Yeah, I’m with you—flex couplings are great for quick fixes or spots you can easily get to, but I’d never trust one behind drywall long-term. Learned that lesson the hard way after a slow drip ruined a finished ceiling a couple years back. Solid pipe takes more effort up front, but honestly, it saves so much hassle down the road. And yeah, test fills are a must, but I’ve also found a little moisture sensor tucked in the wall isn’t a bad idea if you’re really worried about leaks sneaking up on you. Sometimes the extra steps are worth the peace of mind.
I hear you on the flex couplings—had a similar scare when I tried to shortcut a drain repair in our laundry room. Ended up with a musty smell and a patch of mold before I caught it. Since then, I’ve stuck with solid pipe and always try to use recycled or reclaimed materials where I can. It’s more work, but I feel better knowing it’s sturdy and a bit more eco-friendly. Those moisture sensors are underrated, honestly... saved me from another headache last winter. Sometimes the extra effort really does pay off.
Gotta admit, I’m always a little suspicious of those flex couplings. They seem easy, but every time I’ve seen someone use one, there’s a leak or weird smell down the road. Solid pipe just feels safer, even if it’s more of a pain to line everything up. Curious though—how do you actually find decent reclaimed pipe? Around here, most of the salvage stuff is either rusted out or weird sizes. And do those moisture sensors really work? I’ve thought about getting one but wasn’t sure if they’re just another gadget collecting dust.