sometimes you just need to stop the flood and deal with the “proper” fix later.
Totally get that—been there, done that, standing ankle-deep in water at 3 AM. SharkBites are like duct tape for plumbing emergencies, but I’m with you on not trusting them long-term behind drywall. I’ve actually swapped out a couple after a year or two when I was redoing insulation. If you’re into minimizing waste, sweating copper or even using PEX with proper fittings feels a bit more reliable for the long haul. But yeah, in the moment? Anything to stop the chaos...
Honestly, I’ve always been a little skeptical about SharkBites behind walls too. They’re a lifesaver when you’re in a pinch, but I just can’t shake the feeling they’re more of a temporary fix. I ended up redoing a section with PEX and crimp rings after a quick patch job held for months—just felt better knowing it was solid. Anyone else notice SharkBites can get a bit gunky if there’s any debris in the line? Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I always double-check for leaks after the water’s back on...
I totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve used SharkBites a couple times when I was in a bind, and yeah, they’re super convenient—especially at 2 AM when you just want the water back on and to go to bed. But I always wonder if I’m just kicking the can down the road, you know? Like, is this thing gonna hold up for years, or am I setting myself up for another surprise leak behind the drywall?
I’ve noticed the gunk issue too, especially in older copper lines. If there’s even a little bit of crud, it seems like the fitting doesn’t seat right. Makes me nervous about trusting them long-term, especially where I can’t see them. I guess for me it comes down to peace of mind—crimp rings just feel more “permanent,” even if they’re a pain to install.
You’re not being paranoid at all double-checking for leaks. I do the same thing... probably more than I need to. Better safe than sorry, right?
Had a similar 2 AM scramble last winter—water everywhere, adrenaline through the roof. Grabbed a SharkBite just to get things under control, but I’m with you, I never really trust them for the long haul, especially behind walls. One thing I always do now is clean the pipe ends like crazy, even if it means running out to the garage for sandpaper. If there’s any gunk left, those fittings just don’t seal right. For permanent fixes, I still go with crimp rings or soldering, even if it takes longer and makes a mess. Peace of mind’s worth the hassle.
