This sharkbite system looks pretty easy to do. I’ve got all old Galvanized steel pipe that’s corroding on the inside…and out. Anyone have experience with this? Work well? Leak? Easy to install?
I actually am replacing all my lines in 2 weeks with CPVC lines. My incoming water lines in the basement are all galvanized, but when they cross up to the 1st and 2nd floor, they change to copper and those connections are all corroded and some are slow drips. I have my friend coming in to do this job with me and is a licensed plumber. The hose is fairly inexpensive ($60-70 for 100’ of 3/4") and the fittings are only a couple bucks a piece. I decided not to go with pex for how expensive it was and this was much more durable than a standard pvc 3/4" line.
I’ve heard they work great, but you have galvanized steel plumbing? I’ve only seen them for copper, but haven’t really looked I guess.
They’re easy to install. You just push the tube into the fitting. Seals on an o-ring, metal teeth hold it in place. You’ll need to buy the special tool if you need to disconnect a fitting.
I use it… and I do say I love it… when we moved into our house, the basement bathroom was leaking water from the pipes (pvc pipes). I replaced the pvc pipes with copper and used the sharkbites… To this day - no leaks or nothing.
FYI - I sweated the pipes behind the drywall, as I was skeptical in using this system… I did however use the sharkbites as caps when doing the water for my toilet, shower and sink.
Same concept as a pressure washer nozzle…
Yeah, I need to find a plumber to assist me I think.
Maybe steel is the wrong material? It’s the old pipe that rots out though. Right now I just want to replace one section that might be 8-10’ long. I’m thinking of using the PVC pipe as well over the pex line. It seems like all I’d have to do is buy the fittings that screw into the existing pipes, purchase a long PVC pipe and snap it in…I know very little with plumbing so I could be wrong.
i used them in my cabin when we redid the bathroom. Worked awesome getting from the mud room where the water heater is to the bathroom. They have held up great for 2 years now even with the temp dropping below Zero.
If it is a pressure line (incoming), you want to go with CPVC over standard PVC or you could use Pex, but it’s more $$$. The nice part about CPVC is that it is somewhat flexible so you can run it in spots where you can curve it and you have one less fitting. Obviously you can’t make a 90 degree with it in a tight spot, but it is nice in some spots.
Fry, what I think he is trying to say is that he wants to replace the galvanized steel with different pipe using sharkbite fittings. My opinion on them is that they are nice for small projects. (ie replacing you shower fittings.) If you were doing a whole basement like mine, it gets pricey.
Very easy to use, never had a leak but DAAAAMN is it expensive.
I only use the caps as temporary to shut down the line and make my repairs allowing the owner to still use water in the house (if they dont have a shut off valve)
this might be a stupid question but do you just buy any old PVC/CPVC pipe and throw it in there? or is there special ones for the sharkbite stuff? I’m looking on HD’s site and I only see the fittings.
I think Sharkbite fittings are meant for copper. I could be wrong though…if you go with 3/4" CPVC for your mains and then you can reduce to 1/2" off the mains if you want to save a few bucks. I ran 3/4" throughout everywhere and just used a reduced fitting at my 1/2" copper lines. I would just use standard PCVC fittings instead of Sharkbite if you are going to go that route. If you are using copper, then you can use standard fittings and sweat them on or use the Sharkbite.
edit- I retract my statement, they do work on CPVC.
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1/2 in. Sharkbite fitting- $6.79
1/2 in. compression fitting for CPVC- $2.81
You don’t want to use a standard PVC line if it is a pressured line. You want PCVC or Pex. PVC should really only be used for drainage pipes.
Noted. I just watched the video on there site. It’s pretty fool proof it seems. I might try replacing the section of pipe that needs it and see how that goes. I’m guessing it’d be under $20 for the whole thing, I think it’s 1/2" pipe.
Sorry for my rambling, I should have asked how much you were replacing. If you need a plumber, let me know. It is my gf’s brother. He works for a Commercial plumbing business who works in large scale apartment renovations, schools and large businesses. The kid scored the highest on his test for the union or anyone who had taken it recently. He knows his stuff.
i use them in a pinch but would never put one where i couldn’t see it. being that it depends on an o-ring i just don’t trust it hidden in a wall some place.
Nope plenty of useful info for a plumbing noob. If your friend is willing to help on the side, I might take him up on it if I really fuck things up.
This will be in my unfinished basement below the studs…pretty accessible.
Why didn’t you ask me about this? Let me stop by Thursday evening.
Sounds good thanks man! I’ll get the coffee ready.
You can bring that laptop if you want too.
You don’t need the special tool to release it. You can do it with a crescent wrench.
im not a fan of sharkbite.
i prefer the propress style.
when checking up on progress in the field i see that most contractors prefer to use the propress over the sharkbite style…
you do need a special crimping tool for propress.
we use sharkbites all the time. especially if it’s in a line that just had water in it because you will never be able to solder it correctly with water constantly coming down. also nice in tight situations where using a torch may be a problem.they are easy, but yes they are expensive. haven’t had any problems yet.
as far as i know, sharkbites wont work on galvanized, however im pretty sure you can just use a threaded copper fitting if you can thread it to the galvanized and then sharkbite your connection.
you can just pop it off with any tool pretty much, but the 2dollar tool does make it easier.
i would just use pex everything though. it will be a lot cheaper for you. 10ft of 1/2" is ~16$ for copper. 10ft of pex is like a quarter and some pocket lint
Had 1QIKZ stop over and give me the low down on PEX systems last night. They are a shitload cheaper than Sharkbite and about as easy to install. 100’ of PEX is around $27 and the fittings are about a buck a piece. He mentioned the best way to fix my galvanized problem was basically to delete it all. Set up a sister system and swing everything over at a later time. PEX is also rated at a max of 200PSI where CPVC is around half that. You’re also not depending on a ball and joint type connection to hold pipe together, where the PEX stuff is clamped and crimped down. Since I’ve got a bunch of money in HD giftcards I think I’m going to stop over there and get what I need and begin setting this up. I’m don’t consider myself a “handyman” at all, but this I think I can handle. I’ll post pictures as I go to show my progress…or failure. Thanks again to 1QIKZ for showing me the ropes with PEX.