NEVER SOLDER PIPE AGAIN - 3 Ways for EASY DIY Plumbing
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- Опубликовано: 26 июн 2021
- Plumbing has never been EASIER with 3 EASY instant ways to work with copper pipe, replace valves & make repairs with NO TORCH NO SOLDER. I show you the LEAST expensive way through how PROS have pros have stopped using SOLDER in favor of PROPRESS & SHARKBITES & why
Manual Propress Tool: amzn.to/3A1dl18
Autocut Pipe Cutter: amzn.to/35TrSOH
Rigid Deburring Tool: amzn.to/3xSAYY3
Sharkbite Deburring Tool: amzn.to/3quCyNh
Rigid Proress Tool: amzn.to/3gUY9Lw
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal. 
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@@itsm3th3b33 Conveniently? It was exactly the same as he lower connection. What am I missing here?
@@SilverCymbal I also wonder about how you got press tool in there behind the other pipe. I think this is what he meant...
@@jackmclane1826 Ah! Ok, it was tight but still had about 4-5" and the tool was able to get right in there.
Best way to fix a copper line? Change it out for PEX and use a tool-less pressure fitting, (shark fittings). Your welcome.
the propress tool dent the copper pipe at 1:20 mark. is that normal?
“And you’re often working in tight spaces” Que the biggest crimpers known to Man.
My thoughts exactly.
@Bdbbejdjdb Snnsndndndn the o rings are more of an added safety feature I've seen one under my uncle's sink and he said it's been there for 4 years or so
The dude is a moron. I guarantee if your not working with perfect copper - Junk ass sharkbites will leak. Propress is nice but expensive. And u still gonna need that torch eventually so why bother.
😂😂😂
I thought that. Pleased I'm not the only one.
In my experience plumbing, I've been called many times to repair a leak to find a failed shark bite. Rubber degrades over time, but there are plenty of examples of 100+ year old soldered copper pipes still holding strong. There's almost always a way to mitigate the heat from a torch in tight spaces to allow a proper solder joint, and it should almost always be prefered when it comes to plumbing in my opinion.
Not to mention freezing pipes. Copper swells before it fails. If that happens with a shark bite, toast.
I would also add that Sharkbites are made from brass. Probably not a big problem in urban areas, but if you're on well water, corrosive minerals and acid can degrade that brass over time, and cause a lot of damage that won't occur with copper. Don't ask me how I found this out......
Can’t forget the tool he was using is way more expensive than any one time home repair calls for.
@@ottokriete1153 If your brass is corroding from well water, your copper will too. If anything that brass is about 20x thicker than copper pipe and low PH is something that needs t be taken care of for any metallic plumbing
Maybe you are one of the few that would come over for a very small job like adding a small section of pipe to an outside faucet. I've seen many times people can't get a person in the trades to even call them back for a 15 minute job. So, do you or others blame people for using a shark bite solution? I see many pros on these types of videos commenting about how something like this is such false info though.
I normally solder my copper lines but as a homeowner, and not a professional, I don't have to do it very often. About 6 or 7 years ago I had to add an on/off valve to my domestic hot water system. I cut the pipe where I needed the valve and, no matter what I did (turned off the water supply, opened all the faucets) I still had water pouring slowly out of the pipe. I bought a Shark Bite ball valve. Easy as heck to install and after all these years, not a drop of leakage.
Nice , but be sure its in an accessible area where it won't be exposed to freezing and where it won't damage anything valuable if it does leak.
@@user-qw5uc7fr6m- Follow that advice for propress also. Those o-rings inevitably will fail, and a press-fit is NOT something you should count on to prevent eventual leakage. Solder is still the gold standard, period. Twenty years from now that will be unanimously agreed upon.
There's no way I would trust it
True statement about Shark Bite fittings. Critics of Shark Bite fittings don't realize push-in fittings have been around and in use since early 1970's - with great success. We have been working with Shark Bite type fittings on emergency leaks for 22 years - with 100% success.
I agree in an emergency situation. An after hours call on a busy night or something. But we would always go back and change it out with a soldered/brazed repair.
Well I would not say 100%. I have seen them fail.
I replaced my water heater about 7 years ago. I used shark bites to connect the waterlines and also used shark bite cutoff valves. Absolutely no issues in those 7 years. I trust them completely.
In a few more years you will change your opinion. The rubber gets brittle over the years. Any water hammer in your system will accelerate the issue.
@@ChannelZeroOne
Most o rings in these type of fittings are made of EPDM synthetic rubber, lifespan 50 years..
I like epdm roofing but..
I don't know how long they last in closed systems, we just don't know yet. Maybe longer because there in closed systems.
Also,
Most fittings here in Europe are designed to give support inside the fitting to the o rings, they say more reliable because of this design, o rings stays better in place, less wear etc...
All installation companies here work with alupex and press fittings.
Where i can i solder my connections.
I love renovations, because there is existing copper pipe!
I tell my customer it's better to stick with copper and extend with copper/solder instead of creating a mix of systems with pressing alu on the remaining copper and extend with alu.
New building alupex uponor because everyone else here is working with it.
It's standardized at the moment.
Faster therefore cheaper..
But long term quality?
We are gonna have allot of work 30plus years from now.
(That's for the next generation.) I wil be retired by then..😁
@@hittechniek5616 Most of the inners of a toilet are made of EPDM rubber. Noticed how often they fail. There are not under pressure for the most part but the black mess that gets on your hands handling the rubber parts is the rubber disintegrating from exposure to chlorine and plasticizer breakdown.
@@ChannelZeroOne Well, I’ll probably be dead by the time they fail so that’ll be the next homeowners issue
@@clos5700 lmao
I’ll stay with the torch and soldering it’s really easy to do and it’s cheap
i'd say that thingy called sharkbites looked way easier and cheaper, even better if it can last a long ass time. auto win/win right there.
I agree Ram 4570. A good solder job will almost last forever.
@@stevenandino8178 shark bites are NOT cheap!!! They cost way way way more than a solder fitting!!!! They also can fail
Exactly friend! Smart!
@@dellawrence4323 EXACTLY! I am so glad that I will never have to depend upon a young plumber. If I had to, I would never even give him my address if he answered "yes" to my question, "do you use those gimmicky expensive joints?".
After 11 years maintaining a 29 room motel and battling MANY leaks, I repaired every leak and remodel with sharkbite and never not one problem
You obviously live in a place that never freezes
@@user-qw5uc7fr6m PWAHAHAHAHA
Ya, northern Idaho never freezes?!?!?!
I respect that as a homeowner, he's still telling people to deburr yhe inside and outside of the pipe. Most "DIY" guys will skip the inside. That being said, a proper deburring tool is necessary for the inside to ensure longevity of the pipe.
I appreciate that. Sadly so many pros skip this all the time too makes me nuts, you can find dozens of "pro" videos where they never do it. Its a classic example of a defect that won't show up for years, long after they left.
@Silver Cymbal Spot on! Thank you for educating the people properly, sir.
My dad installed sharkbites in his house more than 15 years ago I believe. And he has NEVER had a problem.
Love sharkbites
Shark 🦈 bite are great 👍🏽
No connection with Sharkbites. They are the real deal.
15 years is not a time frame one would expect a problem. So 15 years is by far not representative. Depending on the layout, changing pipes can be a gigantic undertaking. Using a product, that makes the installer happy and thereby saving money on installation may work out to be a very expensive (and if you are a tree hugger, that translates to carbon intensive) mistake. So make sure you do your research and don't rely on information that is spread by industry lobbyist!
@@mrtopcat2 I just judge it solely by the fact that most companies nowadays are not only LLC companies which are a crock of unlawful shit, but the fact that most of any companies products have a ONE YEAR WARRANTY. So! Knowing that, anything that ladt LONGER than a year makes it feel like it was an okay purchase. So considering they lasted for 15+ years is quite the warranty shock.
I honestly never knew about these alternatives. I always thought the soldering was the only way. Very interesting video.
Hey, guy try out shark bite, you will be surprised.
@@bruceanderson7762 sharkbites are great for the occasional job where you need one or two fittings, I wouldn't plumb a house with them though because they're so expensive
Honestly, soldering pipe is still industry standard as it’s cheap and effective. Propress and shark bites are great for repair work that is really hard to get to after construct, but soldering pipe is guaranteed to last decades if done by a professional.
@@TheDpDrifter agreed, they're great for the home gamers
In cook county, solder only
October 25, 2023. Just installed the LifeSource Water Conditioning system with a descaler to the whole house. The installer used the propress cordless tool. Pressed 90, 45, 1-inch, 34-inch, and 1.2-inch sizes. He also installed a new city water shutoff valve. He installed two water bibs for use on the outside of my home. One for the spa and the other for daily watering. Completed the whole installation in under three hours. The last hour was to run the system to flush out the old scale and other pollutants.
Just used Sharkbites to fix my main water line. Had what was about to become a pinhole leak due to too much flux being used during the house constrution 26 years ago. The flux had settled in the pipe and was causing a small drip. Turned the water off, cut out the bad part of the line and reconnected with two couplers, a slip fit and and some new copper pipe. I used them on my old house when I replace the water heater. I love them because you can connect copper, to PEX or CPVC or any combo of the three.
Are you saying Flux from soldering can degrade copper pipe?
@@keith3761 If too much was used and it was an acid based flux, it can. It will settle in the low spots in the pipe and slowly over time eat through the copper. My house was built in 1997 and I noticed a copper stain and calcium buildup on a pipe. When I ran my finger over the pipe it came back wet. I cut that section out and repaired with Sharkbites. When I scraped away the calcium buildup on the part I cut out I found a pinhole. I estimate 3-4 months it would've failed.
Installed hundreds of Sharkbites & never had a single issue.... its a God-send!
The only challenging part is removing the old fitting's pressure-ring (for valves), in order to put on the new Sharkbite fitting. other then that it is super-easy... barely an inconvenience.
Damn I love those pitch meetings!
@@davidb7180 Good Catch! ... lol.. I was wondering if someone would catch that :)
And yes, agreed, I'm addicted!
My father and I have been using sharkbite connectors on pex and copper pipe for over 15 years without any issues. We have fittings at our snowmobile camp that have been removed and installed dozens of times during winterizing and have have never failed or leaked.
And no special tools needed
Every time I watch a DIY video it never fails some plumber or electrician will be in the comments flexing about their skill and how X DIY product sucks. Told me not to use a DIY kit to repair a squeaky floor, turns out it was fine and everything is okay. Told me not to use sharkbites, its fine and people have had lots of long lasting success there. Tell me not to use Wagos, well that's also bs turns out.
@@JG-yk6ny Here is a decent video for all the Sharkbite haters. ruclips.net/video/OOeBJ8mDr8Q/видео.html
In a freeze situation, sweated all fail, sharkbites often do not.
Of course letting a building get to freeze range is just asking for it no matter what. But its ROTFLMAO funny all the people going on as if PEX hasn't been studied for decades and decades and all the Plumbing Org and Associations haven't done real science on the stuff and gave it their stamp of approval.
There certainly are some knowledge and training you need to be a good plumber, lots of non-intuitive things to be taken into account.
However for fixing a leak, or extending a run to a new location, a lot of it is just as easy as it looks. You just have to follow the directions of your fitting/piping manf.
If it was rocket surgery it wouldn't be called plumbing.
sometimes these quick fittings work fine, but would you build a house with them where if they failed you would be cutting up a wall and replacing rotten wood and drywall to repair it? that is the real point of these videos, to make people aware that some things aren't replacements for tried and true methods. personally i prefer PVC over both quick connects and copper.
@@LygerTheCLawif you came to my house to do plumbing and said you want to use PVC I would tell you to leave my house. No real plumber is using that to plumb a house.
I really enjoyed watching your video. Thank you!
The real winner in this is silver cymbal! He is being monetized for a sore subject for most professionals and non professionals. Well done!!
The thing with SharkBite fittings, when you press them on, you will feel it catch on the compression ring and then you need to press again, approximately 3/8" (1cm) MORE. There is ALWAYS a second push for the SharkBite fittings.
And you should mark the depth with the deburing device to make sure it’s all the way in.
My solder joints are trouble free since 1956. O rings last 5 to 7 years. Then you get a surprise! Nice GIANT tool! Good luck getting it into the walls!
Where did you get info that orings last 5-7y I live in europe and i my house has central heating system and all connections to radiators are made with Alu-pex with 2 orings and screw. Its been 15y without any problem and most of in floor heating or radiators use them in my country.
exactly how im feeling after seeing this, great marketing, but complete waste of money.
as long as they are not made in the USA they will last easy 25 years and longer
@@ziggy7912idk what are tou talking bout but i dont see a single screw used in the video
@@olorin3815 read carefully
Thank You for supporting Clean and Green Energy and for All that you are doing for our Planet Earth.... Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. Namaste 🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ ☮ ❤
Your most out cold and useful vid I've seen of yours yet.
Very cool. I just bought that exact manual propress and can’t wait to use it. I agree that shark bite gets lots of slack but that’s only because many who install sharkbite don’t deburr and that can have a negative impact on the o ring.
Some plumbing supply stores allow you to rent propress tools as well (don’t have to be a plumber). I rented a Milwaukee M18 press tool to replace my well pressure tank and it only cost me $50. They charge your card the price of the tool though ($3500) and when you return the tool they refund all but $50. Great option for DIYers.
That is awesome, the electric is definitely very nice to use especially if you have a lot of work to do. I keep waiting to see a Ryobi or someone come out with a tool for $400 someday maybe
@@SilverCymbal I’m hoping the price will go down over time. I debated buying the Ridgid like you had in your video but just couldn’t bring myself to justify the cost. I rented mine on a Friday and got to keep it over the weekend for the same price. Used it to replace some 8 year old shark bite valves since I had it as well. Great video!
Yeah...umm.. charge 3500 to my card and it'll reject it.
I'm a computer science engineer with a masters. I don't know why it's in my recommendation but I'm glad it's here. I've never searched for stuff like this
All the little hand tools this guy has are amazing, I was interested the moment he pulled out that wirebrush towards the start
Like you, I used 2 shark bite on pex for a temporary fix, 2 years later, not in any hurry to change it👍
The other huge bonus for a well install is you know it will need to be changed at some point, could be 5-15 years so the sharkbites simplify that process a lot.
Really interesting. I’ve always soldered pipes and I’m very very meticulous about it. However I think these are good solutions for temporary or low pressure use. Unfortunately many people don’t solder very well or they are very sloppy about it.
Yeah there’s really nothing to it..
You're lucky if that an OLD OLD house and it doesn't have a gas water boiler or gas heater. A big KABOOM and you flight across the window is not worth it. PEX, or ProPress (press-fit), or flare fit (like the gasoline lines under the cars).
@@SSintox bullshit! ( see other comment)
@@Sean2002FU Agreed. Bullshit. At best very temporary.
This was magnificent! Please do an update to showcase the newest such tools that have come onto the DIY market.
In that first valve replacement, how do you get the tool in behind the other pipes to press the top connector?
The nature of shark bite fittings will make anyone think they will fail or will leak. But you're right. I've used a lot of them in the past even under fairly high pressure situations and I have never had one leak or fail at all in 20 years of construction work.
just wait another 10 or 20 years and they will all burst
Killer video. Quick and to the point. No need for 45 minutes of rambling on and on. Extremely informal thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world
I carry Sharkbite Max PTC to FNPT ball valves and PTC end caps for emergencies, running water, full pressure installations, crawl spaces, temporary use, mock ups , freeze calls and more
I carry the FMPT ball valves so that I can transition to a variety of brass, copper and PEX fittings, and they eliminate one PTC connection once I stop the flow of water
Good to know there’s different options… thanks!
These tricks are fine for short term (5-10 years) or "customer" jobs where you are not responsible for leaks a few years hence. For your own long term jobs (20-50 years) I definitely would solder, especially if the joint is going to be enclosed in a wall or under a floor.
No pro press joints are guaranteed for 25 years as well as nibco and other press fittings
@Yuck Foutube solder does not last forever, if it did plumbers wouldn't be constantly fixing old leaky pipes
@Yuck Foutube lol soldering lasting for ever, what you smoking.
@@joshd270 They have found soldered pipes in Egyptian pyramids that are still rock solid. Trust me... if the Egyptians had used Shark Bite?? Those pyramids would have been flooded by now... guaranteed.
@@jeromenorman1369 Let's see if they honor the guarantee and fix your flooded house! They will give you your $3.50 back you paid for it and that's it.
My company switched to propress for all our jobs to save time. The fittings work just as well as solder most of the time. But the fittings are more expensive than regular. As for sharkbites, I have used them for temp fixes, but ive also been on a job where a 15 yr old hotel had joints burst monthly due to over use of sharkbites to save time. The design may have gotten better since then, but realize that water will push even soldered joints off after 70-100 years. All you do with sharkbites is halve that number. This doesn't sound like a problem until you realize you might be paying off your house that you do the work in for 30+ years or if you plan to live in the house well into your older years.
"water will push off soldered joints"
That's a new one to me
@@JoeTaber It will either push through the solder or copper through a pin hole or push the whole joint off given enough time like i said. Running water under pressure is no joke. Look into thrust blocks for larger pipes for a larger example. But in old buildings I have seen old solder joints pop off and have had seminars from X ray techs that get sent out by insurance companies to look into such leaks and failures when its needed. The weirdest thing is that the water actually makes little "hoove" prints in the pipe facing the opposite direction of the flow with solder joints.
@@JoeTaber One of the reasons water hammer suppresors are used now. Given enough time water will find a way through even a solid copper pipe / solder joint.
Hotels also have much higher water pressure than an average home. The Hotel I worked at, had more than triple the pressure of my house.
BINGO! Details. Details.
I put sharkbites on my washer two years ago and they are still holding. The best idea I've seen it a while.
Thanks for the informative video. The only downside of Pro Press fittings is that I see no way to remove them. Shark Bite has the downside of swiveling, more apparent when it's a valve. In tight areas where an open flame is an issue, an electric pipe soldering tool does the job. Though I prefer soldering, I have used PEX pipe, push type fittings and even cpvc for certain applications. If done properly, all these systems work well.
I have been using shark bites in various applications for 10+ years. Most important thing is ensuring a square cut on the copper or PEX. Only failure I have ever seen (in neighbors home) was due to a pipe not cut square, resulting in disproportionately distributed pressure on the fitting. They are even approved for burying in concrete. Not sure I would do that, but contractors do it regularly here...
I do a lot of potable water plumbing as a gas fitter and square cuts and proper support are both key to any successful installation and it also shows you took the time to do a good job. Time well spent. 👍 Be proud of your work, don't take shortcuts, you get less leaks.
Rubber O ring will never last as long as solder and copper. This new idea is only to make the Inventor money. if it ain't broke don't fix it.
You can also open the shark bite with an open end wrench when you lose the special tool only to find it after the job is done.
yeahp i lol at special tool
you're so practical,
@@charlesgeorge8111 its way better and serves the same function, just use your adjustable wrench.
@@tylerp5839 about 'using an alternative for the moment; finding the special item after the job done', many can relate to; I keep things so safe even from self,
I love shark bites and have had a lot of quick success with them. Will only use them in areas that are visibly accessible and never behind a wall or ceiling, so that if they start to leak after a few decades it is easy to see and redo. Was not aware of the manual clamp option, if I ever need to do a fix that would be behind a wall would probably spring for that tool. Thanks.
I like using them for a toilet shut off valve or sink valve, easy to throw on with open access. Behind a wall or foundation though I just use pex crimp fittings or solder
I have had a similar experience with using push fittings for copper pipe. I have not used solder for many years. When installing new water lines or replacing damaged copper pipes I have made the switch to Pex B tubing. I use the rings with a hand crimping tool. However, I plan on upgrading to a battery powered crimping tool before a project this spring which will involve a significant amount of crimping, including in some tight spaces.
I recently had some pluming to be done around the house and called in the pros. They used something similar to the Sharkbite on everything and after they left I was left wondering why I needed to pay a professional to do that.
@@auspicioustoot #technicallythetruth
Its alright, now you know
thats ok do it yourself next time and than a plumber after you fuck it up royally so he can charged you triple
Because the pro-press kits are close to 10 grand and those pros spent years learning the trade.
Go ahead - try it yourself. See how many leaks you get.
@@alexanderblakeney226 As a plumber most of my calls are do it yourselfer's that got in way over their head. It's a lot more money if I have to fix their screw-up's before Fixing it properly. You can't teach 20 years of experience. There's a reason you call the pro's, flood damage is expensive. I've seen it happen more than a few times. Also pro-press is good but the gasket's fail over time, water eats rubber, they last 5-10years depending how often and your water conditions (i.e Hardness of the water) Solder is tried and tested and proven to last 30 years minimum. Solder is a difficult skill to master but a perfect solder joint is better than anything. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Plastic is Junk, Rubber is ok but will fail eventually and you better hope your around when it does eventually fail on you.
It’s a good thing rubber o rings never deteriorate LOL I Can see a lot of leaks coming in 10-20 years
just remove and pop on another shark-bite.. easy peasy
Most people don't stay in their homes that long so it's not really their problem if it leaks down the road.
The water will most likely never touch the o-ring. The copper to copper seal it creates can hold water alone
@@tylerjantz882 That I'd like to see. Should be easy enough to remove the o-rings and show it.
The problem is, any movement can break the seal. The rubber of the o-rings will help with that for a while but rubber and plastics get hard and brittle over time.
@@chaos.corner the manufactures test these fittings at 200 psi with no o-ring
Sharkbites work for sure! I put a Sharkbite to connect a sillcock inside the wall because the city shutoff valve leaked, making soldering impossible. 7 1/2 years later, I reused the same SB coupling and still, no leaks!!😮
Thank you for sharing this, Adios Torch ! ✌️
The whole time I am thinking replacing with pex at the end of the day is still easier, cheap materials and affordable tools... But still a very interesting video!
All leaks that I have seen in the last years happened with the various solderless connections. Not one on a soldered connection. Solderless is just fast and cheap for the contractor.
Reasons for the leaks were various. If you rely on a rubber seal, your connection will eventually leak. Sooner or later! Rubber gets brittle over time and is easily damaged by wrong handling and some tiny carelessness by the tradesmen, who make their money by being fast. A tiny damage on the o ring that you won't notice - a small chip from the reamer or an incomplete deburring = leak. And even if everything is done perfectly, you won't have the longevity of a proper soldered connection, because you rely on a rubber ring with plasticizers...
Well said.
It's not cheaper, propress fittings cost like 5x as much as regular soldered fittings.
And it's not just a regular rubber seal like you see in your garden hoses in there. If it were it wouldn't cost 5x as much as regular fittings now would it? It's a specially engineered rubber seal with a rating of 50 years. Propress has been around since the 90's and I have yet to see one of these seals fail on its own. The few propress failures I have seen were due to improper installation which is the real problem with these. It's easy so everybody thinks they can do it but yet they still manage to screw it up and then people like you blame it on the product when it's not. It's user error. No different than a poorly soldered joint leaking prematurely and since most new guys today can't solder to save their lives, propress is probably the better bet.
@@losferwords100 Overall they are cheaper, and this is why it's done. Part cost is higher, but a plumber can crimp many times the fittings per hour than he could solder. What is a contractor per hour at your place? These prices are ridiculous!
In my job I have a leak about once a year. Half of the joints are soldered joints, the other half are press fittings of various types. I've been here for 6 years now and only press fits ever leaked. I can just describe my sentiment like this. I agree, it is probably possible to do it better. But as a matter of fact here: Press fittings leak at least 6 times more often.
I solder all my connections myself. Learned it from my dad when we were building our home back then, and it's not rocket science.
@@jackmclane1826 crap, nothing more nothing less.
I agree all quick connections suck even worse in colder climates the plastic n the shark bites freeze then crack then fail I’d only recommend quick connections under sinks n a control climate temperatures
Compression fittings are the best alternative especially if you have high water pressure. Shark bite fittings can "pop off" under higher pressure
I have been watching and learning how to do my own minor plumbing, I have been using compression fittings since I can't afford the fancy tool you showed for crimping and at times you can't get the tool in where you need it. I'm surprised you never mention the compression fitting route as an alternative. I also have use shark bites in more than one occasion.
Thank you for the video..
Learn to solder it's easy and better
Soldering is literally impossible to fail, put some flux on, hit it with a torch until solder replaces the flux. I have an Iq of 70 and have done the plumbing in 3 houses now without a single fail point.
We are using the Pro Press since more than 20 years in Germany.
Thats old stuff
Hard to imagine you would put those in a wall and seal it in there!
Yes. Daily since 15 years here. No issues
Plumbers in the US don't get a minimum of a month vacation every year. The more expensive and harder to obtain a plumber, the cheaper ANY kind of DIY plumbing looks. Every tool invented by man can be misused by another man too lazy to read instructions.
After 20 years mine leaked
Unopor.
Personally I would be skeptical about O-Ring sealed copper in the construction of a building. Soldered copper connections have been proven to basically be good for the life of the building but I know from experience that O-Rings often harden or crack over extended periods of time.
Its a mitigation tactic, not intended for every day operational use. Just sayin.
Soldering is great but you have to be sure that the house doesn't have a gas water boiler or gas heater. A big KABOOM and you flight across the window is not worth it. PEX, or ProPress (press-fit), or flare fit (like the gasoline lines under the cars).
@@SSintox that's nonesence!! I've done miles of copper pipe in basements that have NG furnaces and boilers.....Common sense applies here, if you go into a basement and smell gass, obviously your not firing up your torch!!!
Hello!!!!
I've soldered my friend's whole top floor and we did it for the first time in our life. As it is with many jobs, it's not hard you just have to be dligent.
this guy sucks shark bites are SUPER bad. They leak very offten.
Thank you
As a plumber of 40 years I’m still using copper and soldered joints, I remember the acorn plastic pipes coming out and I said it will leak after 10 years and it does ,I remember a customer having every pipe in a new house in plastic, I told her it will being replaced in 10 years and it exactly was and destroyed the house,
I agree that shark bites are perfect if you are doing small jobs, but the expense adds up quickly as a job scales up. If I have the time, I'll solder the joints. If I had the money, definitely a pro press.
Disagree. They are total junk. When you rely on an O ring to make the seal it will always be unreliable. I'm a plumber so speaking from experience on the occasions i attend bursts/leaks 9 times out of 10 its a due to this type of fitting. I attend these leaks often
No, the O rings degrade over time and cause leaks. Learn how to do solder joints properly and they will never leak, it is a basic plumbing skill and easy to do if you just use the correct procedure.
An induction brazing tool for copper costs a bit more than propress, but lets you solder joints much faster than propress, especially if you use the solder rings. Portable oxy-propane is also a step up, you can solder a joint from cold in 10 seconds if you're good with it.
@@schrodingerscat1863 yet he we are and I have a solder joint leak in an old house. sharkbites it is!
Best DIY tips on you tube, this tip is a big money saver 👍🙏🏽😁
Thank you. Now adays plumbers are big money there work is well deserved but if a homeowner can even change a valve themselves you can save sometimes hundreds of dollars so it always pays to be ready
Thanks to intro many ideas
Thank you ‼️
Old school soldering works more good than new alternatives!
Shark bites have saved me SO many times. Love them
FANTASTIC ! THANK YOU
Sweating pipes is super easy, and using a silver bearing solder will guarantee no leaks. Preheat the pipe in front of the joint, and then heat the joint. Works every time. For tight spots that are around burnables, use a solder blanket.
You clearly missed the whole point of the video.
Sweating is not simple and takes experience. I've seen many plumbers screw it up. Especially if you are working an existing pipe that has water drip.
The flux used degrades the pipe. I still do it, as it's required in certain applications. Everything has it's time and place.
Your comment about silver not leaking is absurd. Silver is used to avoid lead. That is all. Leaded solder still holds on non potable systems and doesn't leak either.
@@djaa7 I learned how to sweat pipes in one day. It's not that complicated. Depends on the flux that is used. Water soluble flux will wash away and not corrode the pipes.
I can see the point of those quick fixes. Sometimes things need to get done in a hurry and anything will do. The trouble is, in the long run, those connectors will cost you a lot more money. I just learned how to solder, and as long as you have a basic understanding of the process, it's not difficult. I quite enjoy it.
Not at all. In large parts of Central Europe, press fittings have been the standard for over 10 years and been in operation for ~20 years. Its extremely rare to find anyone still soldering copper pipes in Germany. Press fittings are so reliable that they are even commonly used for copper gas pipes. There are generally more reliable than soldering and also easier to use, reducing the amount of mistakes. The only downside is that those press fittings are more expensive. Most of the time, its still the better choice.
@@waterturtle2919 "There are generally more reliable"
Soldered pipes commonly last at least 50 years. The newer tech won't be proven for another 30 years.
Yeah, the press fittings are more expensive than simple sweated ones.
I had a new hydronic boiler put in last year, and the amount of piping in and out, zones, manifold, etc was almost alarming. Just counted about 25-30. Once they got the old one out, I let them be as I didn't want to be looking over their shoulder like. About 40 minutes later after hearing all this whirring and clinking, one of the guys comes out to ask me a question about the vent. I go in to look, expecting to see a mess, and no its all basically done and they just have a question about the vent.
Guys where probably 22-23, and with only one guy being able to fit in the closet with the boiler, no way you could conceivibly set things up to have completed all of those fittings with a flame.
TL;DR, If I can do 2 press fittings in the time it takes for you to do 1 flux and solder, then my labor cost is going to be close to 1/2 of yours.
And I swear I heard a whir/clink, 5 seconds later whir/clink, 10 seconds later whir/clink, maybe another 10 seconds whir/clink and on and on.
If you want to be competitive as a plumber, general or quoting, you are not going to be able to beat the price of the next guy using press.
Similar for PEX plumbers too.
Furriers, the guys who used to shoe horses along with blacksmiths probably said the same thing about them new fangled oww-tow-moe-beels.
Great explanation! 👍I've used these in areas that a torch would just be too dangerous.
Had the same problem not insured for that any more
It's not a crack pipe buddy it ain't rocket science
@@Hindukushsailing yet you still watched the video...🤣🤣🤣🤣
Cool something that has way more steps and cost more! Good job
Thanks for sharing this. I think my best bet is going to be SharkBite. I'm so glad you did a comparative analysis so that all who watch your video can weigh out their options and decide which fix will work best for them.
I did my own “shark bite” tankless heater install…no sweat. I bought the house 24 years ago and had to do all the plumbing repairs and modifications (water heater and getting rid of all the well water install due to new law) the old fashion way and like working that way but the new way is great.
Thats great to hear, I know they are super popular for that since you can save sometimes $700 or more on the install alone
Those arnt meant for permanent fixes
@@throckmortonthebrave6634 I used to think that, too. Sharkbites now carry a 25 year warranty for above ground applications. I think it is 10 under ground. I like the fact that you can easily remove a Shark Bite and reuse it, change from plastic to copper to Pex without adaptors. The cost is a different story.
@@thegreenerthemeaner i think it was origonally designed for contruction sites that only last for a few years
@@thegreenerthemeaner slow down. 25 years sounds good, by itself. With no comparison 25 sounds like a large number of years. Soldering can last indefinitely. There are 80 year old solder joints out there that are still holding and will for yet another 25.
Shark bites I believe cost more than double solder joints. Soldering is one of the easiest skills a person can learn as well. It’s sad to see a new generations give up high quality and easy for something semi-quality but easier.
Installed shark bites on copper for my water softener. Almost 20 years ago and those suckers show no signs of leaking. Recently used 2 old ones to transition to PEX lines on a new water softener, just made sure the O ring looked good and lubed it up with proper grease. I wouldn't use them more than this one time, but once again the fitting works great from the copper to PEX. Old school keeps me cautious of using them in hidden places to be honest, but again almost 20 years and no signs of leaking.
20 years is NOTHING! My home was built in 1957 and never had a leak!
@@maxpower9848 so it's quite a new house, what is your point ? .These fittings weren't around then ,greetings from U.K.
@@alemgas >Place your faith in new technology that's only been around for 20 years
>Go with established method with a long standing proven track record
Yeah, I'm thinking solder is the smarter option.
@@nonyafkinbznes1420 with that mindset you would still be fitting lead pipe 😂
@@alemgas Yes let's use modern plastic pipes instead. Microplastics are totally safe for human consumption. 🤣
Another good way would be compression fittings.
They are quick and easy and no special tools (just a wrench) and reliable.
No rubber seal that gets old.
I wouldn't do a whole job that way, but it is great for shut-offs and such.
Anything that relies on rubber seals will fail. Compression fittings are all metal so the best alternative to solder but really most of the time soldering is really easy.
Just turn the water off and do a proper job!
I used to work at Servpro and shark bites were life savers
I have used Sharkbites in a number of areas in my house and here are my observations:
1)It is critical to clean up the pipe end first, you never want to nick up the o-ring when installing
2) Use a good sharp pipe cutter as you want a perfectly round non deformed pipe end to insert
3) For copper pipe the plex insert in the fitting can be removed as it is not needed and reduces flow rate
4) Sharkbites spin on the pipe which can cause some issues on certain fixtures like shut offs
5) Sharkbites cause pipe to flex as not totally solid, you should support long pipe runs or they will sag
6) Multiple Sharkbite fittings close together are not structurally sound and will need support
7) Sharkbite fittings should not be removed more than a few times as it increases wear and risk to o-rings
8) Always mark the installation depth to make sure the pipe ends are fully installed
I would think most short term leaks come from deformed pipes, nicked up o-rings, or being removed too many times. The o-rings are pre-lubricated but that will wear off after being removed a couple of times. I have never had an issue with them but all of mine are less than 10 years old.
Very useful comment thanks
Sharkbite recommends that you never remove that plex insert, even while working with copper. They say it can damage the seal and make the fitting un-re-usable.
Just like to share some info about shark bite. It works really well in indoor applications(assuming install correctly with clean joints and length to specification). For garden or places with extreme sun light, stick with press or solder. Always watch out for UV.
Tell that to the guy that had a shark bite inside that blew and destroyed his whole wall. NEVER USE SHARK BITES or rubber o ring copper pipes
SOLDER only
@@nck4888Fully agree, I would Not want to be the professional plumber to receive the call of a failed 🦈 and then be sued $10000 over a $2 part!
PEX pipe is just as easy and also won't fail, so why everyone is racing to use push connections? It's partly to blame on hardware stores. For the past several months home depot Never has plumbing gas?
But they do have overflowing shelves of push connectors!
I've seen push connections fail, and it's always BAD!! and it's always under 10years. Ive never seen a welded joint fail.
@@nck4888 My 20 year old soldered copper failed sooner than my 24 year old sharkbite replacement, which is still going strong.
@@grimmpseudonym5941 you may have forgotten to clean the pipe after installation flux, rimming or cleaning is definitely key , I've seen more issues with shark bites , but that's my experience fixing other people's shark bites I on the other hand don't use them, period
Thanks
Just subscribed and like just because of you giving the shark bite tip... great overall video..thank you
Can also attest for sharkbite. If the preperation is done correctly, they won't fail. I've had mine for two years on pipe leading to my sprinkler system, zero leaks, zero drips, zero issues.
i use SharkBite's at work all the time work great for apartment maintenance and repairs
Fittings are stupid expensive though. $7-25 per fitting depending on part.
The installation gets cheaper due to timed saved, this has been going on I Sweden and other northern countries for more than 20 years
But if any numpty can do it without setting the house on fire, or getting a plumber in, surely it's money well spent...
Cheaper than a flooded house and a non plumber can fix it.
I was thinking that too. And the initial cost of the tool is astronomical for the amount of times you will use it. Easier to do it the old school way
@@Simon-747 i began to press fittings 15 years ago and stopped with open fire then. That's my daily work. We only work like this. Time is money
I wonder if the sharkbites could be used to build a lightweight frame for a hand cart that could be converted to a different figuration like a cot....I guess it would depend on the tensile strength of the pipes for how much it could hold...
Great idea, now I know where space shuttle designers are working. O ring design 101, the force must be directed through the o ring
Most new plumbing does not use copper therefore making the press useless. I used shark bites or a comparable competitor's push fit connections to do a large remodeling project. The cost for push fit fittings have become extremely competitive and when connecting copper to plastic they are the best. Europe has been using the push fit design for over 30 years . USA has a lot of catching up to do in many areas regarding construction.
Shark bite fans will be sorry in a few years.
In the meantime massive recalls occur for PEX over bad batches of plastic and people have to redo their plumbing...AGAIN lmao
Dude, you rock! Your videos are the best! Very timely because I need to replace my old outdoor copper faucet, and Sharkbite seems the way to go. If I screw it up, I can just cap it and deal with it another day!
YEP' JUST KICK THAT CAN DOWN THE ROAD....I'LL FIX THAT LEAK LATER, I GOTT'A GO JET SKIING....
@@fyx812 Ha ha ha good comment! I have to run now... Going jet skiing! Damn that leak....
Looks great as a temporary fix for someone with no soldering experience however I would question the long term viability of using a process with O rings . How long would it be before they go brittle and fail? Personally I'll be sticking to the tried and tested method for now. Thank you however for sharing your video .
You and 18 other people apparently know more than plumbing associations and standards organizations.
My Dad was a Union plumber among other things, so I get that it painful to watch Non-plumber Joe Average simply cut plastic PEX and pop fittings on and be done with a job. Currently in 2023, its hard to find a plumber willing to come out for a small job without a bill that would pay for a family of 5's groceries for a week. For a 1-2 hour job.
So far its been about 40 years in the US and longer in the EU and really haven't seen any uproar over failures, brittleness, etc.
Go ask anyone with a smidge of science education about which will last longer, a tube of copper or a tube of PEX. Copper has a lifespan of generally 70-80 years, whereas PEX is known to have at least 50 years. They expect it would be longer but they don't have actual official samples from before that in the US.
@@boots7859 Why you get so triggered by one guys opinion? Great your dad was a plumber. Mine was a doctor but i don't give medical advice. In the end soldering is a reliable method but to each their own. And if you can't get a good plumber with reasonable prices then search harder. It's not like plumbers are some rare breed. I had to go through a few plumbers before i found the guy who has been doing work for me the last 15 years.
Wasn't it O rings that caused the space shuttle to explode...😢
@@boots7859
there have been many instances of uponor pex A failures of the materials. Recalls have been made in red and blue pex.. where pin holes have been reported.. pex is not necessarily the best solution for plumbing supply.. 😂😂
Soldering is a skill. Done right it speaks for itself
These products are great for outdoor locations or where leaks aren't an issue. I would never use them in interior walls of a home and there's a reason why most municipalities building codes don't allow them either.
There are millions of houses in Germany and many parts of Europe, where the whole installation is done with compression fittings. They are almost foolproof to use. The way they are designed makes it quite impossible to install them wrong, without knowing it very soon: if you forgot to compress them you can either see it (they are still round and not shaped by the tool) or they leak as hell during a test run (leakage test). After duly installation they last almost forever. The o-rings are not made of rubber, but of a special polymer plastic, that remains flexible for decades. Never heard of leaking compression fittings, if installed correctly.
It’s hard to believe any type of o ring wouldn’t eventually deteriorate.
Agreed, but even soldered fittings can fail due to expansion and contraction, but time will tell. Perhaps not being exposed to air helps. Still, pretty cool seeing it used the first time recently by pros.
@@dj-kq4fz I had a plumber fit my shower blending valve and shower head. He never explained that he would be using propress fittings. When I saw the final job, I had him remove the fittings and solder everything. I'm no pro but it's too soon to tell how these fittings will last, in my opinion.
@@atroche1978 I totally agree! I have a lot of confidence in my contractor friend (whose crew did the work), plus it was exposed in a basement. with minimal potential for catastrophe, but, it was still an eye opener for me. I really don't blame you.
@@atroche1978 The only fitting I have seen leak after proper installation
Exactly. Well, there is always that same idea. It won't happen in their life time when it's installed. However, it will bound to happen and good luck to the poor soul who inherited the problem.
May have to get one of those press kits. My solders suck!!
Great video I managed plumbing at Home Depot these are fantastic. Shark bite forever but I loved the other fitting set up as well
Awesome, love it, great job, thank you so much for another amazing video, keep it up.
Great presentation. Thank-you.
Thank you Sir
i did my own heating system using rems press fitting. i got the press, finished the job and sold it for the same price i purchased it. :)
You're a brave man Silver Cymbal. I would be terrified of Steve Lav finding out about this video :D
Very true, you know what he would say about any of this stuff but in reality it does work very well.
Lool I’m on the floor, real shxt show momma
She's a leaka momma.
@@davestout844 lol
LoL!!!
For water plumbing I would suggest also considering transitioning from copper to PEX-a and using an expansion system for water tight connections with full bore ID for max flow and no restrictions.
Thats what I was thinking pex and the rings, and I never seen a house 13+yr older with copper plumbing this is oldschool lol
A lot of newer homes built in the last 20 to 30 years, I've rarely ran into copper. Copper piping was really for the upscale more expensive builds. Pex is everywhere now and to an extent was used a lot in the 90s and even 80s. Copper pipes are becoming so rare due to cost and is really becoming a lost art to solder since more times copper piping is removed for pex more often than not now a days around areas I work...which is in Arizona. Arizona is a very poor state with just a handful of rich people in it that control everything.
@Azazel rats love pex. No PEX. Use copper. Or better yet use Shark Bites. 🦈
In the UK we have Push-Fit which is like Sharkbite.
I have Push-fit connectors in my house that are 20 years old and still holding fast.
How do you know they're all still working? Would you do a pressure test to be sure?
@@kotk05 No leaks would indicate it's still working to me.
Grande novidade 😁 a 20 anos que utilizo este material 🤪
I'll say it again, most underrated channel on RUclips. This guy is constantly giving me great options for DIY repairs around my house.
Very much appreciated, thank you
It's literally just an advertisement.
Propress is pretty cool, but unless you have deep pockets or a daily need it's too expensive.
Stick to solding. It works if done right and won't burn ur house down!
It's like you didn't watch the video at all
@@ScorpioTear what some one made a comment before they got more than 5 minutes into the video?! That never happens........
You have too much free time.
Its a great idea. Same idea used on the big blue water pipes underground. All winter long they dig up the roads to repair them. I am not sure why because I am not an engineer. But lets image that copper on both side of the "O" ring corrode. Then the furnace breaks down, the pipes shrink do to the cold and that pulls the "O" ring over the corrosion. It might not keep the seal unless you compensate by using a method to prevent it. Easy enough I guess but they don't do it because it does not happen much. I would suggest if the insurance company won't compensate you for letting the basement fill up with water because you used these connectors....it could be expensive for the plumber who put them in to take them all out and pay for the new carpets. Make sure these connectors are guaranteed before you put them in and keep the guarantee in your safe deposit box.
Thanks!
I've worked as a plumber for 14years and the viega/ridgid/geberit preasure mashine have been used here in Sweden since ive started.
It also works for compressed air systems BUT you have to swap out the rubber rings inside all the parts!
For hot wather (in Sweden anyway) the soldered parts is less effective than these pressed parts and starts to leak a few years erlier!
And the machines is much smaller here to!
I worked as a plumber in Germany for 23 years. Since i have started we used only Viega Profipress, and never ever had a problem.
Why do you have to replace the Ring for compressed air? Never heard about that.
We only had to replace the Ring if we used it for solar pipe, due to the heat...
Funfact: i live in sweden (Östra Småland) too since last year december 🙂
@@michaelkastenberg6462 welcome to Sweden!
The original rubber rings cant stand the high pressure so it needs to be swooped out to the red ringt. We found that out the har way. The whole indtallation exploded. It happend to my friend.
@@johanramone tack så mycket 🙂
I checked it again, if you use Viega Profipress Fittings, you dont have to replace the Ring for compressed air.
I guess it was another Brand that you are using.
@@michaelkastenberg6462 Cool! Thanx. well it happend about 8 years ago so i gues they have improved since then. perhaps the hard way to =)
My house is like 50 years old with soldered joints everywhere and not a single one leaks.....
I can confirm shark bites saving our ass on a cold weekend instead of waiting and "hoping" for a plumber to arrive with an expensive fee.
Do you expect them to show up for free?
@@MisterTwister88 obviously no one should work for free. Plumbers, electricians etc are skilled tradesmen who should be paid accordingly. But at the same time, their fee(s) should be reasonable fees. I had my water heater fail a few years ago. I picked up a new one from Lowe's and I brought it home. I was in a hurry so I called a plumber to see what they would charge to remove the old one and install the new one the next day. A plumber told me no problem, they could do it the next day for $300! I couldn't believe it. $300 for about one hour's worth of work which is exactly how long it took me to do the job that same evening. My God, I know everyone needs to make a living but come on. $300 for an hour's worth of work? Sheez! My freaking attorney's hourly rate is $250. lol
@@OzzieAlarcon Maybe you should have purchased the heater from the plumber instead of Lowes, the total cost might have been less. You must go out to eat once in a while, do you bring your own steak for the restaurant to grill?
@@MisterTwister88 yeah whatever. Then the plumber probably would have made even more money from him selling me a water heater as well as paying $300 to install it. Whatever way you look at this is your choice. But charging a reasonable fee and outright screwing people are two different things. And in my case, I’m glad I didn’t let someone screw me for an hour’s worth of work for $300. That’s just highway robbery no matter what color you color it.
@@OzzieAlarcon The guy talking is clearly in the trade and rather you pay more money at any cost then do it yourself.
He makes his living off the trade and Doesn’t want overcharging customers to interfere and disturb his life.
Old School, Gold School.