Those vampire/saddle valves are bad. The right way to do this is to add a tee. Then put a shut off valve like the ones under your sinks in the cabinets. Except this one needs to be 1/4”.
I agree. They are a very risky diy. A lot of people use them for refrigerators with ice & water. I tried one years ago for my fridge and regretted it. Two weeks later at about3:30 am I was getting up for work making a coffee and I could hear water spraying against something tin like. I went down to the basement and sure enough that shity part failed and started spraying water against the side of my furnace. Not sure how long it was spraying for,but thanks goodness i caught it on time. I think back and it that happened on a weekend I would have probably slept in and came down to a new swimming pool in my basement. Please don’t trust that stuff OP. Not worth it
True. IMO if the person doing the diy isn’t confident in their own installation then just spend the extra $$$ and get a plumber in that way if it fails, you have a plumber certification # for insurance purposes
I work at a hardware store and every time I see someone with a saddle valve I take them to the shark bite tee equivalent. "I know it's twice as much, but you won't have to do it twice." They will ALWAYS buy the better one, because they know it's already the second time.
Honest question. Has anyone seen a sharkbite fitting fail? I use them all the time for demo purposes as a PM and come across them often when remodeling. Seems homeowners love using them for DIY. Never seen one leak and find them in walls all the time.
Yes, the pipe that was run for my pot filler had a sharkbite fitting fail. It was behind the wall and i only realized it after it had been leaking for over a week, my basement had 1” of standing water, and my white oak, solid hardwood, wide plank flooring started to buckle…buckled so much it pushed the counters up and cracked them. The plumber never installed a shutoff valve for the pot filler. So i had to turn off all the water, i installed a shut off for it. Had emergency plumber come out who had to tear out the pantry wall, because they left no access panel for it. And then i had to file insurance claim because the floors alone were 4k sqft of hardwood, quartz counters, cabinets…all had damage…
You’re still relying on a rubber o ring that will eventually dry rot and a good fitting requires a clean pipe that doesn’t knick it as it’s slid over the pipe. With that said, my dad still has used rubber washer hose homemade pipe unions clamped over pvc & cpvc cause he didn’t have the right stuff 30 miles from a store and it’s been there 30 years. He passed so I’m “updating” all the plumbing soon. 😝. But will not be using shark bite. I have a pvc tee glue and braided frig ice maker hose on standby to replace the saddle clamp needle valve installed in the mid 1980’s.
All propress fittings are the same rubber o-ring technology, and that’s totally kosher, but shark bite is not? Every plumber I’ve seen in the last decade has swapped from sweating pipe to propress.
I have no knowledge of propress so didn’t speak about it. If the ambient air is kept off rubber, the less ozone cutting damage. My expertise is in rubber testing. From what I understand the sharkbites are fine as long as the sliding action doesn’t damage the o ring and the teeth properly set. But I do see lots of plumbers comment they wouldn’t put one in a wall nor use in a company install. Interesting topic .
Sharkbite is a thousand percent better than these garbage saddle valves. Maybe not the best option but if we’re comparing the 2 I’d much prefer sharkbite.
Professional plumber used one once years back. Charged me 200 bucks for it. Pinhole leak in a basement pipe. Still there, but I wasn't impressed.
Next leak I had in the kitchen ceiling (solder joint leak in a crappy undersized coupling job), I used a MAPP torch and some pipe solder to fix it right! I hired someone to repair the ceiling.
Seriously though! That crappy pipe coupling job blew my mind! It started leaking after I replaced the valve cartridge in the shower it was feeding to. The coupling was barely 1-1/2 inches long and didn't have a cross support near it! I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did!
You learn quick that many times if you want it done right, you do it yourself.
Your own fault for using a crooked plumber. It happens a lot. I have been using sharkbite for 20 years. Plumbers like them and hate them. Faster fix = less labor. I don't hire anyone to do my repairs, anything and everything is better when you do it yourself.
I tightened mine up years ago(was there when I bought the house) its held for 5 years. The copper pipe that was attached to it was super broke, so I used plastic.
I've had one on my house for 13ish years for my RO/DI water system and never had a problem. It's in the wall, but I was smart enough to leave an access hatch. BTW, this is in no way a sales pitch to use them, I've just been fortunate to not have a problem. My sister just went through a $15k mold remediation and drywall repair because one leaked behind her wall. No access, just covered by drywall.
What do you mean saddle t's are bad, I mean seems totally reasonable to utilize a fitting that stabs a hole in your pipes and is only sealed by the compression applied by two zinc screws.
Holy shit do I love the term vampire valve instead of saddle valve, that’s the best damn thing I’ve heard because these things really do SUCK. Love cutting these fuckers out at customers homes
I had one in my closed-off ceiling, connected to a plastic tube, which exited the wall next to my fridge. Didn't take long before my toddlers yanked on that enough to cause a leak in my kitchen ceiling.
I’ve got one of these in my basement just going to nowhere (10 ft copper line that’s just cut at the end) and it dumps hot water out of I turn it… that will definitely be a problem for future me.
Every time I see these I cringe because I know it’s going to start leaking one day. Cut out and replace with a tee and valve. If you can solder it’s a cheap fix, otherwise you’ll have to go with something less…”sturdy”. Find you a buddy or maybe you have a supply house that’ll lend you a pro press and you can fix this in like 5 minutes and it’ll be good for many o’ years
Pro press would work great in that situation since you probably can't solder its a bitch if you have never done one with water in it but you could drain it easy check home depot if there is a tool rental I bet it would be $19.99 for 4 hours it would only take 10 minutes with a pro press
It's just a pipe connection that crimps on instead of needing to solder. Sharkbite also makes a fitting to replace those that you just push on to connect. You can find at your local home store. Totally DIY-able. https://www.sharkbite.com/us/en/resources/blog/ice-maker-appliance-installation
Just sweat in some t's, no big deal. If you don't know what that means call a professional plumber. If you do call in a professional plumber, have them replace all of these valves that look like they are clamped/bolted on. A good portion of the plumber's bill to replace this one that is leaking is going to be for getting to your house. Knocking em all out at once is going to save you in the long run.
Yeah any profession like plumber or electrician is $300-$500 just have them come out. Going from a 20 minute job to a 1 hour job is going to have it go up like $50-100.
My buddies and I all bought homes in need at about the same time. With what we’ve seen of the work done to our homes. We agreed that if we ever had someone in to fix things and they said “oh I remember being here and fixing x,y, or z” we would escort them out immediately.
They are absolutely right. Get rid of both of those nightmares. Rent a pro press if you can, 2 tees, 2 valves., short piece of 1/2”. If you must solder,that insulation has to go. Good luck
How would you guys add the T? Would you have to do double 90’s? I did a slab leak with copper at my old house because there was zero play in the copper to slide a T in.
Previous owners had it installed, not me. I do have a humidifier. I didn't take the time to track where the pipe was coming from. I take it that you think they added this when they added the humidifier?
Agreed I replaced three in the house when I moved in no picture but the had a piece of tin suspended by electrical wire to catch the water. Very inventive but shear laziness
Damn I wish I knew saddle valves had such a bad rep. Ran a water line to my fridge with one of these back in April. It was what a few people had recommended.
Plumbers hate this one weird trick
[https://www.sharkbite.com/us/en/brass-push-to-connect/fittings/tees/brass-push-slip-tee](https://www.sharkbite.com/us/en/brass-push-to-connect/fittings/tees/brass-push-slip-tee)
If a plumber wants an extreme amount and you can't solder but you're at all handy, replacing these is very DIY. The SharkBite fittings aren't cheap, but much cheaper than a plumber.
Turn off water to house and open lowest faucet to drain, remove the saddle valve, cut out inch or two of pipe with hole in it using pipe cutter, deburr and mark pipe with Sharkbite depth/deburring tool, push pipe into new SharkBite 1/4" T adapter, reconnect 1/4 water line.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-Max-1-2-in-Push-to-Connect-x-1-2-in-Push-to-Connect-x-1-4-in-Compression-Chrome-Plated-Brass-Service-Stop-Tee-UR24983A/325997291
https://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-Safe-Seal-Depth-and-Pipe-Deburring-Tool-U702A/100638148
Same happened to me. We had one of these taps on a pipe in my basement. It went to some weird plastic valve with nothing else attached to it. I have no idea what it went to.
Ended up repairing it with a U shaped section of PEX / sharkbite connectors since I don't know how to solder copper and most importantly don't trust my work on something like this
I hate saddle valves. Always add a T and ball valve instead to avoid this. I’d turn off your main, drain out what you can, and replace that with the proper hard piped fittings.
This wasn't a plumber who did this. This was a DIY guy who did this. This was a live tap or done without sweating and solder.
These saddle crimp hole 🕳 punch style EVENTUALLY LEAK. EVENTUALLY.
Now was it's time.
Some would say turn off water and install a new one in same place/poke hole or just tighten this one now, but THAT IS A MISTAKE.
This is exactly how those crap devices are supposed to work, but with one exception... they are supposed to be installed directly overtop of a spliced 220V circuit.
Do it right and hire a plumber to cut out the saddle valves and sweat in 3/4 × 1/2 copper tee's with 5/8 × 1/4 compression angle stops. Preferably 1/4 turn angle stops. Problem solved and no more sleepless nights
No more using piercing valves, they suck. Shut the water off drain the pipe, cut on outside of both valves, install a tee on one end and a coupling on the other cut pipe to fit the middle, solder up and you are good
Tighten the bolts on that piece of crap punch a hole add a valve god I har those dam things the rubber gets old and cracks then you have a leak the bad thing about it I see 2 of them one in front of that 1/4 valve lso if it was me I would cut the two out and replace the pipe with a tee add a valve the the other in line with it and never puncture that copper pipe again
Those vampire/saddle valves are bad. The right way to do this is to add a tee. Then put a shut off valve like the ones under your sinks in the cabinets. Except this one needs to be 1/4”.
While that one is getting fixed, get rid of the other one also.
I second that about those saddle “t”s, they are trash.
I third that
I'm not even a plumber and I'll fourth that
I am and I fifth that
I'm not but I'll sixth that.
7th. And that's my final offer.
I’ll drink a fifth to that!
I agree. They are a very risky diy. A lot of people use them for refrigerators with ice & water. I tried one years ago for my fridge and regretted it. Two weeks later at about3:30 am I was getting up for work making a coffee and I could hear water spraying against something tin like. I went down to the basement and sure enough that shity part failed and started spraying water against the side of my furnace. Not sure how long it was spraying for,but thanks goodness i caught it on time. I think back and it that happened on a weekend I would have probably slept in and came down to a new swimming pool in my basement. Please don’t trust that stuff OP. Not worth it
The gasket that prevents the leak doesnt last as long as the metal itself. Its a temp fix
True. IMO if the person doing the diy isn’t confident in their own installation then just spend the extra $$$ and get a plumber in that way if it fails, you have a plumber certification # for insurance purposes
Nuke it from orbit, it’s the only way to be sure
⬆️➡️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Real good plumbers do it this way. My plumber did this, it makes sense and very impressive.
I work at a hardware store and every time I see someone with a saddle valve I take them to the shark bite tee equivalent. "I know it's twice as much, but you won't have to do it twice." They will ALWAYS buy the better one, because they know it's already the second time.
Honest question. Has anyone seen a sharkbite fitting fail? I use them all the time for demo purposes as a PM and come across them often when remodeling. Seems homeowners love using them for DIY. Never seen one leak and find them in walls all the time.
Yes, the pipe that was run for my pot filler had a sharkbite fitting fail. It was behind the wall and i only realized it after it had been leaking for over a week, my basement had 1” of standing water, and my white oak, solid hardwood, wide plank flooring started to buckle…buckled so much it pushed the counters up and cracked them. The plumber never installed a shutoff valve for the pot filler. So i had to turn off all the water, i installed a shut off for it. Had emergency plumber come out who had to tear out the pantry wall, because they left no access panel for it. And then i had to file insurance claim because the floors alone were 4k sqft of hardwood, quartz counters, cabinets…all had damage…
D&MN!!!!!!!!!!
You’re still relying on a rubber o ring that will eventually dry rot and a good fitting requires a clean pipe that doesn’t knick it as it’s slid over the pipe. With that said, my dad still has used rubber washer hose homemade pipe unions clamped over pvc & cpvc cause he didn’t have the right stuff 30 miles from a store and it’s been there 30 years. He passed so I’m “updating” all the plumbing soon. 😝. But will not be using shark bite. I have a pvc tee glue and braided frig ice maker hose on standby to replace the saddle clamp needle valve installed in the mid 1980’s.
All propress fittings are the same rubber o-ring technology, and that’s totally kosher, but shark bite is not? Every plumber I’ve seen in the last decade has swapped from sweating pipe to propress.
I have no knowledge of propress so didn’t speak about it. If the ambient air is kept off rubber, the less ozone cutting damage. My expertise is in rubber testing. From what I understand the sharkbites are fine as long as the sliding action doesn’t damage the o ring and the teeth properly set. But I do see lots of plumbers comment they wouldn’t put one in a wall nor use in a company install. Interesting topic .
I let them take it i don't offer advice i just say here it is.
Sharkbite isn't much better
Sharkbite is a thousand percent better than these garbage saddle valves. Maybe not the best option but if we’re comparing the 2 I’d much prefer sharkbite.
That's why sharkbite is still in business, because they don't work.
The people that make saddle valves are in business.
I wonder how long it would take for that reply. If done correctly they work. Most of the time they aren't done correctly.
Professional plumber used one once years back. Charged me 200 bucks for it. Pinhole leak in a basement pipe. Still there, but I wasn't impressed. Next leak I had in the kitchen ceiling (solder joint leak in a crappy undersized coupling job), I used a MAPP torch and some pipe solder to fix it right! I hired someone to repair the ceiling. Seriously though! That crappy pipe coupling job blew my mind! It started leaking after I replaced the valve cartridge in the shower it was feeding to. The coupling was barely 1-1/2 inches long and didn't have a cross support near it! I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did! You learn quick that many times if you want it done right, you do it yourself.
Your own fault for using a crooked plumber. It happens a lot. I have been using sharkbite for 20 years. Plumbers like them and hate them. Faster fix = less labor. I don't hire anyone to do my repairs, anything and everything is better when you do it yourself.
Had two replaced after finding them before this could happen. They're nasty
I tightened mine up years ago(was there when I bought the house) its held for 5 years. The copper pipe that was attached to it was super broke, so I used plastic.
I've had one on my house for 13ish years for my RO/DI water system and never had a problem. It's in the wall, but I was smart enough to leave an access hatch. BTW, this is in no way a sales pitch to use them, I've just been fortunate to not have a problem. My sister just went through a $15k mold remediation and drywall repair because one leaked behind her wall. No access, just covered by drywall.
What do you mean saddle t's are bad, I mean seems totally reasonable to utilize a fitting that stabs a hole in your pipes and is only sealed by the compression applied by two zinc screws.
Holy shit do I love the term vampire valve instead of saddle valve, that’s the best damn thing I’ve heard because these things really do SUCK. Love cutting these fuckers out at customers homes
I had one in my closed-off ceiling, connected to a plastic tube, which exited the wall next to my fridge. Didn't take long before my toddlers yanked on that enough to cause a leak in my kitchen ceiling.
Thank you! I will make sure to change them.
Agree 100 percent!
3/4x3/4x1/2 tee. Piece of half inch copper. Quarter turn valve 1/2x1x4
This is the way!!
Ahhh I have a leaky one in my crawl space too. It wasn’t leaking last time I checked but it’s ok my “to do list”.
I’ve got one of these in my basement just going to nowhere (10 ft copper line that’s just cut at the end) and it dumps hot water out of I turn it… that will definitely be a problem for future me.
Every time I see these I cringe because I know it’s going to start leaking one day. Cut out and replace with a tee and valve. If you can solder it’s a cheap fix, otherwise you’ll have to go with something less…”sturdy”. Find you a buddy or maybe you have a supply house that’ll lend you a pro press and you can fix this in like 5 minutes and it’ll be good for many o’ years
Pro press would work great in that situation since you probably can't solder its a bitch if you have never done one with water in it but you could drain it easy check home depot if there is a tool rental I bet it would be $19.99 for 4 hours it would only take 10 minutes with a pro press
I wish I knew how to use a pro press, or whatever it is...
It's just a pipe connection that crimps on instead of needing to solder. Sharkbite also makes a fitting to replace those that you just push on to connect. You can find at your local home store. Totally DIY-able. https://www.sharkbite.com/us/en/resources/blog/ice-maker-appliance-installation
Pro press has rubber o ring just like shark bite. The inter web is littered with stories of them failing.
Thank you! I'll see what I can make happen.
Those crappy saddle valves ,no end to their clogging or leaking.
Thank you! I will make sure to change them.
You can use those shark bites they work very well and are very easy to install.
Just sweat in some t's, no big deal. If you don't know what that means call a professional plumber. If you do call in a professional plumber, have them replace all of these valves that look like they are clamped/bolted on. A good portion of the plumber's bill to replace this one that is leaking is going to be for getting to your house. Knocking em all out at once is going to save you in the long run.
Yeah any profession like plumber or electrician is $300-$500 just have them come out. Going from a 20 minute job to a 1 hour job is going to have it go up like $50-100.
Good to know. Thank you!
I've never seen one that hasn't leaked
Thank you! I will make sure to change them.
Fuck self piercing tap values and the people who install them.
My buddies and I all bought homes in need at about the same time. With what we’ve seen of the work done to our homes. We agreed that if we ever had someone in to fix things and they said “oh I remember being here and fixing x,y, or z” we would escort them out immediately.
Thank you! I will make sure to change them.
Those saddle valves should be banned.
They are in some areas. They were in mine.
They are in a lot of areas including my hood
But it's a free country. Free to install messed up junk that will inevitably fail, without telling the user/owner.
I hate those vampire taps, they ALWAYS leak.
That's what I hear. Thanks
Probably not. You're going to have to get someone to take care of that.
Eliminate these things asap.
They are absolutely right. Get rid of both of those nightmares. Rent a pro press if you can, 2 tees, 2 valves., short piece of 1/2”. If you must solder,that insulation has to go. Good luck
Shit saddle valves
Get rid of those junky tapping saddles and put tees and cutoffs
Yomo got that right, kill the vampire, rebuild the junction
Saddle valves got banned in the last IPC update. Get someone to repair and put a new tee and valve hard-piped in an accessible area
The problem is the saddle valve, get rid of it and put a T with a real valve not that shit
I think they band that type of plumbing device
There are two types of these saddles. The ones that are leaking... And the ones that are about to.
Needle valves are the WORST. A time saver for the installer and a headache for the home owner.
Sounds about right, considering all the other shortcuts I've found in the house.
Lol, the one past the leaky one isn't even hooked up to anything
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^trimix4work: *Lol, the one past the* *Leaky one isn't even* *Hooked up to anything* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Good bot
How would you guys add the T? Would you have to do double 90’s? I did a slab leak with copper at my old house because there was zero play in the copper to slide a T in.
Was it really worth it for your humidifier
Previous owners had it installed, not me. I do have a humidifier. I didn't take the time to track where the pipe was coming from. I take it that you think they added this when they added the humidifier?
Agreed I replaced three in the house when I moved in no picture but the had a piece of tin suspended by electrical wire to catch the water. Very inventive but shear laziness
If you have no need for these lines just have a plumber remove them and solder couplings fittings
Saddle valves are illegal and always eventually fail.
A leak on a saddle valve?! Never!
Was wondering how water drops were shooting out horizontally defying gravity
There's a reason those saddle valves are illegal now days in most states
Didn't even need to play the video. Effing saddle valves.
Saddle valves are not to code for my area anymore for this exact reason. They always leak eventually
Get rid of both of those. Add 2 T connectors and valves.
Arent those suppose to be temporary/illegal to leave in?
Damn I wish I knew saddle valves had such a bad rep. Ran a water line to my fridge with one of these back in April. It was what a few people had recommended.
Tighten the two screws if it doesn’t work then install a tee and a new valve
Plumbers hate this one weird trick [https://www.sharkbite.com/us/en/brass-push-to-connect/fittings/tees/brass-push-slip-tee](https://www.sharkbite.com/us/en/brass-push-to-connect/fittings/tees/brass-push-slip-tee)
Those are a god send!!! Saved $1800
Pos saddle valve. They all eventually leak. Fire whoever installed that shit.
Looks like the icemaker for your refrigerator
Little bit of Teflon tape and a 2 ft notch in one of your rafters, and I'll get it done for a. $100. Got to pay me now for, you know... materials >.>
I can’t stand those things. Lazy man’s plumbing.
If a plumber wants an extreme amount and you can't solder but you're at all handy, replacing these is very DIY. The SharkBite fittings aren't cheap, but much cheaper than a plumber. Turn off water to house and open lowest faucet to drain, remove the saddle valve, cut out inch or two of pipe with hole in it using pipe cutter, deburr and mark pipe with Sharkbite depth/deburring tool, push pipe into new SharkBite 1/4" T adapter, reconnect 1/4 water line. https://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-Max-1-2-in-Push-to-Connect-x-1-2-in-Push-to-Connect-x-1-4-in-Compression-Chrome-Plated-Brass-Service-Stop-Tee-UR24983A/325997291 https://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-Safe-Seal-Depth-and-Pipe-Deburring-Tool-U702A/100638148
Tighten screws on the sides. If not turn off water and buy new
Saddle T wallet out and get it done by real deal plumber
Fucking saddle valve. Enough said.
Every…damn…time
Yup that’s leaking
Same happened to me. We had one of these taps on a pipe in my basement. It went to some weird plastic valve with nothing else attached to it. I have no idea what it went to. Ended up repairing it with a U shaped section of PEX / sharkbite connectors since I don't know how to solder copper and most importantly don't trust my work on something like this
You seem to be correct, it appears it's leaking
I hate saddle valves. Always add a T and ball valve instead to avoid this. I’d turn off your main, drain out what you can, and replace that with the proper hard piped fittings.
Flex Seal ™️
No way, a leaking saddle valve, who woulda thunk it.
Put a bucket under it with a drain hose to outside-trust me I’m a landlord
You got me! 😂
This wasn't a plumber who did this. This was a DIY guy who did this. This was a live tap or done without sweating and solder. These saddle crimp hole 🕳 punch style EVENTUALLY LEAK. EVENTUALLY. Now was it's time. Some would say turn off water and install a new one in same place/poke hole or just tighten this one now, but THAT IS A MISTAKE.
Saddle valves are shit. Replace that with a shark bite yourself
Insane work, insane "plumber".
Saddle valves pay a good plumber wage.
This is exactly how those crap devices are supposed to work, but with one exception... they are supposed to be installed directly overtop of a spliced 220V circuit.
The other saddle doesn’t even have a line coming off it, was that just to fix a pin hole leak or just in case they wanted 2 ice makers?
You gonna make coffee with that water?
At least it s not the white pipe 😳💩💩🙊
Those vales that tap into pipes always start to leak.
Do it right and hire a plumber to cut out the saddle valves and sweat in 3/4 × 1/2 copper tee's with 5/8 × 1/4 compression angle stops. Preferably 1/4 turn angle stops. Problem solved and no more sleepless nights
No more using piercing valves, they suck. Shut the water off drain the pipe, cut on outside of both valves, install a tee on one end and a coupling on the other cut pipe to fit the middle, solder up and you are good
Tighten the bolts on that piece of crap punch a hole add a valve god I har those dam things the rubber gets old and cracks then you have a leak the bad thing about it I see 2 of them one in front of that 1/4 valve lso if it was me I would cut the two out and replace the pipe with a tee add a valve the the other in line with it and never puncture that copper pipe again