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[tulenutn2o]

Word to the wise: Don't use anything other than Sharkbite brand fittings if going this route. Every off brand fitting I used leaked upon fire up this year. Luckily, most were in shop. Do have a few in house, but that will be remedied today. Looking at the construction differences, between the 2, I see why. The Sharkbites grab onto the pipe with more "fingers" is my first observation, and overall the fit seems tighter.

[jackel440]

Thats good to know.I haven't used these style fittings yet,but I have seen situations were they sure would be nice.

[RSI]

Do you know what brand the leakers were? The probite brand look pretty much the same but I never looked close at them.
I only use the crimp fittings myself.

[tulenutn2o]

Most were watts  brand fittings from Menards. I had normally used all crimp fittings for plumbing work. Really don't know why I felt the need to deviate. Anyway, shop is now crimped, and house is all sharkbite. Probite looks to be the same as sharkbite to me also. Upon further inspection of the watts fittings, I did notice what I assume is etching of the plastic reinforcing inserts for the PEX lines. All along the only conclusion I could come up with as a cause for the leaks, was the possibility that the watts fittings were not compatible with the chemicals in the system. I dunno for sure, but that's the way it appears anyway. Jackel, It was a long time for me to be convinced as to the merits of using pex in plumbing work until I did my first job with it. Haven't looked back since. I still solder my share, but usually for repair, or when I need a hard connection.

[oldchenowth]

I have found that the Watts brass fittings leaked on me but the cheaper plastic fittings did not.  BUT, I bought a crimper and agree this IS THE WAY to go.

[tulenutn2o]

Update. When I pulled one of the leakers off of a copper stub from my sidearm, definately had o-ring print, emery tape to get it off. Pretty darn confident that the o-rings failed and are being eaten by the chemical.

[Scott7m]

I've used shark bite and gator bite from lowes, haven't had any issues yet.  Interesting though

[tulenutn2o]

Haven't looked at gatorbite, but next time at lowes, I will look. Looking will not tell me squat about the o-rings, but it will reveal how comparable they are to  what I know works. The watts ones don't have all the little "fingers" to grab the pipe like the sharks. Watts are chinese, oh yeah-----------and they LEAK!

[Scott7m]

Shark bite and gator bite both have metal teeth all the way around

[tulenutn2o]

Shark bite and gator bite both have metal teeth all the way around

Watts have 5-6 bigger teeth is all. Wasn't impressed with them when I gottem last year, but figured I'd try em since they were local and cheaper. Did not leak at first. Lesson learned.

[Scott7m]

How much were they? 

I pay the same for shark bite and gator bite, around 11 bucks a pop for elbows and couplings

[RSI]

How much were they? 

I pay the same for shark bite and gator bite, around 11 bucks a pop for elbows and couplings

I will stay with crimp fittings. Around $3 with a cinch ring.

I just checked and probites are around $8.50 for a coupling and $10 for an elbow.

[Scott7m]

I use shark bite on my coils and in places where it's impossible to use a crimp tool.

[lugnut]

Word to the wise: Don't use anything other than Sharkbite brand fittings if going this route. Every off brand fitting I used leaked upon fire up this year. Luckily, most were in shop. Do have a few in house, but that will be remedied today. Looking at the construction differences, between the 2, I see why. The Sharkbites grab onto the pipe with more "fingers" is my first observation, and overall the fit seems tighter.

This is the one question I asked the heating guy who connected my pex lines.  Do you use Sharkbite or crimp connections?  He told me that although the Sharkbite is a good idea, they ALWAYS use the crimp connections because they will never leak.  I told him that we were on the same page then as I didn't want to even have a chance of something leaking in the house...especially water.  I'll pay the extra for that bit of peace of mind.

Lugnut