How To Install a Main Water Shutoff | NIBCO Press Fittings

Ive been a commercial plumber since '95. Whenever I'm fitting together anything involving rubber or neoprene, i like to wet all surfaces with soapy water. ..even nohub bands. ..slip nuts, I've never installed these kinds of fittings here in this video, but i would certainly soap them up before making them up. The soapy water makes all the mating surfaces nice and slippery so nothing binds up or gets pinched then it gets tacky as it dries. Anything that ends up inside the pipe rinses right out with ease. Soapy water in a spray bottle is an invaluable asset for any plumber to maintain. It's not just for checking for leaks or when making up rubber connections. Its good for remodels, before soldering around combustible materials, spray down area. Before cutting into wall or pipe, spray area to keep dust to a minimum. The soap makes it spread better, stay wet longer. I use 2 or 3 tablespoonfuls of dawn per bottle. That way, when it gets low, if im not near my supply of soap, I can just add water to what's left and its still soapy enough... Its handy when cutting rubber too.

Yes the ball valve works in either direction, but pay attention to where the handle may be as it swings 90 degrees from on to off. Otherwise you may find it hits another pipe, another valve, the wall, etc

I bought the Milwaukee 12 volt system, never looked back, if you ever hired a plumber $1000.- $1500 does not go far, most of the plumbing I do is under kitchen sinks, bathroom vanities, crawl spaces, one point to remember the press fittings are one use only, think twice, press once. One thing I will mention if you used a press cap at the end, that is maybe the most expensive press fittings, you could have likely put on another ball valve for just a dollar or two more and had a water heater shut off valve, maybe the cap is shark bite and you can reuse it, I enjoy your videos. When I replace a valve in a tight run like that I cut the valve, which releases the water inside and reduces the mass to heat up, heat and remove the collar left on pipe, wipe off solder, clean pipe, sometimes that half inch of pipe you save, saves a lot of work

I am an old school (retired) HVAC technician that has always sweat copper pipe. About 2 years ago I used Pex to install at tankless water heater in my camping trailer and shark bite to run a new water line in the basement of my condo. Although I have had no problems with either. I’m still skittish about these new fangled things. Any more DIY projects I have, I’ll go back to my old ways. The cost of the press fitting crimping tool is enough to prevent me from even trying these fittings. However, your video was certainly educational. Thank you.

I'm an old school DIYer and I would solder all the connections. Even if you have to buy a torch, the cost is a small fraction of other methods and this method has been used successfully for years. To me it's the gold standard.

One other tip, instead of using a Sharkbite Cap in general, I like to use a Sharkbite coupling with a short piece of pex with a plug crimped in. Then when ready to run more pipe, simply remove the PEX and continue with PEX or copper. I've used Sharkbites professionally for 15-20 years (since Cash Acme 2st came out with them), never had a problem.

Good video for the most part. However, press type fittings (including Sharkbite) are ok for external pipe connections that can be monitored regularly. Personally, I would never use press fittings inside of walls (yes, I know people do it all of the time). I have seen way too many press fittings leak, even when installed by so-called "professionals." Also sweating (soldering) copper pipe is fairly cheap and easy. Just make sure the pipes and fittings are cleaned and deburred. Use Flux on the pipe and fitting, and apply heat to the opposite side of the solder contact. This will draw the solder into the gaps between the pipes and fittings, properly sealing the connection for many years. Soldering copper pipe takes some practice, but it is a lot cheaper than spending $175 on a crimping tool that you may only use once or twice. Hey, we can't have too many tools though, can we?....lol. Finally, ball valves are great. They are much more durable and convenient (also more expensive) than globe/gate valves. Just don't buy thin metal, cheaply made ball valves, and they will last (almost) forever. When buying ball valves always look for "full-port" ball valves, so you don't lose water volume. What is the point of having a 3/4" pipe if the ball valve only has a 1/2" hole?" Also, water-knock can be an issue with ball valves on an often-used connection (like a garden hose). This is because the opening and closing of the ball valve is instant, and not gradual like with a gate/globe valve. However, this can be overcome by closing the ball valve slowly. This is just my 2 cents on the subject. Hopefully this helps all of those DIYers out there. 👍👍

That crimp tool looks like a nice quality tool. I have a Milwaukee Force Logic but I like the fact that you can use the fittings without shelling out $2000. There are some places where soldering isn’t safe. No hot work permit and no sprinkler heads going off but for $175. Nice!

I used threaded ball valve with thread-to-solder coupling. Makes it easier to replace the ball valve. Also don't want to spend $190 (tax included) for a crimp tool. Nice video!

I use that tool all the time on a 50 yr old apartment complex. Love it! No failures.

I use shark bite. Have it on my laundry room for my cold and hot water lines inside wall with an access panel. Have been there for 8 years. No leak, no problem. Great video!!

I owned six rental units with very old plumbing for about 25 years. Each time an existing globe valve would fail I would replace it with a ball valve (with a drain). I love them. They are very easy to open and close (1/4 turn) and very easy to see if they are closed or open from across a room. My father taught me how to sweat copper pipes when I was a kid, so that's never been an issue for me. Also, I only own close quarters pipe cutters. Once I found them I never bought another set of the regular kind. I use the CQ ones for everything with no trouble.

I Love the Idea, it’s not only is easier it also prevents you from from burning the house . $175.00 is a well worth Investment

Ya you replaced it! 😀👍 I'm a sharkbite skeptic, but also guilty of using them. I never put them in wall though.

I'm a plumber and I use pro press and mega press frequently, you did a good job ,but I would have pre fitted it where all I had to do was 2 presses on the wall to eliminate fatigue. It's much easier to sub assemble on a bench or floor then to do a bunch of crimps on a wall, also most jurisdictions require a minimum of 3/4 feed lines to water heaters

I encourage you to keep up with your instruccions, your videos or whatever you call them. You happen to be a great communicator!!!, therefore we are able to understand and review everything you tell us...!!

I prefer the solder method. It's old school but if done correctly will last many years trouble free. Installing the ball valve is the way to go!

I am not a plumber but needed a water line to a fridge with water and an ice maker in the door, the fridge is in an extension part of the house that is exposed to subfreezing temps. The plumber wanted $2000 to run 13 feet of pipe and valves to the fridge. I did it myself for less than $50, I put in the pipe, shutoff valves, and a place to drain off the water outside so the exposed pipe doesn't freeze, all using shark bite fittings and ball valves. did this over a year ago and still no leaks or frozen pipes. As a truck driver, I did well.

I had the boiler replaced at home and the contractor used this style of compression fittings. They did have to sweat a couple of the connections but 99% were done with cordless crimp tool. I think the time it took them to sweat the couple fittings was longer than the time to crimp the others. Also, with this system there is no flame so way safer from a fire hazard standpoint, especially in tight areas near any framing.

Soldering a new fitting is pretty simple and a lot cheaper, but this is interesting and looks like a good option.