How long will Sharkbite connectors last?
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- čas přidán 23. 01. 2019
- The answer is, not as long as you expect them to.
Check out my video and comment below how old do you think this installation is.
BTW - I never use Shark Bite type connectors inside walls.
I only use them for emergency patches to be remedied as soon as reasonably possible.
You have failed to answer the question in the title that was reiterated in the first 5 seconds. You have misrepresented the brand of the connector. It is not a Sharkbite as can clearly be seen by the material on the connecter. You have failed to mention that actual Sharkbites have a 25 year warranty. You have misrepresented the fact that real Sharkbites (maybe the top connectore in your video) are designed to spin, while you indicated it is failing because it is spinning. That is certainly false. I hope others are not misled by this video. All plumbing can fail if not installed correctly, if using knock-offs, if put in a corrosive environment, etc -including copper. There could be many reasons for that failure, and it may have nothing to do with the connector itself.
Thank you for this information. Shark Bite gets a lot of flack from plumbers because replacing leaks and complaining about how and any previous job done was the factor. Shark Bite fittings are as reliable as the person installing them.
Well said.
Sharkbite is the homeowner version of pro-press.
unfortunately he was found dead
@@wileecoyote5749 Killed by a school of sharks?
It is not a "failure" of SB fitting. It was not pushed all the way in to begin with. It looks like original plumber installed upper piece of copper pipe first, and cut the bottom part about 1/2" shorter, then tried to push it in all the way - but also to match existing spout hole for dropped 90 with nipple in the tile. So he just pushed it as far as he could go so he could install spout, not pushing it all the way in as he should. It felt solid, so he left it the way it was. Have seen this many times before. Besides, there is really no pressure in that piece of pipe nor is this pipe constantly filled with water. So SharkBite is clearly, and without a question, not a failure. So as an plumber-expert, I am sure you knew all this the moment you've opened the wall from behind. Have a great day!
You have a very valid point about the no constant pressure.
Might not be a failure on sharkbites end but definitely on tile installers trying to do plumbing. Which is common due to sharkbites..
My Sharkbite fittings are more than 10 years old and still not leaking and yes, I know soldering is better.
@@chrisman714368 @0:59 - loose pipe inside SB fitting - clearly indicates, the pipe was not pushed all the way in. If it was, pipe would not have such movement, as this movement would be prevented by pipe firmly sitting inside the solid interior of the SB fitting. Pipe was originally pushed in only half way, barely clearing the s.s.teeth and O-ring, only. Clearly, it was a faulty installation and not "failure" of SB fitting. Thank you
@@ChaNnArD-mD mine too.
I have dozens pf shark bites in a renovation I did in 2008. Not a single leak, drip or problem.
been using them for 20 years, no leaks or failures
Between my home and my business I have probably used at least 20 sharkbite fittings, valves, etc over many years. Not once has any of them leaked. I have complete confidence in them.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Improper install 100%, I have Sharkbite fittings I installed in my home over 15 years ago, flawless....
Thank you for your comment and support.
I’ve been using shark bites for over 10 years now. They’re awesome. I never had any issue with them. It’s the installer that’s the problem. Use the depth gauge to make sure you have the proper insert depth. Also make sure to clean, ream & deburr the pipe.
Thank you for your input.
There's a rubber seal inside that keeps the water in. You do know this rubber seal will eventually fail and leak right? SharkBite is great for quick emergency fixes, but never for permanent installations. I'm in the maintenance business, I know what I'm talking about.
I know many plumbers whos eyes light up 🤑when they hear of Sharkbites being installed. "Here give them my business card, we do emergency after hours fixes" lol
@@mrdan2898 You speak the truth. The explanation for this video is that sharkbites do fine long term under constant pressure. Tib spout and shower head are not under constant pressure, so the rubber oring wears out faster..
Nice to hear,I just had one installed behind my Frig inside the wall for my ice maker by one of professional plumber, hopefully it will do the job and last for longtime , that was a bad place for water leaking .
I used the push fit connector that Menards sells. Added a T coupler into hot and cold copper pipes in the basement. Other part of the T was CPVC pipe. Installed them 15 years ago. Still perfect today. Anyone who says they do not last or work has not used them or installed them correctly.
I am a plumber and I also work on my own. Plumbing at my house. I use shark bites all the time. And they are very reliable and never league. This video is very misleading. I hate it when people go in down a product. When it's not an actual shark bite product
In my home last 25yrs no problem
Thank you for your input, It's apreciated.
I'm not a plumber but I have used shark bites starting in 07 and they worked great and I will keep using them, I like that you can use them on copper, pex and crapy pvc .
Appreciate the good comment
Those fittings are not sharkbite. Sharkbite is a brass fitting with 30 year warrantee. Those are a copper off brand
30 year warranty?
That's amazing.
You're correct and SharkBite wins
@@tedd7028 so why you call it shark bite? They should sue you to oblivion.
One is actually an older sharkbite and let them try to sue me. @@rafars2246
I've used shark bites for many water heater installations and even on boiler return manifolds and never had issues, some have been on for over 15 years. I was skeptical at first but have learned to put almost as much faith in them as soldered joints.
key is measure the lenth right and allways use the deburring tool 15 plus years no leaks to date
You should not be doing plumbing period
@@chriscalderin6677 What about plumbing exclamation point or plumbing comma ??
@@chriscalderin6677actually I can sweat copper pipes just fine or pre press i prefer sweating pipes the proper way:)
I used them once, pex to copper. It was a frozen pipe emergency. They are still working, I am guessing 5 years. Thank you for the video.
Glad they're holding up for you.
I've got some Sharkbite connections that have been in my hot and cold water lines for at least 15 years. Absolutely no leaks. The connectors are all on plumbing runs easily accessible in the basement. I would never use this connector type inside a wall or any enclosed space not readily visible and accessible. (No-brainer for me, since my house is a one story ranch and about 98 percent of the plumbing is exposed in the basement)
How silly to watch a video for a specific answer and the answer never comes. I think creators do this because they have this never ending need to generate comments and traction ...silly game. Blocked. On to finding a video that actually answers the questions they pose.
Thanks for the comment.
It's likely the failure happened due to improper installation rather than the product failing because of a quality issue. I've seen plenty of soldered joints go bad, but in almost every case it was due to the carelessness of the person doing the work.
Since this video was posted, it has been determined that these types of fittings are meant to be under constant pressure only. When you put them in a feed situation with varying pressure (on / off) the o rings move, stretch, dry up and eventually crack and fail.
@@tedd7028 Why are plumbers so afraid of sharkbites? Every excuse to knock them. How about being honest for a change and explaining when they are installed correctly how they can be great for a homeowner? Nooooo, go take out $10K loan to pay the plumber. Plumbers are so afraid of change and not being able to rip people off
Installed a shower cab in a basement 6 years ago next to old water heater. I had to cut into the existing 1/2 water lines and both lines had an old looking push-to-connect couplings. I disconnected them, installed tees and put couplings back - they were exposed and I asked home owner to keep his eyes on to detect a leak if one should to happen. No leak so far. My opinion - good quality fittings and proper installation are critical.
Details of proper install definitely matter.
I would suspect the pipe wasn't properly fastened either
I was thinking the same thing
You're somewhat correct. The straps had failed. Probably due to the pressure change flexing the push connect fitting a few thousand times.
Bro that’s not a sharkbite fitting. I’ll bet the insertion is less than required judging by the play.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment
I agree, that's not a shark bite fitting
Sharkbite fittings must be installed properly. We can't see/know with those in the video - if they were. But for those that still have doubts about their reliability - SIMPLE FIX! Don't use them INSIDE walls. Only use them only where one has direct access to them.
Fully agree with you
Shark bites are great, and work fine! But you have to make sure the pipes are properly prepped! (Judging from this video, the pipes don't look like they were properly prepped) The pipe ends must be cut straight, deburred and cleaned if using copper! the ends must be cleaned with a wire brush or pipe cleaning emery paper! With properly prepped pipes they will hold good and long for many years and are quick and easy installation for do it yourselfers! I've used Shark bites for many years and never had a problem with them! I would not use them behind walls where they are not accessible! Just my humble opinion.
Thanks so much for chiming in. We appreciate your support.
5 years later and whopping 225 subscribers, keep riding that Sharkbite wave bro!
LoL!
Thank you for your comment and support.
@@tedd7028 you bet!
sharkbite will last as long as a soldered joint if it is installed correctly. i could make a video of soldered copper fittings that failed and just popped out. of course someone would say it was a bad solder job. well this video is of a poorly installed sharkbite fitting.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment
So which brand do you use where the rubber doesn't degrade over time?
@@drcl7429 same o ring in sharkebite as pro press. they have been using push on fittings in europe for over 30 years
You never actually said how old the installation was. 0 stars.
Thank you for your comment and support.
I'm guessing the installer didn't measure properly and push the copper all the way in.
Thank you for your comment and support.
Don’t install shark bite at inaccessible places
Exactly
@@tedd7028 I have in a pinch and they're just fine and will be
@@walterbrunswick lol, how long do you expect the sharkbite to last!?"
I'd say that second one hasn't been fully inserted - if it had been pushed fully home you wouldn't see that angular movement. It also appears it may have been installed with no additional mecanical support/fixing so that the joints are stressed every time the valve etc is operated.
Also (and this point may well not be relevant to viewers in the US) modern metric 22mm pipes are not the same outside diameter as an Imperial 3/4" pipe (even though they look the same) and so this type of joint will not work properly if the wrong size is used. Same applies to compression fittings (although you can at least buy Imperial sized metal olives to use in a metric fitting.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment
Lmao. The SharkBite was not leaking. The other one is not a SharkBite you hack
Thank you for pointing that out.
Appears that the pipe was not inserted properly into the Skarkbite fitting from the installation...don't blame Sharkbite.
Definitely some poor installation here.
Don't look like they were installed correctly. For safety I don't install them in walls, only where you can see them.
That's a pretty good policy.
Same here. They most def need to be installed to the depth specified. In addition to all the CRAP work Ive witnessed from so called "contractors" ..All of which "have been doing this for 20 years. blah blah blah" , who always have some comment or two about the other contractors work...when they themselves cut corner after corner or put in 75% work or they cant account for the work their workers do...Same ol non-sense over and over. Ive seen my share of "blame the product" with so many contractors, plumbers , electricians, etc....Which is why I learned to do MUCH of this stuff myself. Solder works yes but copper does get pin hole leaks ...lets not act like it is flawless 100%.
Ive seen sharkbites go 7 years with no issue. Yet I also use them where I can see them just because I trust a solder joint more....but I cant say its because I've seen Sharkbite fail like that...I am just waiting until I see more 1st hand time go by with no failures. The fact that it uses a rubber seal ...means it more than likely will fail one day....where as copper and well soldered joints/connections I have seen go over 30 years (and counting) with no issue
I had a SharkBite connector for my house main water line to fix copper rust leaking. It is still working since 2009.
Nice. That is a great application for a fitting of that type.
@@tedd7028 very true ,, i learned never ever use shark bite fittings on anything that isn't under pressure all the time and they do not like any sort of vibration or movement ,, never knew they had a 30 year warranty though
Those shark bites were not inserted all the way to there stops inside the shark bite it is very necessary and important to mark the pipe with a marker using the deburr/depth gage that is sold right along side the shark bites you will not know if your deep enough with out marking the pex or copper first .
That's an excellent tip.
I have seen knock off push fittings fail in 6 months! I have used many genuine sharkbite fittings and have had success with them. I have several in my own attic!
Thank you for your comment and support.
I know people that had sharkbite for 15 years and no leaking.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment
I would call it an improper installation!
Thanks for the comment. I think you're probably right
Everything fails if it’s not done correctly. If you find a leak on a solder joint, what does that mean?
Wasn't soldered right or someone has been flexing the pipe to get a fitting on nearby.
It could be a flawed installation and not the sharkbite itself.
I do think that's a major part of it.
This is pretty obvious this ia an improperly installed SharkBite fitting - not a SharkBite fitting failure caused by bad design. As a pro, you should know that. You never install Push-In fittings where pipe may be twisted by external forces - vertical or horizontal. This a good example of sloppy work. Installer was putting in spout riser, through the back wall. He tried to fit new pipe through hole in tile - however that hole offers limited movement in up direction, before it hits top of the hole. He pushed as far as he could, but not all the way. Thus the consequent leak. FYI: Push-in Fittings have been in use for over 50 years with great success, mainly in refrigerators, filters, and soda machines. They are Code approved by both UPC and IPC, that covers entire United States. Just like with any other product - if you don't follow installation instructions, the product will fail prematurely. Thank you
Excellent observations and description.
Thanks for chiming in.
Truck braking and air suspension systems use push fit fittings which are the same principle as sharkbites in that they use an o ring for sealing and they not only handle twice the pressure of domestic water systems they are also safety critical, they are perfectly reliable if used correctly
I replace my plumbing every 3 years or 60k miles.
How often do they need to be inspected?
The vehicle has a safety inspection every 12 months but o rings are nit inspected individually, the suggestion that o rings degrade over time is utter nonsense@@drcl7429
Definitely don't think they are failures but it does have to do a lot with how they are installed. I've had Sharkbites for over 10 years now and haven't had a problem .
I think you're right on the money.
My oldest shark bite is about 20 years old now.. hot water heater inlet, and outlet when we needed to replace the tank. and it's connected to the old gray plastic pipe in an 89 manufactured home..
Thank you for sharing your experience.
That wasn’t inserted all the way and wasn’t deburred
You could be correct
So what is the answer? You said you would tell us how old the fittings were.....you have to do what you said you would do
You gotta learn how to read bro.
7 years.
there's a reason you only have 216 subscribers.
Thanks for your support
Both valves at my meter were passing and in a pinch I used a 3/4 Sharkbite coupler after I sweated everything else. Well.....that was 17 years ago!!!
Thank you for your comment and support.
Spinning free has nothing to do with leak. Deburring inside and outside of pipe is super important on shark bite fittings. Also being sure they’re inserted all the way in. Also not having any lateral perpendicular pressure on fitting is super important. Once soldered pipes are connected you can push and pull on them sideways. This is not a good idea with shark bite fittings. IMO. I have used them for years without issue.
Appreciate the good comment
SharkBite started out as being a temporary fix I believe they will be a lot of plumbing failures compared to soldering copper which have been under my house for 50 years
Thank you for watching and commenting. It really helps the channel.
Lower fitting was not installed properly...that is where the failure is, not the fitting
Just fucken tell us
Sharkbite fittings require some basic prep. Clean the copper tubing, deburr inside and out, mark the insert depth with a pencil to make sure you did insert your tubing the full distance. I've installed many hundreds of these over the last ten years and never seen one single failure. Not one. One my own home I have two 1/2" Sharkbite 90s on the evacuated-tube solar collectors, exposed to minus 40C (-40F) in the winters and plus 40C (105F) in the summers, and running propylene glycol instead of water. Glycol temperatures can run up to 105C or 220F. After a decade they still look good. If you're a lazy plumber who doesn't believe in taking the time to prep a connection then yes, you'll see some failures.
Yes! And if he was an honest plumber, he would have also explained the proper procedure to install a sharkbite. They are great when installed correctly. Poor little plumber is afraid of people stealing his overpriced work.
-40 is impressive. I'm guessing that's on Pex or cpvc?
I think the most important thing to remember using shark bite fittings is proper prep and installation procedures.
This is true, good prepping will give a longer lasting joint, but in comparison to tried and true soldered copper, which seems like it could last for 100+ years, only time can tell how long shark bites will really last, im sure they will be re-designed and tweaked every decade or so, in order to maintain sales and hopefully fully optimize the product
I used Sharkbite on pex / water heater install. I marked the pex with a Sharpie at the proper depth spacing for the fitting, in this case 1.1" Had I not marked it, I likely would NOT have seated it correctly. It took some force to fit it on then it stopped, short of my mark. Had to really muscle it on to seat at the proper depth. I'm no plumber by the way. I don't know how the install was done here but If these things failed with any regularity as shown in this video they'd be short lived. As it is, I've only heard good things & so far so good on my install.
they used the wrong elbow on tub spout, should have used a brass "winged" ell secured to a brace, that would have eliminated any movement of tub spout, that may have prevented failed fitting. just my opinion.
That's a really good point.
A great time to start switching it all to PEX.
But using any connectors in a dead space you can't access easily, is already a bad move.
I've only had one Sharkbite connector "fail". Because I did not seat it proper in the fitting, felt like it did, but nope. Easy fix.
Pex is a great system. I prefer Pex A
@@tedd7028 Right on, I went with the Pex B because it all came with a kit, "Enfield" With 100 foot of pipe, cheap cutters and crimpers, I watched a few videos and learned to install it right. + I got all the extras to fix a failure, stick with brass fittings. It's a dream come true a homesteader. Just have to do every fitting perfect. Naturally.
The installer of those shark bites did not install them properly. Also, you never use sharkbites on something that is not permanently fixed. They do spin, they are supposed to spin. Until they are fixed to a pipe. Tub spout , stupid. Water line/valve, perfect.
Excellent observation and correct.
Wow, some suspect plumbing here, but what is up with all the hatred and vitriol in the comments!
Thank you for watching and commenting. It really helps the channel.
You've either got acidic water or electrical current running through your pipes. Corrosion isnt from the sharkbite. Any fitting will fail after corrosion.
It's definitely hard water in this town
So , are you suggesting technology exists to design an o ring capable of withstanding high pressure oil but niot low pressure water? How interesting....
Not installed properly and it always spinning
That green is from the solider and flux on the copper....You gotta wipe the pipes down really good when sweating pipes....
There was no solder or flux used, they used a push on connector. Is Statue of liberty green because of solder and flux?
You are correct
Indtalled correctly?
Yeah if he was an honest plumber, he would have also explained the proper procedure to install a sharkbite. They are great when installed correctly. Poor little plumber is afraid of people stealing his overpriced work.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment
@@tedd7028 you are welcome!
Someone saved some time, that was nice of them.
Lol yeah, saved their time.
I only use them in exterior applications or places that a leak could be detected easily. Never use them anywhere that they can't been visually checked. For sure never in an interior wall.
That's probably the smart choice.
Funny how long it took to get any traction. I found this video interesting, first because I just watched another video prior expounding the useful and trustworthiness of the Sharkbite fittings, and secondly from a troubleshooting/analysis perspective. Reading through the comments have identified possible pitfalls in plumbing in general but also weakness that need to be accommodated for when using Sharkbite or similar crimp fittings.
CZcams has proven to be an interesting platform with fickle algorithm. Thank you for your comments. You're correct on many levels.
no matter what fitting you use. if not installed right you will have trouble with it later on. I have seen solder on copper fitting leaking because either not solder right or most likely the flux was never washed off the pipe and it ate into the pipe causing pinhole leaks
Very good point. Prep work and proper technique is the key.
An experienced plumber can make a sharkbite/pushfitting work properly. A weekend warrior/diy’er will fall prey to the “simplicity” and cause a joint failure because they don’t understand the proper precautions to take to ensure the fitting works.
Sure the fitting will work, but for how long. There is a failure point, and it's the rubber seal.
Not all weekend warriors are the same, same as not all plumbers are the same. Some of us do our research and have done our own work because some plumbers don't do what they should do-experienced or not. Or, you hire a reputable plumber, but they send in the newbie and don't oversee their work. It's a crap shoot.
Clickbait
Thanks for letting us know. ;-)
I only ever use end feed (soldered) fittings, or compression fittings on anything I make up. But sometimes I have to use pushfits along with what is already in place.
There's definitely a time and place
How long? 15 yrs and still going
Depends how much the previous owner wanted to pay the plumba
HaHa!
In this case it was done by a live in handyman.
Shark bites have their place when used properly,although personally I would not use a shark bite unless they were readily accessible.
I fully agree with you
Got new for you the fitting in the middle isn’t a shark bite fitting
Good eye
Rats love eating PEX pipe, but, don't seem to go for copper??
Thank you for your comment and support.
if you use the depth/ deburing tool and mark it, you wont have those problems
I think we determined there was a different issue with the varying water pressures that caused the o rings to fail..
I DON'T THINK THIS GUYS A REAL PLUMBER PETERPIPERSPLUMBING 32 YEARS NORTH BAY CALIFORNIA SAYS SO 😊
Not my work. I'm just a lowly apprentice, but I know when things fail.
@@tedd7028
It may not be your work, but the whole premise of the question is faulty when the installation was faulty and those are not actually SharkBites. So, the question is not answered. IF you want to be trusted when you have clients rely on this site, you might want to make sure your facts are correct and the experiment or question is set up to provide a useful answer. It's okay if you were just mistaken, but it seems you are not correcting your mistake by changing the video headline or content. So, that leads me to distrust your channel. I'm only here now to respond to a question to my comment. Otherwise, I don't see value in this video. If you don't respond to the many criticisms and improve, then I can only assume it is clickbait and not worth me subscribing or watching again. But, I hope you want to be honest, learn, and create a useful channel that makes money on being a trusted source, not a clickbaiter.
There is little difference between sharkbite and pro press except pro press mangles the pipe. Properly done equally good to any other form of connection. Leaks can happen anytime, anywhere and I doubt sharkbites would fail catastrophically. They pressure test to over 100psi on plastics tubing so…
Mine has been going strong for 20 years now, but then I didn't install it improperly like this video shows. Never use it where there will be a constant flexing force from an everyday use valve.
You hit the nail on the head
This one was not installed properly.I put in a sharkbite 7 years ago and not a single drip.
You are likely right.
A supposed Sharkbite rep said, their fittings are designed to be under constant pressure. Since this was in line with a shower diverter, it was not constant pressure.
not a single drip. "YET"
As good as sharkbite is most people use them because they are fast, easy and works in wet situations. Price seems a bit ridiculous though. I'd never use them where I could not easily access.
Thank you for watching and commenting. It really helps the channel.
Uponors version is better. Wonder the pressure to the home. Also if those shark bites were installed with the valve or used as a repair later on. Seems like those shark bites were installed on pipe with flux residue.
So the shower valve was replaced and the push connect fittings were used to reconnect the shower and tub spout lines. It has been determined that 1 was not a sharkbite brand and both were used in lines that weren't under constant pressure which is most likely why they failed prematurely.
That one looks to have leaked from day one. Can see that it wasn't installed correctly.
SharkBite fittings are fine if installed correctly. But you cannot put them where the pipe may move. It's obvious to me that that pipe was moving around at some point.
I do believe you figured it out first.
Tiles look old style, so fittings may be a very first generation of this type. That time PTC fittings were not allowed for behind the wall installation.
The inspectors in this town do not allow ptc fittings inside walls today.
I think if they're proper installed they'll last as long as a soldered one. Having said that I still trust soldered more than any connection method. 😀
Totally agree
Not long enough 😢
Exactly! 10-15 years no NOT a long time. May appear long but it's not. It's like a ticking time bomb, that will go off but nobody knows when!
I’ll bet that was the year shark bites came on the market.
Plumber hates shark bite because it bites into the business.
But to be fair I wouldn’t use them in a wall out in the open why not
The installer didn't insert the pipe far enough into the fitting for it to rock like that.
I have seen this video twice just now, my first and last time, improper installation procedures were the doom here, not the Shark Bite, you are dolling out false information, the "leaker" is not a genuine Shark Bite
Thanks for the comment and your insight
unfortunately he was found dead
Sharkbites are useless in anything other than a straight fitting, when fixing leaks you can’t always get the pipe perfectly straight, any imperfections in the pipe will render the sharkbite useless. No better than a piece of rubber and a c clamp
That crap shud only be used temporarily and never buried in a wall
Agreed.
That's bad installation and copper. Not the sharkbite. Improperly done solder also won't last.
agreed. The installation was not done to recommended use
I use Sharkbites ONLY where I can see them or have easy access..; NEVER behind a wall.
I think that's the best choice.
Bad procedure's at installing time, now the best way to a plumber to make noise and make money welding coper?
😎😎😎😎😎 shark bites will last till they don’t as in all plumbing will fail 😎😎😎😎😎
Very good point there
This was a 7 year old installation.
Pro Press fittings use orings and nobody calls them junk.
They don't handle freezing very well. Otherwise I prefer pro press over SharkBite if hidden in the wall.
Well sir, beware of being too critical, or a couple of sharks might bite!😂😂🎉🎉
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment
That fitting was installed wrong for it to rock like that. It's not the fault of the product that the installer can't follow simple directions.
I think that caused by improper installation that didn't pushed it in far enough .
You may be right
10 years
My shark bites still holding after seven years
That's good! Let us know when it fails.
I have some at the 20yr mark, all good
If they hold another 20 years, I wont be around. after that. @@mrdan2898
I made the mistake of using these in PEX, in a heating system. The rep I spoke with by telephone assured me "that's exactly what these are made for".
After 2 heating seasons, the tiny vibration of the circulators in the system caused the internal stainless ring to wear a groove in the PEX, which allowed the system's glycol to run out on the ground.
Never again...
Not PEX
Not Sharkbite
I know of many sweated copper fittings in service more than 70 years with nary a sign of any problem, so you tell me - which costs more?
Oxygen barrier pex is great for heating loops in concrete. However, I would use the proper crimp fittings. That said, I prefer soldered copper for standard plumbing.
PexB sucks for that. The thin metal crimp rings is the only thing stopping it from popping off. Anywhere you have metal you have chance for corrosion too. Also PexB uses internal fittings which restrict flow. PexA is a little more expensive but fixes all these issues. Once expanded it will always be trying to tighten back down on the fitting with a LOT of force for the rest of its life. It won't budge. It won't corrode. It won't pinhole like copper. Also no flow restriction and easier bends.
Anecdotally, my heating system is polybutylene (not american crap pb, its quite standard here) and pushfits (not sharkbite but much better european brand) and its been in service for over 12 years with zero leaks or any issues now.
Thank you for your comment and support.
Thank you for your comment and support.
Thank you for your comment and support.
I also think the pipe wasn’t properly fastened. Possible too short and tried it out not going all the way in and it didn’t leak at first