Push-fits are the plumbing equivalent of a ticking time bomb, if you ask me. I’ve seen them hold up just fine for a while, but when they go, they really go—usually at the worst possible hour. I’m with you on compression fittings. Not glamorous, but at least you know what you’re dealing with, and if you torque them down right, they’re solid.
Those old supply nuts are a nightmare. I spent half a Saturday under my aunt’s kitchen sink, trying to get one loose. Ended up snapping the whole thing off and had to replace the shutoff valve too. Not my proudest moment. But yeah, the labor costs make more sense once you’ve spent a few hours crammed under a cabinet, cursing at 30-year-old plumbing.
One thing I learned: cheap hoses are a false economy. I tried to save a few bucks once, and the “bargain” line split after a year. Water everywhere, again. Lesson learned—spring for the braided stainless every time.
Compression fittings have definitely saved my bacon more than once. I tried push-fits on a bathroom reno and, sure enough, one let go about six months later—right after I’d left for work. Came home to a soaked cabinet and a very unhappy spouse. Ever tried those “no-burst” hoses with the built-in shutoff? I’m tempted, but not sure if they’re worth the extra cost or just another gimmick.
I’ve had mixed results with those “no-burst” hoses, honestly. The ones with the built-in shutoff valve are supposed to stop the flood if the hose fails, but I’ve seen them get stuck or not trigger when you’d hope. In theory, they’re a great idea—especially if you’re worried about leaks when you’re not home. But I still wouldn’t trust them as a substitute for good installation and regular checks.
Funny thing, I did a kitchen sink swap last year and went with braided stainless supply lines (just the regular kind). They’re pretty robust and haven’t given me any trouble yet. Cost-wise, it was maybe $20 more per line compared to the basic vinyl, but that peace of mind is worth it for me. Ever notice how the “gimmicky” stuff tends to pop up right after you’ve had a leak disaster? Makes you wonder if it’s clever marketing or just bad timing...
Did you end up replacing just the hoses, or did you go full sink/cabinet after that flood? Sometimes it feels like one little leak turns into a whole weekend project.
I get the skepticism around those “no-burst” hoses, but honestly, I’ve had better luck with them than with the plain stainless ones. I manage a few rentals, and after one nightmare leak, I started using the auto-shutoff lines everywhere. Sure, they’re not perfect, but I’d rather have a backup than nothing—especially if a tenant isn’t going to notice a drip until it’s a full-blown mess. Regular checks are key, but you can’t always count on folks to do them. Sometimes a little overkill is worth it, even if it feels like a gimmick.
Yeah, I get where you’re coming from. I used to think those hoses were just a marketing thing, but after a surprise leak under my own sink, I’m way more cautious now. Sometimes it does feel like overkill, but the peace of mind is worth it—especially if you’re dealing with rentals. Regular checks are great in theory, but not everyone’s going to notice a slow drip until it’s too late...
