Question for Sharkbite users

[ktm rider]

I recently asked about the Sharkbites and a few guys here seemed to like them. SO, I went and bought two 1" coupling Sharkbite today to replace the crappy and leaking Quest fittings I have. Well, the guy at the plumbing place said that they are NOT recommended for heating at all. He claims that the boiler treatment in the water eats them up and they don't handle the higher temps very well.

Has anyone had any issues like this with their sharkbites?

 

[iCreek]

That is the first I have heard that, been using mine for about one year. I don't understand what would 'break down' from the heat? Lots of people are using them for their ease of use, so I would think any weakness would show up with people that have been using them for years.... Curious of other comments.

 

[ktm rider]

That is the first I have heard that, been using mine for about one year. I don't understand what would 'break down' from the heat? Lots of people are using them for their ease of use, so I would think any weakness would show up with people that have been using them for years.... Curious of other comments.

Apparently they have a max temp rating of only 200 degrees. Sometimes my boiler will come right to about that temp. I am guessing the actual max temp is somewhat higher but the recommended temp si no higher than 200 degrees.

 

[WVwoodsman]

One year and counting with no leaks! My owb dealer recommended then to me also.

 

[mtfallsmikey]

Temp. rating of S:greenchainsaw: harkys are actually higher than most PEX tubing!

 

[danl]

Wouldn't it be better to get the pex crimper and use the pex fittings?

I fought with my stupid qwest compression fittings for seven years. they constantly leaked.
Two years ago my brother in law bought the pex crimper and converted all his to crimp fittings and hasn't had a leak since. I borrowed it last fall and still no leaks for me either. It is real easy to use also.

It is expensive but the fittings are cheap.

The gray qwest fittings were leaking all the time They really irrigated under my house a few times. I guess the heating and cooling caused them to back off.

 

[RON58]

Third season here. Have four 1" copper to pex. No problems at all and I run around 180-185 and every once in a while higher.

 

[sstan]

I am just doing my install now and going to use the shark bites.. reasons is the crimping tool (but I could probably rent or borrow one) but the main reason is restriction of flow. From this site and others I understand that the crimp fittings restrict flow much more then the shark bites. at least that is what I have read.

 

[Madspeed]

That is true to some extent. The insert fittings are obviously "inserted" into the pex, therefore acting as a restriction andreducing flow. How much? Don't know

 

[Madspeed]

I bought a crimping tool when I plumbed my house, but I'll probably also stick with the sharkbite fiitings when I install the lines for the OWB

 

[Windwalker7]

Shaver furnace company actually recommends using Shark bites. Its states that in their instruction manual.

 

[mtfallsmikey]

The old Qwest/polybutylene fittings were only rated to 150 deg. or so. I didnt want to buy 1/2, 3/4/, 1" crimpers myself, don't have another use for them, especially since I'm not in the plbg/HVAC biz anymore. Crimp fittings can reduce your actual I.D. size by almost half...for example; a 1/2" PEX crimp fitting has only 3/8" or so I.D. Sharkys only have the plastic bushing that goes inside of the pipe.

opcorn: