Had similar trouble with SharkBites myself, switched to compression fittings too—problem solved. Didn't check pressure at first, but later found mine was pretty high. Installed a regulator, and it's been smooth sailing since. Worth checking yours just in case.
"Didn't check pressure at first, but later found mine was pretty high. Installed a regulator, and it's been smooth sailing since."
Yeah, good call on checking the pressure—I overlooked that myself at first. Had a similar headache with SharkBites under my bathroom sink last year. Thought I was losing my mind chasing drips around until I finally switched to compression fittings. Honestly, wish I'd done it sooner... would've saved me a weekend of frustration and a few choice words aimed at innocent plumbing parts.
Pressure wasn't my issue in the end (mine was actually pretty normal), but I've heard from neighbors that high pressure can cause all sorts of sneaky leaks. Glad you got yours sorted out with the regulator. Plumbing's one of those things where a small fix can make a huge difference in sanity levels around the house, haha. Hang in there—sounds like you're on the right track now.
Good thinking on the regulator—high pressure can definitely sneak up on you. SharkBites are convenient, sure, but I always tell folks they're best as temporary fixes or in spots where you can easily keep an eye on them. Compression fittings or good old-fashioned soldered joints might take a bit more effort upfront, but they'll save you from those middle-of-the-night drip hunts later on. Learned that lesson myself after a few too many callbacks... plumbing's tricky enough without gambling on shortcuts, haha.
"SharkBites are convenient, sure, but I always tell folks they're best as temporary fixes or in spots where you can easily keep an eye on them."
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, I've had SharkBites under my kitchen sink for almost five years now without a single drip. Maybe I'm just lucky? I mean, soldering is solid, no argument there, but not everyone has the tools or feels comfortable with a torch under their cabinets. Compression fittings can be finicky too—ever had one leak because you tightened it just a hair too much?
I guess my question is: if SharkBites are rated for permanent use by the manufacturer and meet code in most places, why not trust them long-term? Seems like the real issue might be installation technique or pipe prep rather than the fitting itself. Just my two cents...
Yeah, I agree SharkBites can definitely hold up long-term if installed right. I've seen them last years without issues in some of my rentals. Usually when they fail, it's because the pipe wasn't cleaned properly or wasn't pushed in fully. Like you said:
"Seems like the real issue might be installation technique or pipe prep rather than the fitting itself."
Exactly. Proper prep makes all the difference...though I still prefer soldering where possible, just for peace of mind.
