SharkBite Fitting

SharkBite is a brand of push-fit plumbing fittings manufactured by Reliance Worldwide Corporation. The name has become genericized — plumbers commonly say "sharkbite" to mean any push-fit connector. SharkBite fittings join pipes made of copper, PEX, CPVC, or PE-RT without requiring soldering, crimping, or solvent welding.

How they work: inside each fitting is a stainless-steel grab ring with angled teeth and an EPDM O-ring. When you push a pipe into the fitting, the teeth bite into the pipe and the O-ring seats against the outer surface, creating a watertight seal rated for 200 PSI at 200°F. To remove, a plastic disconnect clip compresses the grab ring, releasing the pipe.

Where SharkBite fittings are used:

• Emergency repairs — no torch needed, works with wet pipe
• Remodel plumbing — connecting new PEX to existing copper supply lines
• Tight spaces where soldering is a fire hazard or torch access is limited
• DIY repairs where the homeowner isn't comfortable soldering

Limitations and controversies: SharkBite fittings are code-approved and listed to ASTM standards, but some plumbers avoid using them inside walls (concealed locations) because the O-ring can fail over time, especially if debris gets on the pipe surface during installation or if the pipe isn't cut cleanly and deburred. SharkBite's own installation guidelines allow in-wall use; many building inspectors approve them. Best practice: use push-fit fittings for accessible locations and solder or crimp in concealed locations.

Cost: SharkBite fittings cost $5–$25 each vs $0.50–$3 for solder fittings. The premium reflects the time savings — a push-fit repair that would take a plumber 10 minutes costs far more in labor savings than the fitting premium.