DIYbanter - View Single Post - Experiences with, opinions on "Shark Bite" pipe fittings?

Red Green

wrote in news:hjgte69dpuod818gt2li4c4o45vrss1394@
4ax.com:

On Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:50:52 -0800 (PST), brassplyer
wrote:

I needed to replace an outside spigot, was hoping for find one that
used a compression fitting, the guy at Home Depot was trying to sell
me on these Shark Bite pipe fittings.

Seeing that the crucial interface pieces appeared to be some kind of
PVC and an O-ring I was leery, wondering what the long term
dependability of it would be compared to time-tested compression
fittings or soldered joints. "Quick and easy" doesn't inspire trust.
Okay, it works for now, but how's it going to hold up 5, 10, 15 years
from now? You obviously don't want it degrading and springing a leak
inside a wall, perhaps undetected for an extended period while it
causes water damage.

Any experiences or opinions?
I've used a few in places where soldering or compression fittings
would have been extremely difficult if not impossible. So far no
problems, but tney are not 20 years old yet, either.
Personally I don't like compression fittings. My experience is they
"always" leak. Very, very little, but enough that after a few years
there is green-white corrosion / mineral deposit all around them.

Whenever possible, on copper plumbing, I solder.
As for springing a leak inside a wall, copper pipe has been known to
do that too. So has galvanized iron pipe.

Guess I'll have to give Sharkbites a try some day. Seems the majority of
experiences from this group and external are positive. Problem is I'm to
frikkin cheap to try them. Besides, how can Sharkbites replace being a
real man with a torch and melting metel :-)