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I braze copper tubing that's inches away from dry lumber in homes, it's easy to avoid starting a fire when you make the right precautions. Low temperature soldering is easy in comparison.

If avoiding the risk of starting a fire is the main concern I would use compression fittings instead of shark bites. Just my opinion, I feel like it's a better way to go. I've seen too many homeowners have leaks when the piping isn't perfectly straight or when any stress is out on the connection. Yes, I know leaks can happen in those situations with all types of connections but as a professional I view shark bites as something to avoid. Like @Mad Dog_2 I try to do everything the best way possible. Even if it's not the easiest, fastest or cheapest way to do it.

I see lots of mention of copper fittings leaking but not one mention of a sharkbite leaking. Which is the easier repair?

Can't make everything bulletproof but you can make it accessible to some degree, if not fully.

I sweat stuff at my house, but I'm old school and a little proud in the challenge. I feel unless going against what the fitting is designed to do, than do what you want.

 "Already, I am imagining myself worried as **** thinking about leaks and a blow out and a flooded basement. Do I need to be?"

As hard as it is to imagine, Sharks are allowed in many areas by code for buried installations!

I have used SBs as temps, and just as others have done, left several in place "just to see". I have about 4 in my basement right now at least 10 years - no leaks.

You won't get a blow out if you follow the instructions exactly, and that means first marking the depth and then making sure the pipe is inserted to that depth. If you ever get a leak, it will be a drip - I doubt a SB will blow off a pipe properly inserted. When I used them, I also deburred the cut and cleaned the pipe just as if I was going to sweat it to give the O-ring a nice smooth surface to seal against. If all your work is exposed and will remain so, then use the Bites if you don't have sweating skills.

Paul...my "Data" is in the tens of thousands of homes and commercial buildings I've worked in since 1985. Millions a liner feet of Copper sweat joints (installed since the 1950s) that's 75 yr old "empirical Data." I still see galvanized screw pipe on domestic water installed over 125 yrs ago still working...no.leaks..And then there's lead.

Your "datum" is based on what? Your basement laboratory & internet research? You need to crawl through some Plaster & Lathe suspended ceilings in NYC museums and Courthouses, St Patrick's Cathedral, Crawlspaces of NYC Housing projects & 1870s Gold Coast Mansions of the North Shore of Long Island.

Stay with your position that they are fast & require no skills..I'll concur, but Sharkbites & Propress outlasting traditional pipe, fittings and joining systems?? Nolo Contendre....Mad Dog

I have used shark bites professionally (Maintenance man) and personally in my home for years where they were visible and have never seen a leak. I have even used them on 3/4 pnuematic lines with 120 psi and they have been there for more than fifteen years. My own sweat work and paid professional sweat work have leaked due to improper heat or fit. They show up months and years later. Fire and skill must be considered before sweating. These days, because my employer paid for it, I use a propress.

I would use Sharkbites behind a wall, and in fact, I just advised my brother to do so in his 120 year old home.

Just make sure your pipe is cut square, no burrs, no dirt and is seated firmly in the fitting.

I would NOT pay a plumbing company to do a job and expect them to use Sharkbites.

Hi, I once had to sweat copper in a straw bale home. Took lots of precautions and all went well. Still, it was a bit nervous-making 😵‍💫

Yours, Larry