SharkBite fittings allow a watertight seal between two different types of pipe, copper and polybutylene.
The polypropylene fitting is often used as a quick solution to connect two pieces of PEX tubing without creating an unsightly connection with an additional piece of PEX material. SharkBite fittings have been in existence since 2004, and the average lifespan of a SharkBite fitting is approximately 25 years, provided it is installed per the installation instructions. It complies with local code, similar to the lifespan of most types of plumbing fixtures. Much of this has to do with the lack of traditional connection methods. Unlike a compression or threaded fitting that uses the tightness of the connection to keep it from leaking, a SharkBite fitting relies on an O ring seal known as the rubber sleeve over the tubing and a metal clip inside that pushes to connect fittings to provide watertight accuracy. The rubber sleeve is made of EPDM, an extremely safe compound with no known long-term environmental effects if disposed of properly. Be sure not to confuse SharkBite fittings with a normal male or female copper pipe connection; they are entirely separate from each other and typically incompatible. A SharkBite fitting can be used in place of solder for piping purposes, but not vice versa.
SharkBite fittings look like two-piece connections with an attached metal clip and O-ring seal. The male and female versions create a tight watertight seal, and the only difference between them is the size and ball valves used for each. Often, one will use a larger male fitting to attach to their existing plumbing pipe while using a smaller female connector on the other end of the PEX pipe. It allows you to have higher flow rates through your home or business without worrying about leaks or damage occurring at higher pressures. You can remove SharkBite fittings and re-use them.
SharkBite push-fit fittings are best used when you need an easy, quick way to connect two pieces of PEX tubing without having to solder or use other connection methods. It would be best not to use them for high-pressure water lines, waste lines, gas lines, or anywhere else where the connection withstands significant amounts of weight.
The special tool is useful in certain situations where one would normally have to solder or use a male-female threaded connection. SharkBite fittings are easily removable, replaced and repaired later on down the road. They are also used in places that are hard to reach for solder connections, such as underground connections, garages, in-wall connections and water heaters.
Do not confuse SharkBite fittings with compression fittings, they do not require any tape or paste-like other fittings might need.The short answer is yes; they can erode if faced with long-term exposure to standing water and certain types of metals. If you have soft copper pipes or other metallic fixtures, consider using a compression fitting instead of a Shark bites to prevent this from occurring.
Also, anything on the surface of the pipe could affect the teeth of the shark bite and the fit of the O ring seal. According to many plumbers, an old PEX pipe may have corrosion build-ups or older solder that needs to be removed. This corrosion needs to be removed before doing the SharkBite fitting to avoid leakage due to corrosion.No. SharkBite fittings should not be used on any type of pipe other than PEX pipe. It is because the rubber sleeve over the PEX will swell and expand around anything but another piece of PEX, potentially creating leaks in your plumbing system where they don't belong.
One mistake with these types of connections is over-tightening them during installation instead of being properly inserted. It can cause the metal clip inside to cut into either end of both pieces of tubing. It causes a reduction in flow and can decrease the overall lifespan of your plumbing connection. Another mistake is leaving them exposed to standing water without proper protection from UV rays or other potential contaminants, such as debris, calcium or chlorine deposits (if you live in an area where this type of thing occurs). Chlorine is used to treat water in many parts of the world, experts have claimed that chlorine deposits could cause the rubber O ring sleeve to get worn out, so If possible, it's best to keep your SharkBite push-to-connect fittings covered when not in use. If you can't find a cover for them, consider using a compression fitting due to its reliability.
Many homeowners and business owners claim these types of fittings are very reliable because they're easy to access in case you need to make repairs. It is a simple push-to-connect fitting that a less experienced expert can do. If you have a problem with your SharkBite fitting, it's usually not difficult to replace the entire connection instead of having to solder or use another type of connection method.
Sharkbite fittings are only push-to-connect fittings, and there are other alternatives to these types of fittings; one is a compression fitting. Proper installation includes threading your connections' male and female ends together, then tightening them with an attached nut. Compression fittings don't require heat as soldering does, but they do make it more difficult to connect two pieces that aren't perfectly straight. Threaded copper adapters are usually the best choice for high-pressure water lines or other situations where you need your connection to withstand significant amounts of weight. They're slightly more complicated than SharkBite fittings but can be used for just about any type of application you might need.
This type of connection relies on the rubber tubing to create a tight seal. If you need your fittings to withstand high pressure, look for ones made out of brass or another metal instead. For normal pressures, though, these types of connections are fairly reliable.
One of the most common problems with SharkBite fittings is leaking or dripping after being installed. It usually happens when you wind up over-tightening the connection during installation to prevent it from slipping off at a later point in time. To remedy this problem, don't force your connection and instead work slowly and carefully until you've created a solid seal between both pieces.
Another problem that sometimes occurs is corrosion on either end of your tubing if exposed to standing water for long periods (such as an outside faucet where there's no cover) or possibly backup from a clogged drain. If you use this fitting for outdoor applications (or any high-pressure connection such as one with a hydropneumatic system), make sure to cover them when not in use if possible and clean off any deposits or build-up regularly.In most cases, no. If you have a cracked or damaged connection, you can replace it with a new one. However, SharBite fittings are reusable for testing purposes, but any fitting that has been used repeatedly for testing should not be used for permanent connections.
To prevent leaks from occurring in the future, use a compression fitting instead of a SharkBite. This type will allow you to make a watertight seal without having to worry about whether your tubing is completely straight when inserting the connector into either end. It's also easier to remove if necessary and doesn't require any special tools or equipment for installation. For more information on plumbing, and the various codes and standards, take a look at the Plumbing Code of Australia.SharkBite fittings are a connection for PEX (or its braided variants) and copper tubing. The connectors are made up of three parts: the fitting, the nut, and the collet tube. The fitting sits on one end, the nut screws onto the other end, and the collet tube slides into place to secure everything together as you're screwing it down.
The fitting attaches to either piece of tubing or another SharkBite fitting.
The nut secures it in place, so you don't need special tools for installation or removal.
The collet holds everything tightly together and provides easy access if you need repair work done at a later time.