Unless, are you sure you did not put the valve in upside down? Thanks to all that responded. I do know the valve is in the proper position. Thanks again. Joined: Sep 2, Occupation: Retired Systems engineer for defense industry. Location: New England. ON the Sharkbite, the internal stiffener is designed and intended to be removed if using it on copper I'm assuming that's true with the Gatorbite fitting as well.
Skip to main content. Report Issues Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. Go Outdoors Florida! Concerned about an alligator? Previous Next. Don't Feed Alligators! Be Alert! After examining their online brochures and specifications, I thought they looked incredibly similar. Other than PVC inserts that came separate in Gatorbite and Tectite packagings, they all had virtually same physical characteristics.
As suspected, Gatorbite and Tectite connectors even had identical stampings containing the source of origin and other product related information.
Results are within plus or minus 0. Anyways, I will show you how I ended up using 7 Sharkbite couplings in my bathroom remodeling project that saved money and time. If you found this article to be useful, why not sign up for my newsletter? Just look for a signup form on the upper right hand side of your screen.
Tried Lowes, HD, plumbing stores etc. You article contains several errors. Both products require California Proposition 65 warnings because the use Arsenic in their brass formulation. Arsenic is a toxic poisonous substance requiring that listing in California since Safe Water Drinking Act of.
Otherwise, very nice article. Regarding EPC owning both Techtite and Gatorbite brands, I did mention something like that it in my last sentence under the Gatorbite section. I bought a house and the basement had copper pipes sealed off with the Gatorbite product. Is the open end applied to the seal or is it the closed end? Would love to see a video of this in action.
Thanks for the heads up. One difference people might care about is where the fittings are made. The Sharkbites are made either in the U. Although not physically visible, I have heard the materials used in the Sharkbites are of much higher quality, especially the O rings, so after several years of service you are more likely to get leaks with the Chinese made fittings.
Nice article Kevin. I work at EPC, the tec-tite copper, non-removable is a very good product.. Parts are assembled, gaged, and greased again. Soldering works by fusing two pieces of pipe together using heat and a filler metal called solder. As the solder cools, it bonds to the copper, essentially one pipe. Properly installed and well-maintained copper pipe will last at least 50 years and up to 70 years. This is much longer than SharkBite fittings, even when installed well and using their recommended piping.
To properly solder your pipe, you will need to have several pieces of equipment. You will first need a blowtorch.
There are two types of gas for blow torches: propane and MAPP gas. Propane is the most common and less expensive option. MAPP gas, while more expensive, gets hotter than propane, therefore making the melting process quicker.
If you are inexperienced at soldering, propane will be the better option. You want to be able to take your time while getting used to the process. There are many types of solder on the market, and they all have different uses.
For soldering copper pipes, look for a lead-free option. Lead is not permitted for plumbing use because of its toxic effects on the body. Oatey is a reliable brand for lead-free solder and has high-quality products. This is used as a flow agent for the solder and helps it stick to the copper properly. Just like solder, there are many different types of flux. Be sure to get one that is safe for plumbing use. Oatey also makes a lead-free flux that reviewers claim to be the best.
Fire cloth is used to protect whatever is behind your piping. The blow torch can catch wood and other building materials on fire, so protecting behind the pipe is an important safety measure.
For this, you can pin fire cloth behind the pipe. This is a fireproof material that protects your workspace perfectly. You can also DIY a protective barrier by using a cookie sheet or a 10 can with the top and bottom removed and unrolled. A spray bottle of water is a good thing to keep on hand in case something starts smoldering. It is also a good idea to pre-wet any surfaces before starting to lower the risk of a fire.
Having a fire extinguisher nearby is a given whenever you are working with fire. If something does catch fire, you need to be able to put it out quickly and efficiently. You will prepare the pipe for soldering the same way you would for a SharkBite fitting described earlier. Cut the pipe as straight as possible, sand any jagged edges away, and clean the dust off. Ensure the pipe is free of any corrosion or left-over solder.
To prepare the fitting, lightly sand the inside, just enough to rough it up. This will help the solder to stick. Wipe the dust away before applying flux. Use a small paintbrush to apply flux to the outside of the pipe and the inside of the fitting.
Insert the pipe into the fitting and place it at the exact angle you will need the finished product to be; once you start soldering, rotating it can cause the joint not to adhere correctly, which will lead to leaking.
Turn on your blow torch and begin heating the joint. Always start from the top and work your way down. If you start at the top, it will be difficult to get the solder to properly adhere to the bottom portion of the joint. The heating process creates a vacuum-like process, so the solder goes in between the pipe and fitting.
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