December 4, 2014
Best Way to Fix Plumbing Pipes for the Beginner. The thought of fixing your own plumbing pipes may be intimidating at first, but it really doesn’t have to be. Push-fit fittings utilize a technology which allows you to literally just “push” the fitting on to your pipe. Few tools, and no torches or soldering are needed with this method!
You can purchase push-fit fittings at any hardware or home improvement store, or online. One commonly available brand name is “SharkBite“, however, there are other brands that use this technology as well. The fittings come in pretty much every variety that a homeowner might need, including couplings, valves, and toilet and faucet kits. This is by far the easiest and best way for the beginning DIY-er to fix plumbing pipes, and one that we at See Jane Drill heartily recommend.
Watch our detailed, easy-to-follow how-to video below to learn how you too can fix your own plumbing pipes using push-fit fittings.
You can definitely do this!
Click HERE for Written Instructions
by See Jane Drill, Copyright 2014, All Rights Reserved
I realize this is an old post, but my tip might help someone looking at this video. I’ve installed several SharkBite valves and joints. They really are amazingly easy. More expensive than the type that has to be soldered, but well worth the extra cost. Plumbing is rarely situated in an easy to reach location, so being able to install something quickly and easily with no soldering (if you even know how) is a huge bonus. That being said, I did find I had to take apart the repair I made recently. I had installed a straight line shut off valve in a supply line, in the basement, to a hose bibb outside. It was in a particularly hard to reach spot, and unfortunately our main water valve is old and doesn’t shut the water off completely. Hence, I had water pouring down my arm the whole time I was working above my head in a cramped space. I didn’t realize as I did the job that I had pushed the hose bibb out 1 1/4″ away from the house until I was done. So I wanted to go back and correct the problem (by way of shortening an extension piece I had put in to complete the project). I bought the company’s Disconnect Clip to remove the valve, but neither my husband nor I could get the valve loose. The clip doesn’t give you much to grab hold of as you pull (or push) on it, especially in cramped quarters. What finally worked (for me, by the way, not my husband and his much stronger arms) was a vise grip. I wrapped it loosely around the pipe and used it as extra leverage for pulling on the clip. I wonder if you could skip the clip altogether and just use the vise grip, or perhaps a slip joint pair of pliers. Previously I had used an adjustable wrench for leverage, but it didn’t help. Maybe the rounded teeth of the vise grip pliers were the advantage that made them work. That’s my tip, in case you need to remove a SharkBite.