I’m right there with you on the “YouTube makes it look easy” thing. I just swapped out a faucet and even that felt like a circus act, so I can only imagine wrestling with crimp rings overhead. The fire risk with copper is what pushed me toward PEX for our shower redo. The idea of holding a torch near old insulation freaked me out—plus, I’ve never soldered anything in my life.
I did worry about PEX’s longevity too, but after reading up, it seems like most issues come from bad installs or cheap fittings, not the pipe itself. I double-checked every crimp with the gauge (maybe overkill, but peace of mind matters). Also, being able to snake PEX through weird angles behind our ancient plaster walls was a lifesaver.
Copper does feel more “classic,” and I get why folks trust it, but for a DIYer like me, PEX just made more sense. Less stress, less mess. If I had to do it again, I’d probably make the same call—just with more patience and maybe a better crimp tool...
The idea of holding a torch near old insulation freaked me out—plus, I’ve never soldered anything in my life.
You’re not alone there. I’ve seen more than a few scorched joists from folks trying to learn soldering on the fly. PEX is a game-changer for tight retrofits—especially in older homes where nothing is square and you’re dodging mystery wires behind every wall. Double-checking crimps isn’t overkill at all; I still do it after years on the job. Peace of mind is worth a few extra minutes. Copper’s great, but for most DIYers, PEX just takes a lot of the stress out of the equation.
I hear you on the torch thing—my first attempt at sweating copper ended with me singeing some insulation and nearly melting a plastic vapor barrier. Not my proudest moment.
That’s been my experience too. I did my shower swap last year and PEX saved me a ton of headaches (and cash). The crimp rings made me nervous at first, but after a few practice runs, it was way less stressful than messing with flux and fire. Copper looks nice, but for a budget project, PEX just makes sense.PEX is a game-changer for tight retrofits—especially in older homes where nothing is square and you’re dodging mystery wires behind every wall.
I totally get the nerves with crimp rings—my first few tries, I kept double-checking every connection for leaks. Once you get the hang of it, though, it’s way less stressful than sweating joints in a crawlspace. Have you tried the push-to-connect fittings at all? I’ve heard mixed things about them, especially behind walls, but they seem tempting for quick fixes.
Push-to-connect fittings are kind of a double-edged sword, at least in my experience. I remember the first time I used one—was swapping out a leaky shutoff valve under the kitchen sink and didn’t want to mess with a torch or crimp tools in that cramped cabinet. The fitting snapped on, no leaks, and I was done in like five minutes. It felt almost too easy, honestly.
But when it comes to something like a walk-in shower, especially if you’re running new lines behind finished walls, I get a little more cautious. The convenience is great, but I’ve read and heard enough stories about push-to-connect fittings developing slow leaks over time, especially if the pipe isn’t cut perfectly square or there’s any debris. For exposed spots or temporary fixes, I’ll use them, but behind tile or drywall? I usually stick with crimp rings or even go old-school with copper if I’m feeling patient.
If you’re leaning toward PEX, here’s how I usually approach it:
1. Measure and dry-fit everything first. PEX is forgiving, but you don’t want to be making last-minute cuts in a tight space.
2. Use a good-quality cutter for clean, square ends. Makes a big difference for both crimp and push-to-connect.
3. Slide the crimp ring on before you push the fitting in—easy to forget when you’re in a groove.
4. Double-check with a gauge after crimping. I’ve had a couple that looked fine but were just a hair off.
5. Pressure test before closing anything up. I usually leave it overnight if possible, just to be sure.
I get the temptation with push-to-connect, especially if you’re working solo or in a weird spot. But for something you want to last, especially in a place that’s going to be hard to access later, I’d go with crimped PEX or copper sweated joints. Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but peace of mind goes a long way when you’re staring at fresh tile and hoping nothing’s dripping behind it.
Curious if anyone’s had a push-to-connect fitting hold up for years behind a wall... I’ve only trusted them for quick fixes or spots I can keep an eye on.
