Haha, I've wondered the same thing...do plumbers secretly judge our SharkBite handiwork or just shrug it off as typical homeowner creativity? I've used them a few times myself, and while they're great for quick fixes, I always end up second-guessing how long they'll hold up. Has anyone had one fail yet, or are we all just being overly cautious? Curious if there's a general lifespan before we should really swap them out for something more permanent.
I've seen SharkBites hold up surprisingly well in some of my clients' homesβyears without issues. Of course, permanent solutions are ideal, but honestly, you're probably fine for now. Trust your handiwork a bit more...you're doing great!
"Trust your handiwork a bit more...you're doing great!"
Glad to hear SharkBites can hold up long-termβI just installed a couple myself last month when tackling my first bathroom reno. I was pretty nervous at first, imagining leaks and water damage nightmares, but honestly they've been solid so far (knock on wood). Eventually, I'll probably have a pro come in and do a proper soldered job, but for now I'm feeling pretty good about it. The peace of mind from DIY-ing it successfully is pretty awesome. Sounds like you've got this covered too.
I've used SharkBites a few times myself, and they've held up surprisingly well. But I still wonder about their longevity compared to traditional soldered joints. Has anyone here had SharkBites installed for more than a few years? Curious if they really stand the test of time or if it's better to bite the bullet and solder from the get-go...
I've had SharkBites in my old Victorian for about 6 years nowβinstalled them myself during a quick fix. Honestly, they've held up fine, no leaks or anything. Still, for peace of mind, I usually prefer soldering for anything permanent or hidden behind walls...