Color-Coded: Red PEX pipes can be used for hot water supply lines, blue PEX for cold water supply, and white for either hot or cold. Does SharkBite PEX piping affect drinking water quality? Its a type of plastic that has been treated with chemicals to create stronger bonds between its molecules. PEX-A, which is a type of PEX, is a top choice for hydronic heating applications for so many reasons. not! Picture 4: Sharkbite Coupling Fitting attached to the end of 2 1/2 inch Copper Pipes - One Cold Line and One Hot Line. Picture 2: Sharkbite Coupling Fittings are use to attach PEX Tubing to Copper Pipe. Yikes! Your email address will not be published. Tube liners are not required when using SharkBite large diameter fittings with copper or CPVC. On Saturday morning at 4:19 am I was fast asleep. Unroll about 6 in to 8 in. Free shipping for many products! For 1/2" PEX with OD of 5/8", minimum bending radius is 8 x 5/8" = 5". Some will use the PAP pipe for this (there is no better oxygen barrier semi-flexible hydronic pipe, be it Mr. PEX, Uponor or Viega) but I normally use a standard barrier PEX in 1/2" home-runs. There are two, actually three types of fitting for PEX pipe. What is the maximum temperature and pressure rating for SharkBite fittings? Those fittings should be soldered, pressed or screwed. The red PEX pipe is intended for domestic water applications only. There are no performance differences between red, white, blue and white PEX and all are intended for use in potable water systems. Pipe insertion depths for SharkBite fittings vary dependingon the size of the fitting. from the end to make it easier to solder around the joint. White PEX pipe can be used for either hot or cold water. Simple installation and ease of use make the SharkBite push-fit fittings and valves one of the fastest, easiest ways to plumb many residential or commercial jobs, and are easy to disconnect if needed. No. PEX is a great option for compressed air applications. I've done something like this. How much heat can a SharkBite fitting take? I've got one on a hot water line and no leaks. PS soldering takes a little practice. First, only use SharkBite fittings with copper or PEX pipe. Because the SharkBite oxygen barrier PEX is flexible, the team could more easily handle it than rigid pipe, bending it and securing it quickly along the floor. Without the ferrule, there is potential for leakage. Below you will see several examples of Sharkbite Fittings installations to Copper Pipe and PEX Tubing. So I went to the store, bought a torch, a flux/solder kit, and two copper fittings. Yes, Sharkbite fittings can be used for compressed air. The tube support liner can drop out of the fittings as it can move freely past the grab ring. PEX is also flexible, which makes it easy to route through tight spaces. Happy I asked. In cases where PEX pipe penetrates a concrete slab, it must be protected with a nonmetallic sleeve at the penetration point. It may not display this or other websites correctly. These fittings are designed for use with copper, CPVC, and PEX pipe and can be installed without the need for soldering, clamps, or glue. SharkBite 1/2 in. f. That rating has plenty of play in it considering most hydronic systems do not exceed 180-200 range. Yes, Sharkbite fittings can be used for compressed air. About the PEX you want to use. Can I use SharkBite fittings as a dielectric union? I will be recovering the pipe with concrete when the leak is repaired. I have them next to the boiler on mine they are good so far. SharkBite is one common brand of stab-in fitting. Nice. Also, if I use pex are Shark Bite fittings a good way to connect to the existing copper pipe. AquaLock Push-to-Connect Fittings Made of high-performance lead-free** brass or thermoplastic material, AquaLock push-to-connect fittings give you fast and secure connections without any tools. SharkBite brass push fittings are approved by IAPMO for underground applications as long the fitting is wrapped with silicone tape. But it really happened and you can see for yourself the corrosion. Since ferrous components are likely to be present in the system, it is important to use oxygen barrier PEX pipe to help prevent ferrous components from rusting. didn't last long. Soldered joints are permanent, and they create a seamless connection between the two pipes. Onix fittings require SqueezeTite Pliers and SelfTite clamps to make successful connections. What is the difference between PEX-A, PEX-B and PEX-C? Can you use PEX for forced hot water heat? Push-fit fittings are ideal for appliances that use potable water, plumbing, water heaters, and hydronic heating systems. Are SharkBite fittings certified for hydronic heating applications? Comparing PEX Connections. The Mechanics of a SharkBite Like many of the most helpful inventions, SharkBite fittings are both brilliant yet deceptively simple. When water freezes, it expands and creates pressure that exceeds plumbing system pressure capabilities, i.e. Designed for potable water distribution as well as hydronic heating applications; Yup, I've seen a leaky one cause roughly 10K in damage. I used sharkbites in my baseboard hot-water heating. Sign In Never again is my new rule. I did this for two reasons: after consulting the product guides for the particular brand of PEX I used with an oxygen barrier it did not say crimp rings were approved for use and because sharkbites are full-port whereas most PEX connections go inside the tube, which is already smaller diameter than their copper nominally-sized counterparts. All Rights Reserved. The rule of thumb has been to come off the boiler 10 feet with copper or iron before changing to PEX. Thank you for your support! PEX pipe is approved for residential and commercial hot and cold water distribution systems, municipal water service lines, radiant panel heating systems, hydronic baseboard heating systems, snow and ice melting systems and building services pipe. SharkBite fittings canleak due to one of thesereasons: Review installation instructions to ensure you've followed the correct steps. There are a few adapters available that allow plumbing fittings to be used with air compressor hoses, but these should only be used in emergency situations where replacement parts are not readily available. Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about SharkBite PEX pipe. Be sure to check with local, city or state codes to see if the pipe needs to have sleeves or any type of protective burial for your area. Copyright I had a bad experience with push-to-connect pipe fittings between my hot water heater and my hydronic heating system and wanted to share with you what happened. Only brazing held up in the long run. I used sharkbites in my baseboard hot-water heating. The Boiler Room - Wood Boilers and Furnaces, "If you can't be making money, you might as well be making fires. Thanks gents. I have 0 experience with soldering so I am considering using sharkbite for any areas that may be tight. Lead free DZR brass construction for durability and reliability ; Use-to-connect to any combination of copper or CPVC pipes ; Push-to-connect fittings require no solder, glue, unions, or tools PEX pipe is not freeze-proof. Learn more: SharkBite Warranty. I'm an air compressor mechanic and a businessman. Hi, this is your friend Jack. But can they be used for compressed air? If you are new here, please review posting/commenting guidelines below. Thermal memory allows the repair of accidental crimps in the PEX tubing through the means of a controlled heating source. Can you use PEX pipe for hot water baseboard heat? RWC To use SharkBite fittings, you simply have to push them into the ends of both pipes that you want to connect. SharkBite PEX barb fittings are compatible for potable water distribution and hydronic heating applications. SharkBite fittings are certified to 200 PSI and 200F (93C). PEX is semi-permeable, which means liquid can enter the pipe. x 100 ft. you have to be careful how you put a crimp ring on and that the tooling is well made and in good condition to get a mostly even grip. They are more expensive than typlical copper fittings, but they are easy to install and can removed for other use. The best method to the pipe for straightening is by soaking the pipe in warm water or running warm water through the pipe. So now that push fittings have been thrown out, what is best? Personally I wouldn't use them anywhere on heating system piping. Plus, PEX pipe is flexible which makes it fast to install and requires fewer directional fittings. SharkBite fittings can only be used with hard drawn copper types K, L, and M. Yes. Coil Oxygen Barrier Radiant Heating PEX Pipe is used for hydronic heating applications. horizontally from sources of high heat such as recessed light fixtures, gas flue vents, heating appliances or electric motors. Parallel runs of pipe can be spaced as close as necessary. A community dedicated to helping people with advice on personal home improvement projects. Generally, if the temperature falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit ice will form in water lines and pipes will freeze. What should I do if a SharkBite system is leaking upon installation? Picture 6: Sharbite Fittings example of how installed. A great example is a heat gun. 9630 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203, United States. We dont recommend using a SharkBite fitting outside because sunlight can dry out the rubber O-ring and cause it to crack or split. Yes. x 18 in. Oxygen Barrier and PEX-AL-PEX tubing are intended for heating applications (radiant floor heat, baseboards, etc.) I've looked at electric soldering a couple times for the same reasons. While the materials, fittings, and sleeves for PEX A and PEX B can fluctuate, PEX B is the overall cheaper material. This also means you can't connect PEX directly to a hot water heater, but you can use a connecting material to do this. 62K views 4 years ago #homerepair In this video we show you how to replace an existing heating element with a new one using Shark Bite fittings. Yes. PEX pipe can be pressurized for testing as soon as all necessary connections have been made. Expansion is a collar that goes on the pipe then is expanded and shrinks back onto the fitting. VEVOR 1000Ft PEX Tubing Pipe 1/2" PEX Tubing Oxygen Barrier Radiant Floor PEX Pipe Radiant Heat Floor . All SharkBite Push-To-Connect fittings can withstand up to 200 PSI and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. A SharkBiteDisconnect Clip orDisconnect Tongs are required to remove a SharkBite fitting.