On Jan 16, 2:37*pm, JIMMIE wrote:
On Jan 15, 10:26*pm, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
On Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:38:07 -0800 (PST), JIMMIE
wrote:
On Jan 15, 9:23*pm, "Smarty" wrote:

I am wondering whether there are any reasons to NOT use Sharkbite
push-fit plumbing fittings other than their relatively high cost?

Rather than sweat soldering, they seem like a really attractive and
very fast way to install copper plumbing without use of a torch or
solder. I am especially curious to know if they are holding up well,
and are as good as they appear on paper.

Any opinions would be most appreciated.

Compared to sweated fittings they are bulky and expensive and ease of
installation may range from not that much easier to a real PITA
compared to sweating copper.

Tell me a situation where a sharkbite is a PITA compared to sweating
copper. * * *

I only have 2 in my house in a spot where I didn't feel like sweating
a couple of joints because they were hard to get to & surrounded by
flammables. * * Haven't leaked yet- 3yrs or so.

They *are* expensive, they *are* bulky. * *But harder than sweating? I
don't see it.


Just didn't have room to fit them in as we both agree they are bulky.
You must think sweating Cu pipe is more difficult than I do. Fact is I
kind of enjoy doing it.

Your taking pleasure in sweating has nothing to do with the OP's
question and is entirely besides the fact. Your opinion that
installation may range from not that much easier to a real PITA
compared to sweating copper.
indicates you have never used them.

Sharkbite's are much faster than sweating, even if you're geared up to
sweat and have a bunch to do. A Sharkbite fitting takes about as much
time to install as cleaning a copper fitting joint. The ability to
use a Sharkbite fitting on copper, PEX or PVC, coupled with their ease
of installation, far outweighs the cost premium.

R