[quote=FlyerInHi][quote=moneymaker]I put a ball valve in many years ago but used shark bite fittings as I did not want to use torches (oxy acetalene) as that was all I had at the time. had no problems but did have to have the water department replace their valve as it was defective at the street, they put a ball valve in as well after freezing the line with liquid nitrogen, talk about working quickly, they had to finish before the line thawed.[/quote]
Shark bites are good. I use them on first floor condos where there are no individual unit shutoff and the whole building needs to be shut off for servicing.
The shark bites pipes are cheaper than copper, but the fitting are expensive.
I have seen new houses with shark bites only with each application plumbed separately in a hub and spoke fashion
I don’t know if I would use PEX on potable water. I don’t think there has been any studies done if it is safe for drinking….then again, PVC isn’t exactly good either and lots of houses run PVC.
