SharkBite connectors fail from day 1 .... I did pex A expansion and I made a mistake with a fitting, I had to cut the ring with a hot blade, I still couldn't pull of the hose without the ring on it, its super tight, I didn't want to damage the plastic connector by cutting the hose so I just threw that piece away... the SharkBite's is easy to just pop in and swap, but you don't want those connections in the wall, they eventually leak, plus they cost almost double the price of the expansion or compression, I did my own manifold with pex A expansion rings, water heater, main, everything except the valves at the stub out for the water line to connect to sink because I did not have the expansion machine, so I said screw it and got the easy push connects from sharkbite, I only have 12 water lines total, I added a whole house filter, washer machine water box, about 5 shut off valves around the manifold and a water filter bypass, did the water pressure test, all of those compression connections and valves were fine and super tight, out of the 12 valves I had issues with one SharkBite drop ear and the SharkBite water valve leaking, theyre pushed all the way in, cleaned each pipe before connection, so before we put the drywall up I am going to home depot to swap all of those SharkBite's out because I am not trying to have water damage after all this work was done. SharkBite's are easy to use, cost more money but no tool to buy, thats the only reason I got these, but I have these push connects for airline(other brand of course) but these airlines always end up leaking and they need to be replaced, so I didnt really want to use sharkbite but was being lazy, I had a 2nd plumber come out to do the shower drains and even he was asking me why did I not use the same expansion rings for everything? SharkBite's are not good he said and to use the compression at least because the tool is cheap, since I don't want to buy the expansion Milwaukee gun for $500. Back to home depot.
