"I Have Plumbed" Topic

At some point this year I shall be putting in a new kitchen. In the meantime, however, my kitchen faucet just had to go. It's the original builder grade from the early 70s and it's been on its last legs for years. I was prepared to ignore it/ stare at it balefully until the remodel proper but it recently developed steady leaks where the supply lines connect in addition to the leaks from the stems. Last night I decided enough was enough.

I have done minor plumbing work in the past, and I know when to call in a professional. This was definitely the former, but did I really want to sweat new fittings on? Y'see, past fiddling had told me there was NO way those old connections were coming undone, so I'd have to cut a little bit of the pipes and attach new connections.

Enter Sharkbite®! sharkbite.com/usa
Googling something like "connecting pipes" turned up these beauties, and further Googling of their reliability convinced me. So I went to the Home Despot this AM, picked up a cheap "temporary" faucet, new supply lines and two Sharkbite fittings. Cut my pipes with a tube cutter, removed the old faucet and lines, deburred the pipes, installed fittings and faucet and hooked up the supply lines. Presto! All done in about 20 minutes for around $35. USD And I feel extra manly!

If you're moderately handy, I definitely recommend these for small plumbing projects. When the actual remodel rolls around I will be using these again.

Good for you. More folks oughtta do their own home repairs.

I changed a radiator in my house for the first time a few weeks ago, was surprisingly easy.

Phil

SharkBite is the bomb for emergency repairs too.

When I was redoing my kitchen, my brother in law accidentally cut through a pipe. I fixed it in about 5 mins with sharkbite fittings

Even the professional plumbers I used use them now in many instances…

That was actually a selling point for me. When I looked at forums where professional plumbers talk positively about using them, I felt pretty secure.

My rule of thumb with this sort of stuff is to know what you can handle. I don't mind calling in a pro for something that's over my head.

A few years ago our condo assoc mandated that, for insurance purposes, all switches and receptacles had to be changed to CO/ALR (we have aluminum wiring). I was able to change all but one switch and two receptacles on my own. Those odd ones out, I looked at and couldn't figure what the hell was going on, so I left it to the pros. Saved myself $750 USD and all my work passed inspection!

I stay away from plumbing and major electrical work. Anything where the consequences of doing it wrong are very high vs the cost of having someone come in.
Glad the plumbing worked out for you

Jlundberg,I'm with you on that one.The most I will do is a handle or chain on a toilet,or seats/springs in my faucet.

Cuprumed, not plumbed.

Sharkbites do look good but I am not convinced they would work for me when I changed my water heater this past saturday. I am averaging a new water heater every two years and on number 5 in 13 years. They sring leaks and no two have been the same. I'm a carpenter but my Father in law sort of taught me years ago when we first bought the house and since his passing 10 years ago I've had to do it myself.