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[Rockarosa]

I am going to put in new pex this summer. Since I don't have a crimp tool was wondering if anyone has had success with the Gator Bites?

[Scott7m]

I've used a lot of them with no issues

[oldchenowth]

I have not used Gator bite brand but have used Wex brand from Menards.  Simply put, hate 'em!  Every one leaked when spring came and brought the OWB down in temp.  Seals contracted faster than the pipe causing a leak.  I found the brass ones are worse than the plastic, but both leaked.

I bought a crimp tool with 4 sizes of jaws for around $90.  I use it all the time.  I replaced every one of the Wex "bite" style fittings with crimp rings, no leaks.  I am not arguing, just telling my personal experience

[Scott7m]

I have not used Gator bite brand but have used Wex brand from Menards.  Simply put, hate 'em!  Every one leaked when spring came and brought the OWB down in temp.  Seals contracted faster than the pipe causing a leak.  I found the brass ones are worse than the plastic, but both leaked.

I bought a crimp tool with 4 sizes of jaws for around $90.  I use it all the time.  I replaced every one of the Wex "bite" style fittings with crimp rings, no leaks.  I am not arguing, just telling my personal experience

The off brands suck

I use gator Bite or shark Bite

There are some new ones out available to dealers and probably public to that are called copperhead, there good

[RSI]

I have not used Gator bite brand but have used Wex brand from Menards.  Simply put, hate 'em!  Every one leaked when spring came and brought the OWB down in temp.  Seals contracted faster than the pipe causing a leak.  I found the brass ones are worse than the plastic, but both leaked.

I bought a crimp tool with 4 sizes of jaws for around $90.  I use it all the time.  I replaced every one of the Wex "bite" style fittings with crimp rings, no leaks.  I am not arguing, just telling my personal experience

The off brands suck

I use gator Bite or shark Bite

There are some new ones out available to dealers and probably public to that are called copperhead, there good

How do the Copperhead compare to Probite? They are both made by the same company. http://www.quickfitting.com/b/

[Scott7m]

Well, Jeff says they have better o rings and higher temp ratings

If there from Same Co that worries me some, pro bite leak

[Sprinter]

As long as they have an ASTM label they should be fine. I've never had a leak with any. I've only used a few brands tho.  Shark,gator,watts,menards, nibco, pro bite .  Some pex pipes or poly pipes have to have the stiffener sleeve to seal good. I been seeing a lot more off brand pex that also might play a factor. Some of the cheap stuff found at hardware or big box stores can't even take a single kink before a failure. Where the good stuff can kink several times without a split.

Good to know if there are some brands that suc......sometimes in the boonies you don't have a choice.

[RSI]

If you used watts push fittings on a heating system and they didn't leak, you just got lucky. I have seen them leak when used on rehau pex too.

[Scott7m]

If you used watts push fittings on a heating system and they didn't leak, you just got lucky. I have seen them leak when used on rehau pex too.

Yea no kidding! !!!   They leak like a siv, to bad there label didn't save them

[juddspaintballs]

I've used the Gator Bites with great success.  They're easy and effective. 

However, if you're planning on plumbing your whole system with them, you're going to spend more on the fittings than you would to buy the tool for crimping PEX fittings on. 

[mlappin]

 

The crimp tool isn't that expensive. Like has been pointed out, if your gonna use a lot of those push fittings, a crimp tool can be had instead and I've used pex for other stuff than the OWB and have yet to have a crimp fitting leak. They can be reused as well, just cut the crimp ring off, you'll have to cut the section of pex off that was on the fitting to insure a leak free joint.

[603doug]

I use upnoor pipe for filter, pump systems and my boiler, use sharkbites and gator and never have had a problem. I have the crimp tools but the quick fittings work great

[Sprinter]

If you used watts push fittings on a heating system and they didn't leak, you just got lucky. I have seen them leak when used on rehau pex too.

Really, I will have to pay closer attention. I have seen a push fit fitting leak when I put a lot of stress on the joint, like bending on it. That kinda tics me off cuz I have a case of watts ball valves. I usually only use push fit on live systems that I don't have time to do it right. I have a big job coming up where we are adding water meters to individual units, I had planned on using these there since its 128 units. That sure would suc if I have a bunch of leakers.

The ones I was really concerned about were the copper body units.  Watts sure does seem to slap their name on any manufacturer part these days. Like their zone valves and temp gauges, I've seen lately

[Scott7m]

Sprinter I've saw folks put in a dozen watts push fittings and half leak the first year.

A buddy of mine who is a dealer also had a similar experience with pro bite, I'm not sure if it was a fluke but he goes out all the time to replace them that he'd installed that year

[Sprinter]

Sprinter I've saw folks put in a dozen watts push fittings and half leak the first year.

A buddy of mine who is a dealer also had a similar experience with pro bite, I'm not sure if it was a fluke but he goes out all the time to replace them that he'd installed that year

Oh, I'm not doubting you as I'm sure you probably use or come across more than I. I don't think its a fluke either but big companies whoring their name or product out knowing most won't follow up with a return or warranty. Getting away with sub par materials. It takes a lot of contractor complaints or an all out boycott to get something done.
The quickest I've seen is when the insurance company has to pay a loss and they have forensic engineers that look for faults and report tests and findings. No more is it just a payout, insurance wants someone to pay for losses when they can. This is exactly how some of the faulty pex and pex fittings issues were resolved. The little guy doesn't have that kind of power unfortunately. Thanks for the info

These are some of the brands I have handy, the viper lock doesn't have any ASTM label and isn't allowed for potable or indoor boiler use. Do your watts have that C-clip to lock the ring also. Cuz I have an older watts not picture that has bright orange release rings with no loc clip.  The copper body is Pure by Mueller, then easy grip:AKA gator bite, watts coupling low lead version, shark bite with the blue and biege release rings, shark bite Tee, both watts don't have ASTM labels but just an ANSI 61 annex G label.
This is stupid having to pay attention to label and brands. All but the viper loc came from Ferguson or heating supply house. Ferguson being a national chain really disappoints with the product line they carry and how often brands change.
On another note , see the American valve label on the viper lock ball valve, I have yet to use one that the packing nut didn't leak. Not a big deal, but it's not legend, Kitz or Appollo quality.  Sorry for the long post again.....