, and I simply had to replace one of the tiles. Ironically the leak that did occur was just above the stack of extra tiles stored in the ceiling, so I lost a few due to water damage. I prefer a drywall type ceiling, but where you have hidden wiring or plumbing in a ceiling or above a basement, it is really nice to be able to drop out some tiles and work without having to repair drywall and sooner or later you will need to be into it.
 
My daughter made a repair on 5/8" rigid copper line going to her washing machine about 2 years ago using a Sharkbite fitting. It let let loose on one end this past January and I replaced it for her using a conventional compression union. Ferrules slipped on OK so don't think the line was starting to freeze - possibly she just didn't get it snug to begin with . . .
 
Butch, I was always told the same thing about copper sweat fittings, if it holds for 30 seconds, it will hold forever. NOT TRUE. My house was built in 62, and in the last couple of years, I have had 2 sweat joints fail. Slow drip, but still a failure. Luckily they were in the basement. Maybe calcium and iron did them in. As far as shark bite fittings, I hope they don't have a 30 year life expectancy like I read somewhere, because I have a ton of them behind the drywall on my son's bathroom! Time will tell.
 
I am old school, believe in sweat copper. Doing a basement remodel and one joint ends up in a difficult location and I doubt I will be able to sweat the old to new copper extension with any probability of success.
 
I use these at work with great success. Mainly on copper air lines, but occasionally they are used on eyewash supply lines (potable). That said, my friend built his garage with them and every winter, he drains his lines. In the spring, he has to reconnect all the lines due to the connectors pulling apart. However some of my air lines are exposed to the elements, but they remain charged all year so....

Your results may vary,
Aaron
 
At work on Kitchen equipment some of the air lines for a bagger have them. They are very small like 5/16 air hose. Last a long time with tons of abuse. Finely break from connect-apart-connect-apart etc. Follow what the others have said about clean and no burrs.
 
(quoted from post at 00:43:36 03/27/15) I need to install a sharkbite fitting in what will be concealed work. I am concerned about the long term reliability
of the o ring seals. Anyone have experience with sharkbites?

I've used them on lines that are in walls, and have had zero problems. A local guy does hot water heater installations only, and he uses them on all his installations. I have used the cheaper gator bites, but they did leak. I pulled the gator bite fitting off, put a Sharkbite on, and no leak. So I stay with the Sharkbites.
 
This is what it says on their website "F-61 and ASSE 1061 product standard for use in potable water and hydronic heating water distribution.
Approved to be used underground and behind walls without access panels."
I put 2 of them in a wall in my house.

http://www.sharkbite.com/product-category/push-fit/
 
They "seal" with a rubber "O" ring. Sooner or L8r a rubber "O" ring is gonna get brittle/fail/leak.

As may a properly soldered copper fitting. But I'm gonna bet on the soldered copper fitting for longevity. YAMMV!
 
I don't use them. I think mainly it is because I can't bring myself to spend the money they cost. I do everything in PEX and use a crimper on them. They have always held just fine. It just seems like whatever makes them magically work would make them magically leak later on. I will stay with my PEX elbows and unions.
 
It's strange you mentioned that, Ernie. In my latest project, I had several sweat copper fittings to install into an existing line. Every sweat joint onto old lines leaked, while every joint in new lines held nicely. I replaced the sweat fittings with Quest fittings to tie in the old lines.
Butch
 
I have two buried Sharkbite fittings and one behind a wall. THe buried fittings are where I transition from the PVC water line to the PEX in both the sewing room and the shop. Both were old construction under a concrete slab and running the PVC into the building was just not going to work. The fitting behind the wall is on the same line out of the hole in the slab where there is a tee for the sink and toilet. So far after over five years no problems with any of them.
 
I am a maintenance director for a retirement community and I have been using shark bite fitting since they first became available. Have yet to have one leak. Not even the cheaper knock offs have leaked. I feel they are very safe and reliable. Some plumbers will tell you they do not trust them. I have been told the mistake most make that causes leaks is not cleaning the pipe just as if you were going to solder it, this ensures a good seal. They have my vote of confidence for sure. Just my 2 pennies.
 

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