How To Install Sharkbite Fittings On Copper Pipes: Easy Guide

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I work on my plumbing sometimes, and although I am no expert at it, I try to fix the little issues with the water connection.

That’s when I heard of SharkBite fittings that made it easy to work on the plumbing by just pushing the pipe inside them.

I decided to pick some of these fittings up from the Home Depot nearby, but I had no idea how to get them installed on my plumbing.

I went online to find out how exactly I could get them installed.

I spent several hours on a few user forums and discussion boards where people talked about their experiences with SharkBite Fittings.

This article is the result of that research, and hopefully, after reading this article, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to get SharkBite Fittings installed on your plumbing.

To install a SharkBite Fitting onto a pipe, mark how much you have to push the pipe in with the deburr gauge, then push the pipe into the fitting until the teeth latch into place.

Continue reading to find out how to select the right size of fitting and what is the correct method to uninstall one of these fittings.

How Do SharkBite Fittings Work?

SharkBite Fittings are made from lead-free brass, making them more durable under conditions that would normally be seen in plumbing systems.

These fittings only need to be pushed onto the pipe or tubing, and the rubber O-seal will automatically seal the other end.

They are best used in plumbing systems that deal with hot water since they are made of metal and can withstand high temperatures for long periods.

If you need to disconnect one of these fittings, you’ll need a disconnect tool to loosen the O-seal and the teeth.

Find The Correct Pipe And Fitting Size

Before installing the fittings, you need to make sure that the fittings are suitable for the pipes you are using them with.

This is the only part of the entire process that can become tedious, but once you understand how to find the correct size, you can save a lot of time.

First, you’ll need to figure out the nominal diameter of the pipe you want to install the fitting on.

To do this:

1. Figure out the inside diameter of the pipe with a tape measure.
2. Follow the chart given below to find the nominal diameter.
3. Once you’ve found the nominal diameter, follow the next table to determine the correct size of the SharkBite fitting.
4. Select the correct size of the fitting according to the Nominal pipe diameter from this table.

Inside Diameter	In Decimals	Nominal Diameter
5/16 in.	0.313	1/16in.
13/32in.	0.405	1/8in.
35/64in.	0.540	1/4in.
43/64in.	0.675	3/8in.
1-3/64in.	1.050	3/4in.

SharkBiteFitting Size	NominalPipe Diameter	Pipe OD	Pipe InsertionDepth (IN)
1/4 in.	1/4 in.	3/8in.	0.82
3/8 in.	3/8 in.	1/2in.	0.94
1/2 in.	1/2 in.	5/8in	0.95
5/8 in.	5/8 in.	3/4 in.	1.13

Once you’ve figured out what fitting goes in what pipe, it is time to install it.

Installing The Fitting

Before installing, clean the fitting and pipe to clear them of any debris or foreign objects.

Now follow the steps below:

1. Size down the copper pipe and make the ends clean and smooth.
2. Use the SharkBite Deburr gauge to mark how far you need to insert the fitting.
3. Insert the pipe into the fitting and keep going until you reach the marking.
4. Make sure the mark you’ve made is 0.005 inches from the end of the collar.

That’s all you need to do to install a SharkBite Fitting to any pipe.

Repeat this for however many pipes you need, and you’ve made all of the fittings into your homes easy to work on.

How To Uninstall The Fitting

If you want to uninstall the fitting because you want to change your pipes or do some maintenance work, you’ll need to get a hold of SharkBite disconnect tongs or the disconnect clip.

For the clip:

1. Place the clip on the pipe with the logo pointing away from the collar.
2. Push the clip against the collar and pull while twisting to release.

For the tongs:

1. Place the tongs around the fitting with the logo around the pipe.
2. Squeeze and tongs and pull the pipe while twisting at the same time to remove the tube.

You might leave marks on the PVC pipes depending on how much force you applied while installing, so check the pipes to ensure there aren’t any holes that could lead to leaks.

When Do I Need To Change The Fittings

SharkBite Fittings are built to last thanks to their brass construction, but everything needs to be replaced somewhere along the line.

Like with most plumbing equipment, you can use a single SharkBite Fitting for around 20 years or even more, depending on the surrounding conditions.

If the place you’ve installed in experiences drastic temperature and conditions change frequently, the fitting would need replacement earlier.

But for the average user, 20-25 years is a good estimate of how long these fittings can go without needing to be replaced.

Final Thoughts

Although the SharkBite Fitting makes plumbing easy to do, I would advise you to get a professional to install the fittings for you.

Since plumbing is such an important utility to have up and running all the time, it would be better if you took the appropriate safety measures not to damage your existing equipment when installing these fittings.

I would also recommend when you are installing these fittings underground or behind the wall, wrap them with something that would protect them from the elements.

This is especially important if you’re installing them underground since the chemicals in the soil might damage the brass fittings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need the plastic insert for SharkBite fittings?

If you’re using a large SharkBite fitting with a PEX, PE-RT, or HDPE pipe, you will need a tube liner.

You won’t need them if you use PVC or copper pipes, though.

How do you stop a SharkBite from spinning?

To stop a SharkBite Fitting from spinning, use some silicone tape along the base of the fitting to hold it in place.

Make sure the tape goes around a few times and overlaps itself.

How far do SharkBite fittings push on?

SharkBite Fittings push into plastic depending on the fitting size and the nominal diameter of the pipe.

Consult the charts given above to get a clearer idea.

What is the life expectancy of a SharkBite fitting?

SharkBite fittings can usually last up to 20-25 years, depending on the conditions you have them installed in.