Funny you mention the paper towel trick—I’ve done that for years, especially after a buddy of mine had his kitchen floor ruined by a slow leak he didn’t catch for weeks. I once fixed an ice maker line for a neighbor and thought I’d nailed it, but came back an hour later and the towel was soaked. Turns out, the fitting looked tight but wasn’t quite there. That tiny drip can turn into a disaster if you miss it.
As for cost, last time I did a full ice maker replacement (not just the line), parts ran about $90 and labor would’ve been another $150 if I hadn’t done it myself. Honestly, sometimes the peace of mind from double-checking is worth more than any repair bill.
That paper towel trick has saved my bacon more than once.
—classic. Sometimes those compression fittings just want to mess with you. Double-checking is underrated, especially when a $0.10 drip can turn into a $1,000 headache. You nailed it on the peace of mind front.the fitting looked tight but wasn’t quite there
That’s a good point about the cost of a tiny leak—been there, regretted that. I’m always a bit skeptical about “quick fixes” because sometimes they end up using more resources in the long run, especially if you have to redo the job. Did anyone try using push-to-connect fittings instead of compression? I’ve found them more reliable and less prone to leaks, though maybe not everyone’s first choice. Wondering if anyone’s had luck with those, or if they’re just another potential headache down the road.
I hear you on quick fixes turning into bigger headaches—been burned a couple times trying to save a buck, only to have to redo it all later. I actually tried push-to-connect on my last fridge water line, and it seemed way easier than the old compression fittings. But I do wonder if they’ll hold up in the long run, especially if you move the fridge around a lot. Anyone run into issues with them after a year or two? I’m always worried about hidden leaks sneaking up on me...
I actually tried push-to-connect on my last fridge water line, and it seemed way easier than the old compression fittings. But I do wonder if they’ll hold up in the long run, especially if you move the fridge around a lot.
- Seen a lot of folks switch to push-to-connect for convenience—totally get it.
- In my experience, they’re solid if you set them right and don’t mess with them much. But yeah, moving the fridge around can loosen things over time.
- Had a call last year where a guy’s line popped loose after shifting his fridge to clean behind it. Small leak, but it soaked his floor before he noticed.
- Personally, I still lean toward compression fittings for anything that might get jostled. Takes a bit longer but feels more secure long-term.
- If you’re worried about hidden leaks, maybe toss a water alarm back there? Cheap peace of mind.
