Real Life Shark Bites

What did you think we were talking about? Plumbing, of course! When it comes to soldering copper pipes, we get an “A” for effort, but a “D” for results. So if you’re like the rest of us and struggle with this complicated task, know that you’re not alone. During the few times we’ve taken our torch to the pipes, we only seem to get about 75% of the soldering to work. Clearly this is why plumbing is a skilled trade. With that said, I still think that it’s worth it to try soldering first, but if you just can’t seem to get it, or you need a quick fix, then Shark Bites (aka Gator Bites at Lowe’s) are the way to go.

When we bought our house, the plumbing barely worked. The house had basically been abandoned for a year, and the galvanized pipes had literally corroded so badly inside that when we turned on the faucets, we were lucky to squeeze out a drip of water. So we did what most people do and hired a plumber. Eventually we decided to upgrade to copper piping, because it is still the best option available. Herman’s Plumbing, a local company, had our house re-plumbed in a matter of hours. Plumbers are truly amazing to watch. They make it look so easy!

Several months later, during our bathroom remodel, we had to move the water supply lines over for our new sink and vanity. This simple sounding project quickly became a daunting task. We tried soldering pipes for literally two hours before we called a plumber to come to the rescue. We were amazed when even the plumber couldn’t get the joint to hold—that was a first. He finally gave up using his torch and solder, and ran out to his truck. When he came back, he enlightened us by introducing what may be one of the best inventions in this modern age: the Shark Bite. We were mesmerized at the ease in which it was placed. In a matter of seconds, the job was finished—hours of work resolved in a blink of an eye. Who knew?

Since that day, I have been a firm believer in the Shark Bite phenomenon. It may seem a bit pricey, but will be completely worth the cost if it saves you a call to the plumber. We actually bought a few extra to keep on hand just in case we encounter a plumbing emergency down the road.

We’re all about being honest about the good, the bad, and the ugly—and the truth is that most DIY projects require a “learn as you go” attitude. Before buying our house, we had zero experience in these areas, but during our limited time as home owners, we’ve found that the best way to figure it out is to just give it a whirl—the only thing you have to lose is some time and maybe a bit of your pride. In the end, you could save a wad, in addition to tucking some more experience under your tool belt. And before you know it, you’ll have added some invaluable skills to your growing repertoire! To all of you DIY plumbers out there, we tip our hats off to you—and if you have ever used a Shark Bite, we’d love to hear about your experience.

Good Resources:

Shark Bite Warranty

Click here and here to read more about Shark Bites.

Click here for a step by step tutorial on how to solder copper pipes.