This Old House: Easier Plumbing Solutions With Snap Together Copper Fittings
rockies63
| Posted in General Questions on
In this Youtube video from This Old House they discuss snap together fittings for copper plumbing pipes (starting at minute 4:25).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dB918L4rXk&t=17s
While I’ve seen lots of information about this type of connection for Pex piping, I was not aware that you could do that with copper.
Has anyone used one of the methods discussed in their own DIY project, or had a professional installer use one?
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Replies
rockies63,
I started using Sharkbites on copper about a decade ago for renovations in areas where you didn't want to be sweating joints. I find them easier to seat on copper than pex, but you really have to think through the sequence, since you need some slack to push the pipe in. Like any new product, and because they rely on a gasket, I have been wary of using them in areas (like in walls) where they will be covered - but I think what really stops their more widespread adoption is price.
I'm now using Sharkbites in places where I would have used a union, they come apart easily and are less likely to leak. They're great for hooking up radiators.
And they're great when you can't turn the water completely off, slide an open ball valve over the pipe end and close the valve. I used to do that with compression fittings and Sharkbites are much easier.
But too expensive for widespread use.
I went and watched the video, they also talk about the ProPress connectors, which I haven't used. They do seem to be popular among guys who do a lot of copper. The fittings are about 50% more than sweat and you need special tools but it's faster. There isn't really a good way of taking the apart.
I just started using the rector seal push fittings for hvac linesets, much easier than flair. https://rectorseal.com/pro-fit-quick-connect-sockets/
freyr_design,
Thanks - good to know about. I hate flaring.
these look like a great time-saver for HVAC work --
DIY people understand that these rectorseal fittings are for refrigerant.
they are not approved for domestic water use.
They're about twice as expensive as Sharkbite fittings, which are already about five times the cost of sweat fittings, so I doubt people will use them for water. $19 for a 1/2" elbow!
But worth it for refrigerant lines.
I like that a lot better than the Mr. Cool style linesets where you can't cut them.
Thanks for this! It just about makes any heat pump/minisplit install approachable as a moderate DIY.
Most minisplits have flare connections at the equipment ports. I don't see how this makes installation easier unless manufacturers start using rectorseal fittings pre-installed.
Rectorseal makes an adapter to go from a flare male to Pro-Fit:
https://rectorseal.com/pro-fit-3-8-quick-connect-socket/
First of all flare fittings are not all created equal and are a good leak point if they are nicked even slightly, or not made well. This also allows you to cut your line sets to exact lengths and not have large coils because you could only buy a 25' or a 50'. It can also save you money as you longer line sets are cheaper per linear foot (though that may be eaten by the fitting cost). If you are doing a whole house rather than buy a bunch of pre cut lines that are almost right, buy a single bare line (no fittings on it) and cut it to exact length and waste less.
Anyways, I have found these easier, even if you are just replacing one side of line set after cutting to length, than flare, and I think they are less leak prone