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I recently posted some pictures of a repair on my Facebook page. The client claimed she had someone else in to install a shutoff valve. They used sharkbite fittings and left the homeowner with a bunch of leaks (according to the customer). They asked for it to all be replaced so I returned it to the copper tubing and soldered fittings that the rest of the house had. Solid fix, no leaks, I was happy about my first major plumbing repair. Unfortunately, people absolutely lost their shit in the comments defending sharkbite fittings and shitting on my work for not just redoing the sharkbites properly and adding a fitting that was missing. I've always heard sharkbites were kind of hacky and better suited to temporary repairs or diy fixes. What do you all think about sharkbites?
3 foot section of copper pipe that had developed a pinhole leak. ... Our water here (Vancouver BC) is really soft.
While it could be the fitting, my initial reaction to this confluence of factors is "Well, then copper pipe is a terrible idea, and replacing a single section of copper pipe due to a pinhole is doing nothing about all the other sections of coper pipe being eaten by the water."
Where copper pipe is eaten by the water chemistry, you either need to alter the water chemistry or use pipe that does not corrode. And if you are replacing copper pipe that has been eaten, you need to look large-scale, because every bit of copper pipe in your house has been exposed to the same water for roughly the same amount of time.
So my first guess would be that the leak is most likely coming from the pipe beyond the replaced section.
My view on Sharkbite Fittings:
They are great for exposed plumbing. Especially for water heaters. They make a great quick disconnect system for appliances. I also am a big fan of their shutoff valves.
What I would not use them for us concealed work behind walls and ceilings. They are rated for it it they claim the rubber seal will last more than 20 years and are resistant to deterioration from corrosive water. But I simply don't trust them. I want my pipes to last 50 years.
The key to a good sharkbite connection is proper preparation of the pipe. Of you're using PEX, it's a no brainer. If you're using copper, you need to properly debur the fitting. Inserting a jagged sharp edge of copper into the fitting can tear the rubber o ring inside the sharkbite fitting. Also, don't use Emery cloth the clean the end of the pipe like you do when soldering. This can also cause a leak.
So to be honest I am making this post in response to conversation I had with another user in r/askaplumber. I have included imgur links of the conversation we had if you wish to read it, however the simplified version is a compare and contrast to the effectiveness of shark bite fittings vs any other approved fitting for domestic potable water systems. I’m looking for input from ideally experienced plumbers in the field, regardless of location, on the topic: “Are shark bite fittings more prone to premature failure than other installation methods, elaborate as to why or why not? Assuming quality workmanship on both sides.” Any feedback is appreciated as well as a brief mention of your experience/credentials. Thanks!
Conversation we had —-> https://imgur.com/a/chLrHDv
I had some sharkbite fittings installed in my basement about 2.5 years also and 2 of them have failed (pictures linked) and 2 more seem to be on their way to fail.
https://imgur.com/a/zdfJBpI
The ones that are on the way to fail when touching the green substance feels oily. I do have a water softener and acid neutralizer, both of which were tested and water is soft and of neutral pH.
What could be causing this and what is this green substance? Thanks for any feedback.
Edit: I finally got a response from Sharkbite. Here is what they said and a link to some low resolution images that they sent.
"We have found that the tubing used with the ½” elbow (part # U248) had foreign debris on it. We have found that the tubing used with the ¾” elbow (part # U256) had scrapes on the outside wall. Any debris or scratches on the outside wall of the tubing can prevent the O-ring from getting a watertight seal. In both cases a small void in the seal would have allowed water to slowly disintegrate the demount ring. Please see the pictures below and let us know if you have any questions"
Link to images: https://imgur.com/a/nenUAgg