Posted by Todd on June 20, 2009, 13:29:58
24.225.101.205
Hey guys. What are the three things you have to know to be a plumber? Answer: 1. Crap floats downhill, 2. Payday is on Friday, 3. Don't lick your fingers. Sorry turd chasers. I couldn't resist.
Alright, now that I have aggravated the poop pushers, I really do need some advice about these new fangled Sharkbite fittings. They look great and will connect copper, PEX, and CPVC. And they are removable and REUSABLE. Pricey I am sure but talk about speedy fixes. Now of course I went to the web looking for reviews but got mostly pro plumbers who hated them but couldn't say why. None reported any real failures of the fitting but more about trying to use some old clapped out piping. In one case it was a brass fitting which the product is not even rated for. It became clear after awhile that fear was driving most of it. The homeowner or small businessman no longer needs them to repair a leaking copper pipe. You can simply shut off the water, cut out the leak, and install these fittings to wet pipes and away you go. So much of the "I just can't bring myself to use them" is fear. Many just like the idea of a craftsman being able to sweat nice looking joints on pretty new copper pipe. Agreed, it is dang nice and pretty foolproof. It is also expensive and can and will fail if not done right. No matter what people tell you, copper/solder can and WILL break down over time. I work around large dormitories and leaky copper pipes are a dime dozen in our older buildings. Juts too many years of water hammer, corrosion, and abuse.
I just wondered if anyone here uses them and can speak to their utility? BTW, I am as stubborn as anyone. I use straight and double edge razors because they are actually better than cartridges. However, it seems to me that plumbing mentality stopped progressing around 1920. At least in field. I'm serious guys. We still spec tank heaters in new homes instead of tankless, won't consider PEX for domestic water(while at the same time extolling it as the best thing ever for hydronic in slab heating which is WAY more demanding that any domestic water supply line) and fear any type of compression fittings except at devices. I don't know guys. I lived in a manufactured home for a long time and it was plumbed with useless polybutelene but it NEVER cracked or leaked. ONLY the fittings with those stupid aluminum compressing bands did. One time it was frozen solid and still didn't bulge or crack. PEX is one hundred times the product PB was and we still don't have code clearance to use it for residential potable water supply in my town. Just odd. Sorry for the long winded rant.
Todd
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