Not perfect, but at least I’m not mopping up water at 2am.
I hear you on the plastic lines—those things make me nervous. I had a friend whose kitchen flooded because of a tiny crack in one. I went with braided stainless too, even though it was pricier. Honestly, I’d rather pay a bit more up front than risk water damage and a huge headache later. $120 sounds about right for DIY, but if you’re not comfortable with plumbing stuff, paying a pro might be worth it just for the peace of mind. Hard water’s rough here too... I’ve started using those inline filters to help with buildup. Not perfect, but better than nothing.
I’m with you on the stainless lines—those plastic ones just seem like a disaster waiting to happen. I had to replace mine after moving in, and I swear I spent more time watching YouTube than actually doing the work. Has anyone tried those push-to-connect fittings? I keep seeing them at the hardware store but I’m not sure if they’re actually reliable or just another thing that’ll spring a leak at 2am...
I’ve swapped out more fridge lines than I care to admit, and honestly, I’m not sold on those push-to-connect fittings. They look easy, but I’ve seen them leak after a year or two—especially if the fridge gets nudged. Stainless braided lines with proper compression fittings have never let me down. Maybe I’m old school, but I’d rather spend a few extra bucks and avoid a flooded kitchen at 3am...
Yeah, I hear you on the push-to-connects. They’re quick, but I’ve seen them fail too—especially if someone moves the fridge even a little. Compression fittings just feel sturdier. Had a call last month where a plastic line popped off and soaked the hardwood... not fun.
Compression fittings all the way. Those push-to-connects are like trusting a raccoon with your lunch—sure, it might work, but you’re rolling the dice. I’ve seen more kitchen floods from plastic lines than I care to remember. Spend a few extra bucks on copper and compression and sleep better, trust me.