They're saying "PEX is bad, but PVC is worse and there's probably PVC upstream of your house anyway"

People rip on harbor freight for being "cheap" and I'd agree with you if you use your tools every day for a living. but for around the house use or occasional use on a vehicle they are just fine.

That mosaic transition is really nice! Great idea.

>All types of joints (including sweated joints) can fail

I've heard that, but having a soldered joint fail has got to be rare as hen's teeth!

How would that even happen?

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I've been thinking of doing the same thing for our master vanity. Would love to see an update with your process :)

i will not use shatkbites beyond a temporary cap. just like I will never use pex unless the system had a need for it and it's properties, and leaching is worth the risk. just like I won't use press fittings unless the area would benefit from it. but sharkbites ARE permanent [for the life of the system] fittings, when installed correctly. this really sounds like a turbulence/wear issue.

but there's nothing wrong with sharkbites. this sounds like an improper install.

this could be lack of installed depth

lack of surface prep,

lack of proper deburring

lack of proper grounding/jumpering

dezincification

poor choice of metallurgy for system

one or none of the above and you damaged the o ring

poor castings do happen, but rare. and manufacturer o ring/teeth assembly could've been improper, but rare, and no one will know because no one checks the inside before they use the fittings.

this is 99.9% of a time user error. and without pictures, I have to assume as much.

funny story, I had a sw x sw Mueller or watts lead free ball valve leak. installed vertically in a tight spot and couldn't get proper heat on it. clearly the problem is the valve, couldn't have been the excessive heat. good thing those valve have that blue and white self healing properties that saved it until I could get new seals.

point is, this stuff is usually user error and the only play is, regardless of how easy the system is, you will have to prep the pipe, mark depths, check sealing surfaces prior to install, etc etc etc. and do we know what kind of pipe was mated? was this ACTUALLY a sharkbite brand fitting or did you buy a Chinese knock off to save $$$?

GOOD pictures speak a thousand words. I hate to defend shark bites, but there's nothing wrong with them.

Aside from it being super easy to use the big advantage of PEX is that if it freezes it can get almost 3x its size and not burst, when it thaws it will return to its natural state. With copper, if it freezes it is likely to burst because the metal is rigid.

definitely don't rip up the whole floor, that's a waste of resources.

PVC? PEX is a different plastic than PVC.

https://i.imgur.com/3yo1D62.jpg

Got it thanks

My brother was looking into it and sent me a bunch of studies on chemicals leaching into your water lines and it seems pretty bad as well. The problem is PVC is much worse and that's often how it gets to your home.

Probably the Cartman 205 piece set from amazon. Lots of other options, but you'll want a set of ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers with different faces and a complete bit set, hex sets, plyers, and drivers/adapters. Then you'll want to buy a hammer separately, and probably a battery powered drill separately to make work faster. There are lots of options, but I pick the Cartman because I like their ratchets and adapter options.

It's probably nailed on, holes puttied and paint. Try slipping a putty knife in the seam and wiggle it back and forth.pull away from the cabinet with some force, if it moves even a little, it's nailed. Should be able to pull with hands

Following

To be fair, this fitting was at least 5 years old, possibly older.

The plumber that installed our water heater had a heck of a time with getting sweat joints to seal up in one section, so ended up having to use them and was very apologetic about it. Those are just butt connectors and are still fine.

I am not saying Sharkbite are bad, just want folks to be aware tgat they may want to keep an eye on them.

>If using Sharkbite fittings, be careful where you use them and be sure to check on them every once in a while.

Seems to me, if you have to check on them once and a while they they aren't a permanent solution.

For us in exposed locations only in my opinion.

Seeing as the metal broke, I am guessing it was a flaw in the casting. I do not think it was the O-ring but also had a heck of a time getting the one end off the pipe. Rather than wreck or scar the pipe I ended up sawing off the fitting. Will be replacing with a sweat fitting as I have never had one of those leak.

I know a lot of folks love PEX, but I am not yet sold on it. So far, the fewer joints argument and the cost argument are strong but the fact that it is a petroleum based product and that it can not be recycled, except into lower graded products, leaves me on the fence about it. That said, I do have a couple PEX lines in our home and will keep an open mind about it for now.

https://i.imgur.com/QjF0LPz.jpg

https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-set-with-case-130-piece-63248.html

The tools themselves are pretty cheap. However, they have a lifetime warranty, replacement is easy, and the set includes all of the basics you need to get started. Yes, there are better hammers and screwdrivers out there and you'll DEFINITELY want to upgrade at some point. But this will definitely get you started.

To that, I would add: https://www.harborfreight.com/25-ft-x-1-in-slide-lock-tape-measure-56676.html

You want a measuring tape with a good case (these things take a beating you wouldn't believe), quality return spring, and a good foot.

This kit from Harbor freight is a good value for 60

Sharkbite are temporary fixes, that's what a plumber told me. Easy to DIY until a professional can get to it in a few days or weeks.

That's the one .. I hadn't used it in quite a few years. Great stuff. Sets really quick.

Which type of fitting did you use? Sounds like the O ring didn't fail, is that correct?

All types of joints (including sweated joints) can fail. A big advantage of long runs of PEX is that there are fewer joints in the walls.