With fair weather ahead, homeowners may start thinking of ways to improve their homes, which can lead to renovations of bathrooms, kitchens or outdoor spaces.

If they require adjustments to the plumbing system, home remodels can come with their own set of challenges for plumbers. It’s not uncommon to run into galvanized pipes or piping you don’t have readily available on your truck. Most of the time you won’t know until you get in there, yet the goal is to always fulfill your customer’s expectations while keeping the job on time and within budget. 

And on top of that, home remodeling has to be planned around the homeowner’s schedule. The kitchen or bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the home, so plumbing professionals have the added expectation to stay on schedule and prioritize the comfort of their clients. To do this, you need products that help you work quickly. 

Certain plumbing solutions, such as push-to-connect fittings give you the versatility to address different installation situations while allowing you to complete work faster. When you provide homeowners with quality results and can return their homes in a timely manner, you benefit from higher customer satisfaction.

Benefits of Push-to-Connect

While you may be using a range of tools and methods for different parts of your remodel job, here’s why you should include push-fit technology on your truck.

They’re quicker: Push-to-connect fittings simplify the installation process and reduce leak points, allowing you to make smooth connections in seconds. The reason: Zero special tools or techniques are required. Just cut, push and it’s done. Some push fittings, such as SharkBite Max, were engineered with impressive strength and installation speed and can also be used in wet lines, allowing for smoother connections — even if you cannot shut the water main off.

They’re reliable: While there’s a common misconception that push fittings are only good for temporary fixes and need to be replaced with a long-term solution, many push-to-connect products are formally cleared for permanent connection, meeting standard plumbing codes. And reliable manufacturers make sure their push fittings are approved by the Uniform Plumbing Code and International Plumbing Code for permanent installation. 

Some even go above and beyond the base requirements. For example, SharkBite Max fittings are designed with a reinforced stainless-steel collar for additional burst pressure strength. And for additional peace of mind, you’ll also find that these types of fittings are backed by a warranty.

They’re versatile: A major draw to these fittings is how much flexibility they give you during a remodel. For instance, you may come across pipe types you don’t have on hand. By selecting push couplings, which can be compatible with CTS pipe such as PEX, CPVC, copper and PE-RT, you can seamlessly work with multiple kinds of materials. Plus, many push-to-connect fittings are also approved for use behind the wall and underground (when wrapped).

They’re ideal for tight spaces: When you get a call for a renovation, you could be working anywhere in the building, including cramped spaces like closets, under sinks or up in the corner of a ceiling. While a tool-less install makes push fittings quicker to use than traditional methods, it also helps make your jobs easier no matter how much elbow room you’re working with.

With a more streamlined installation process, you can worry less about some common issues of working in tight spaces, including the following:

• Putting strain on your body for a long period.
• Wielding bulky tools that limit your movement.
• Potential risk of fire or injury from using torches in close quarters.
• Having crimp rings and clamps shift while you work.

Whether you’re working on rough-in plumbing for a new basement bathroom or installing an outdoor sink, push-to-connect fittings make for reliable and quick installations. With these tools on hand, you can meet any remodel challenge head-on while improving job efficiency and customer satisfaction. 

Jeff Long is the director of product management at RWC — a market leader and manufacturer of water control systems and plumbing solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications.