PEX and Sharkbites

I am replacing some of the pipe in my attic. What I want to do is use PEX to replace all the old (25 yr old) Galvanized pipe that is starting to get pin hole leaks.

i have have some copper pipes (main run of supply before it branches off) and all my drops are 1/2in Galvanized pipe with male threads.

i was planing on using Uponor/Wirsbo Aquapex PEX. Now the big question....

will the Sharkbites be OK to use.

Sharkbits will work between PEX and copper, but not with galvanized. If you are going to get the tool for the Wirsbo, just use the PEX-copper transition - it should be cheaper. Hopefully, you're also changing out the drops to PEX or copper.

to attach to the galvanized i would use a pex to female thread adapter.

the Wirsbo tool runs about $300. the sharkbites run on avg about $2-$4 more per connection then the wirsbro connection. with only 10 connections needed the sharkbites should only cost $20-$40 more then the wirsbo connections. now toss in the tool and the wirsbo setup will cost me over $250 more


is it worth the $250 to use the wirsbo connections or do the sharkbites hold up well.

i know most people have told be not to use the sharkbites because of the increased costs but in my case the sharkbites are cheaper because i would have to buy the wirsbo tool.

Can you rent the expander tool, or consider buying one then selling it after done. Sharkbites are approved and should work. If some of the galvanized is leaking, I'd expect the stuff in the walls is messed up, too...I'd want to replace all of it. Then, you don't need too many connections as the PEX will go around the corner and down into the wall without one.