So has anyone ever had a shark bite fail? I am curious because I always hear about it, but have never seen one fail. I have heard about it but then assume whoever did it didn't clean the end of the pipe before install and ruined the O-ring. I have put probably 100 or more sb fittings on over the last 20 years and have never had one leak or fail. I can solder, but it's so much easier to just clean and deburr the pipe and push on a fitting... no torch, no license plate (to shield the heat from burning everything) no Flux, no solder... it eliminates half of the toolbox. Plumbers hate it because you don't need more than 3 minutes of experience to get the same result. Answer from Pitiful-Cress9730 on reddit.com
Popular Mechanics
popularmechanics.com › home › tools › sharkbite fittings made me believe there is such a thing as an easy plumbing repair
SharkBite Fittings Review | Plumbing Repair Fittings
November 19, 2021 - I needed two tees, six straight couplings, and about 10 or 12 feet of PEX (cross-linked polyethylene, a type of flexible plastic) for both hot and cold-water lines. So I left with my wallet a little lighter than I expected; PEX pipe is cheaper than copper, but the SharkBite fittings cost more than their copper counterparts.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/handyman › opinions on sharkbite fittings?
r/handyman on Reddit: Opinions on sharkbite fittings?
May 1, 2024 -
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?
Top answer 1 of 104
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So has anyone ever had a shark bite fail? I am curious because I always hear about it, but have never seen one fail. I have heard about it but then assume whoever did it didn't clean the end of the pipe before install and ruined the O-ring. I have put probably 100 or more sb fittings on over the last 20 years and have never had one leak or fail. I can solder, but it's so much easier to just clean and deburr the pipe and push on a fitting... no torch, no license plate (to shield the heat from burning everything) no Flux, no solder... it eliminates half of the toolbox. Plumbers hate it because you don't need more than 3 minutes of experience to get the same result.
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I replumbed my entire house and added two bathrooms, while doing it. Also added another water heater. I used SB fittings in all of it. Built the system to be modular. Easy to bypass any section for repair and leave the remaining services usable. My SB fittings have been installed and removed at times. The only problem that I have experienced was caused by my inexperience. SB fittings make the whole house system far easier to maintain and faster to make any needed repairs. After more than 15 years of dependability, I'm satisfied.
Watts vs Sharkbite
Ask your do it yourself plumbing questions and get free answers as well as DIY information about faucets, toilets, pumps and water filters from plumbers at Plbg.com More on plbg.com
Shark bites ****!
My son does not know how to sweat copper tubing, so I crawled under with him and showed him how to sweat on fittings and install Pex and clamp it. I know it will last. Explained to him why I had reservations about shark bite fitting. I have seen several fail or drip. ... Was it a Sharkbite brand, ... More on garagejournal.com
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Are SharkBite fittings actually reliable for permanent copper <--> pex transitions?
Some swear by 'em, some won't touch 'em. Me personally, I keep a few on the truck and I'll use one if I'm in a bind but I don't put them in for permanent installation. For copper to pex I always use a proper sweat by pex adapter but the sharkbite will technically work.
More on reddit.com 19
6
August 9, 2014Question about pex and sharkbite fittings
PEX is quite flexible. More on reddit.com
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May 14, 2020Videos
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Can we blow off these PEX fittings? Sharkbite vs Viega vs Uponor ...
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Are Sharkbite Fittings Bad Products? - YouTube
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SharkBite Fittings - Awesome or A Failure Waiting To Happen? - YouTube
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The Truth Behind #Sharkbite Fittings - YouTube
Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 2521104 › anybody-have-experience-with-sharkbite-connectors
Anybody have experience with Sharkbite connectors?
August 16, 2006 - These seem too good to be true. I'm looking to install PEX in my finished basement and would love to use these connectors. Whats the consensus on these? I did a search here and they were only mentioned once? Thanks in advance.
SharkBite
sharkbite.com › home › blog › new build & remodels › piping systems comparison & education › 4 benefits of plumbing with sharkbite pex
4 Benefits of Plumbing with SharkBite PEX | SharkBite
October 15, 2025 - Many plumbers have found that, compared to rigid pipe, PEX pipe is easier to handle, can bend easily around corners, is just as durable as CPVC or copper pipe and is more freeze resistant.
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › reviews › SharkBite-1-in-x-5-ft-Straight-Red-PEX-B-Pipe-U880R5 › 202688020 › 3
Reviews for SharkBite 1 in. x 5 ft. Straight Red PEX-B Pipe | Pg 3 - The Home Depot
SharkBite 1 in. x 5 ft. Straight Red PEX-B Pipe U880R5
SharkBite PEX tubing is cross-linked polyethylene tubing for a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing applications. PEX Pipe is durable, flexible and corrosion resistant. Manufactured without an oxygen barrier for potable water systems (available in white, blue, and red). A repeating SharkBite imprint patterns provides a visual aid to determine if the tube has been inserted all the way into the SharkBite Push-to-Connect Fitting. This feature only works if the tubing is cut between the SharkBite imprint patterns. In addition to Potable Water Supply SharkBite PEX meets UL Standard for
Price US$4.96
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › reviews › SharkBite-1-in-PEX-A-Plastic-Expansion-Sleeve-25-Pack-UA23104A25 › 316358058 › 1
Reviews for SharkBite 1 in. PEX-A Plastic Expansion Sleeve (25-Pack) | Pg 1 - The Home Depot
SharkBite 1 in. PEX-A Plastic Expansion Sleeve (25-Pack) UA23104A25
SharkBite expansion rings are used to join PEX-A pipe and F-1960 expansion fittings. SharkBite PEX-A pipe, expansion fittings and rings fittings are designed for use in potable water distribution systems. Will require an expansion tool to make the expansion connection with PEX-A pipe.
Price US$17.50
SharkBite
sharkbite.com › home › blog › service and repair › fitting tips & guides › 3 myths about using sharkbite behind the wall and underground
3 Myths About Using SharkBite Behind the Wall and ...
October 15, 2025 - SharkBite fittings are certified for use in concealed spaces and are a trusted solution for a variety of plumbing applications.
Airstream
airforums.com › airstream restoration, repair & parts forums › plumbing - systems & fixtures
Pex: Crimp vs. Sharkbite? | Airstream Forums
November 15, 2013 - I am interested in which connection provides a more secure connection. The other issues to me are secondary: Crimp is better for cost, Shark bite for convenience. If they both provide the same leakproofness, then I would probably choose sharkbite due to ease of install, reusability and no tool...
Quora
quora.com › How-reliable-are-SharkBite-plumbing-fittings
How reliable are SharkBite plumbing fittings? - Quora
Answer (1 of 37): I put one in when they first showed up on the market in the mid 2000s. They were so new and I was very old school. I’d been a contractor since the early 80s. But I figured I’d give one a try. I was installing a 3/4″ PEX line to a 3/4″ copper cold water line to supply a water-po...
Terry Love
terrylove.com › home › forums
A few PEX questions and Sharkbite brand PEX questions.
April 3, 2011 - Running PEX-B along interior concrete block walls...
Fresh Water Systems
freshwatersystems.com › blogs › blog › quick-connect-and-sharkbite-fittings-are-they-reliable
John Guest Quick-Connect and SharkBite Fittings: Are They Reliable? – Fresh Water Systems
July 23, 2021 - Sharkbites are approved for use underground and behind walls, but installing them there could be risky. In both places, the fitting would be out of site. You would have no way of knowing if it were to start leaking.
Forest River Forums
forestriverforums.com › forest river | tech talk › general tech and repair › plumbing and water systems & fixtures
Are Sharkbite Fittings Reliable for PEX in RVs? | Forest River Forums
October 2, 2025 - I too have used Sharkbites without an issue in several of my R/Vs including my current. ... I have replaced most of the pex connections in my 13 year old RV with brass Sharkbite. I have also used a few of the plastic push to connect fittings. I have never had any leak or cause problems, and ...
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › p › reviews › SharkBite-1-4-in-3-8-in-O-D-x-5-ft-Straight-White-PEX-Pipe-U850W5 › 205586762 › 1
Reviews for SharkBite 1/4 in. (3/8 in. O.D.) x 5 ft. Straight White PEX Pipe | Pg 1 - The Home Depot
SharkBite 1/4 in. (3/8 in. O.D.) x 5 ft. Straight White PEX Pipe U850W5
SharkBite PEX tubing is cross-linked polyethylene tubing for a wide range of residential and commercial plumbing applications. PEX Pipe is durable, flexible and corrosion resistant. Manufactured without an oxygen barrier for potable water systems (available in white, blue, and red). A repeating SharkBite imprint patterns provides a visual aid to determine if the tube has been inserted all the way into the SharkBite Push-to-Connect Fitting. This feature only works if the tubing is cut between the SharkBite imprint patterns. In addition to Potable Water Supply SharkBite PEX meets UL Standard for
Price US$2.76
RS Andrews -
rsandrews.com › home › why plumbers are wary of sharkbite fittings
Why Plumbers Are Wary of Sharkbite Fittings - R.S. Andrews
July 22, 2025 - The choice of plumbing fittings ... and durable but require skill. PEX fittings are flexible and cost-effective but have limitations in high-temperature applications....
Plbg.com
plbg.com › forum › read.php
Watts vs Sharkbite
Ask your do it yourself plumbing questions and get free answers as well as DIY information about faucets, toilets, pumps and water filters from plumbers at Plbg.com
Trawler Forum
trawlerforum.com › forums › maintenance and systems › other trawler systems
Pex vs. Sharkbite | Trawler Forum
October 22, 2022 - If just plumbing the water tank for a short distance, say to the pump, the Sharkbite would be easiest and quickest. No real learning curve. Our NP has the Wirsbo (pex) expansion system. I have found that easy to make modifications to. I also have some experience with the Wirsbo system having done three houses with it.
The Garage Journal
garagejournal.com › forums › the garage › general garage discussion
Shark bites ****! | The Garage Journal
July 3, 2023 - It’s easily accessible, won’t hurt anything if it fails, and I already had it. CPVC vs Pex, which is another good product but some homeowners believe is indestructible ... Another product that is only as good as its installer. Sharkbites last a long time IF installed properly.
Airstream
airforums.com › airstream restoration, repair & parts forums › plumbing - systems & fixtures › fresh water systems
PEX crimp vs. press on Sharkbite experiences | Airstream Forums
August 28, 2011 - Simple to use but prefer sharkbites because you can remove them easily for repairs and installing new equipment. ... Go Pex I am with NickSimcheck's camp. Crimping gives you professional results. The $25 vice grip tool allows you to crimp in confined spaces. Sharkbite are for repairs or where crimping is not possible.
Walmart
walmart.com › home improvement › bathroom renovation › bathroom plumbing › plumbing parts and repairs › all plumbing parts and repair
Customer reviews for SharkBite 1/2 in. D X 50 ft. L PEX Tubing 160 psi | Walmart.com
Discover customer reviews for SharkBite 1/2 in. D X 50 ft. L PEX Tubing 160 psi on Walmart.com. Read real feedback and insights to help inform your purchase decision. Shop with confidence and get the best deals online!
Today's Homeowner
todayshomeowner.com › plumbing › septic & drainage › sharkbite fitting problems: are sharkbite fittings reliable?
SharkBite Fitting Problems: Are SharkBite Fittings Reliable? (2025) | Today's Homeowner
On the other hand, Leaks are almost often the result of poor installation, in our experience. SharkBite fittings are dependable and are capable of producing strong connections. Fittings made of PEX, copper, CPVC, PE-RT, or HDPE work well with ...
Published April 11, 2025