Totally get where you're coming from, though I've had decent luck with push-fits even near my boiler. A couple years back, I redid some piping with push-fit connectors as a quick fix, meaning to solder them later... but life happened and I never got around to it. Surprisingly, they've held up fine—no leaks yet. Still, I regularly check them for signs of stress or wear. For long-term reliability (and peace of mind), I'd agree press-fit or soldered joints are probably the safer bet, especially if you're dealing with higher pressures or frequent temperature fluctuations.
I've had mixed experiences with push-fits myself. They're super handy when you're in a pinch or just need to get things running again quickly, but I wouldn't trust them long-term near a boiler without regular checks. A few years ago, I helped my brother redo some of his plumbing, and we used push-fits temporarily. They seemed fine at first, but after about a year, one started dripping slightly—nothing catastrophic, but enough to make me uneasy.
If you're comfortable soldering, I'd definitely recommend going that route for peace of mind. Press-fit is also solid if you have access to the right tools. Either way, the key is proper prep: clean your pipes thoroughly, deburr edges, and make sure everything's seated correctly. It takes a bit more time upfront, but you'll sleep easier knowing it's done right. Boilers can be finicky, and temperature swings can really put stress on fittings over time, so better safe than sorry...
Yeah, boilers can definitely be tricky beasts... I've mostly stuck with soldering myself, but I totally get the appeal of push-fits when you're in a tight spot. Had a similar issue once—thought I'd nailed it with a quick fix, but ended up with a slow drip that drove me nuts. You're spot on about prep work though; it's tedious, but makes all the difference. Glad you got yours sorted!
Been there myself—those slow drips are maddening. I usually go with push-fits just to keep costs down and save time, but soldering definitely feels more secure long-term. Like you said, prep is key; learned that the hard way after redoing a joint twice because I rushed cleaning the pipe ends... Glad you got it sorted though, always satisfying when things finally click into place.
Haha, those slow drips are the worst... feels like they're mocking you. I've had my share of soldering nightmares too—nothing like realizing you missed a spot after you've packed everything away. Good job sticking with it, though.
