Should You Use Sharkbite Fittings | DIY Plumbing

Sharkbite fittings can be a great solution for DIY plumbing projects around the house. Like any other type of fitting you need to know how to properly install to ensure you don't run into any issues like leaks which can lead to water damage. This video will demonstrate proper installation, show you the internals and how a Sharkbite works, and then give you examples of where I use Sharkbite fitting at my own house.

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:05 Sharkbite Fitting Internal Design
1:53 How To Install a Sharkbite Fitting
3:53 Type of Sharkbite Fittings and Valves
4:29 Pro and Cons of Sharkbite Fittings
7:39 Where I Use Sharkbites for DIY Plumbing

Tools Every Weekend Warrior Needs

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[EverydayHomeRepairs]

Tools Every Weekend Warrior Needs

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[CoolerQ]

You mentioned the caps but I'd actually recommend the ball valve for dealing with leaks - if you're trying to cap a gushing pipe, it's a lot easier to attach an open ball valve and then close it.

[kevinforth]

I've used Sharkbite fittings for years, and have never experienced a single leak. Great products, and I'll continue to use them.

[randallthomas]

For emergency shutoffs I prefer the shark-bite valves. Install them in the open position then close them when they are seated. You aren’t working against the water pressure, and you don’t tend to get as wet.

[williebailey]

After my grandfather passed back in 2012, a few pipes froze and bursted in the basement and I went over to fix it for my grandmother. I was in Home Depot looking for the pipes and fitting, and grabbing some MAPP gas to solder fittings, when this guy told me those shark bite push fitting are awesome and will save you time. I bought 2 shark bites and used standard elbows. Long story short I was down in the basement a few weeks ago and those same shark bites from 2012 are still going strong. 13 years is a hell of a temporary fix

[GDeSs]

I've been using SharkBites for over 10 years, now, and I love them!

[davemeise]

Two years ago I replaced a 12 year old water heater that was installed with Shark Bite fittings. No leaks and the new heater still has one of the original fittings on it, so 14 years so far.

[Inkling]

When I needed to replace my water heater I went with Sharkbite fitting and I'm quite happy with them. Easily installed and no leaks about five years out.

[unholycheeseburger]

I had to use it a couple years back when my water intake pipe from the city was leaking badly and I couldn't get a plumber for days. Used sharkbite to fix it, and even put a sharkbite valve in, and it is AMAZING!

[Odin]

Both of the biggest pros are mentioned in the video. I've actually used a sharkbite ball valve on a pipe in full flow. The next pro is that they can be used to cap pipes. If a connection hasn't been finished and the water needs to be turned back on for whatever reason, the sharkbite caps are great. They can be removed without having to cut the pipe off, or heat up the fitting to remove it or whatever.
And as for seeing them fail... not often. I had a guy call me once and say that he'd tried to put a sharkbite angle stop on for a new toilet but he couldn't get it to stop leaking. He told me that he never should have used the sharkbites and how he knew they were terrible. I turned the water off in the house. Used the bathroom faucet to bleed out the pressure and then pushed the fitting all the way onto the pipe. Problem solved.

[jefffees]

First timer user, no leaks. Installation video was misleading, I tapped on using a wrench no problem. Good product, quick & easy.

[asrich]

5 years ago a licensed plumber soldered a new ball valve on the street side of my meter. The next day I installed a sharkbite ball valve on the house side of the meter. The plumbers valve began leaking at his soldered joint after 5 years. The sharkbite has no issues, nor do the other 5 sharkbite valves I installed around my house. The oldest is 10 years. I think the failures come from lack of deburring and improper insertion. The use of the Sharkbite tool demonstrated in the video is key!

[stockey]

Sure a plumber will tell you not to use them, he doesn't want to loose clients, but, if installed properly, i never heard of them leaking, for DIY, they are truly great.

[BrendanKBuckley]

I've used Sharkbite connectors and shut off valves in my crawlspace without any problems. But inside a finished wall I use Pex fittings exclusively (Just my rule). I've had no leaks using Sharkbite fittings though they tend to be a little expensive. Other than that, they're easy to use and very convenient for the DIYer. Highly recommended.

[kingdommanlegacyministries]

A couple hundred thousand, probably more actually. I was leery of sharkbites originally but after a few years of using them off & on, I now LOVE THEM!! I don't use them for all my fittings & in all situations, but I use them when convenient or in tricky spots.
Also, I mainly will use sharkbite on water heaters, when it needs to be or allows the installation to be quick & simplified. I may often use them on difficult areas to sweat, mainly when a repair can be made in a minute or two as opposed to a lengthier repair when sweating. A flame in tight areas is avoided at all cost. I do enjoy sweating pipe & try & sweat as often as possible.

[stevenfoust]

As a remodeling contractor of 27yrs experience I think everything you said is on point. I haven’t seen any failure when properly installed but have seen a lot of crazy plumbing work. Caps are a remodelers best friend for convenience. Most work I would use solder/ pex, caps and then sharkbites for less permanent or temp work.

[-sleep]

I'VE BEEN SCARED OF THESE FOR YEARS HEARING THE MYTHS ABOUT FAILURES. I RECENTLY WAS FORCED TO USE ON ON A 1/2 COPPER PIPE AS THE SITUATION WAS IMPOSSIBLE BY ANY OTHER MEANS. NO LEAKS AND IT WAS SUPER EASY. I'M HARD TO IMPRESS AND I GOTTA SAY THE EASE OF USE MAKES ME THINK I'LL BE BUYING MORE SHARKBITE FITTINGS SOON. LOVE THIS HONEST TAKE BTW. GREAT VIDEO AS ALWAYS.

[bobdonaldson]

I’ve used them for years. Never had a problem. One of the best DIY products ever in my opinion. Get the deburring and gauge tool. It’s worth it.

[tomingle]

I USED THEM TO REPLACE FAUCETS IN AN ALL COPPER HOUSE. WORKED GREAT.

[alericjohansen]

I see a LOT of skoolie people using sharkbite for their conversions. I haven't personally used them, because I didn't know how they worked or what the advantages or disadvantages were compared to normal PVC or copper etc.

Your demonstration about how it works was REALLY good. I loved the cut in half view.

Now that i understand it a bit more, i might go and experiment. I think i would have pushed the pipe only until it was sitting right in front of that o-ring, and thus it likely would have leaked for me.

Sadly, my skoolie is no more, it threw a rod and I had to scrap it, so the places where i can use a sharkbite right now are VERY limited, but it's cool that i have more knowledge about it now.