I get the love for PEX, but honestly, I’m still a bit wary. Had a buddy who went all-in on it and ended up with a couple leaks at the crimp joints—maybe user error, but still. Copper’s more of a pain to install, yeah, but I trust it long-term.
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“sometimes ripping out the old stuff is just less stressful in the end.”
Not sure I agree—ripping everything out feels like opening a can of worms. Sometimes a targeted repair is less hassle (and cheaper) if you’re not seeing widespread issues.
- Quick fixes: I hear you on tape/putty being useless for anything serious.
- Old pipes: If you see green corrosion or rust, that’s my line for calling in backup.
- DIY vs plumber: If you’re not 100% sure where the leak’s coming from, might be worth getting a pro to avoid making it worse. Learned that one the hard way...
I’ve seen those PEX crimp leaks too, usually when the fittings weren’t done just right. Honestly, I like copper for reliability, but I get why folks go with PEX for tough spots. Have you ever tried push-to-connect fittings? They’re pricey, but super easy for small repairs. Curious if anyone’s had long-term luck with those.
Push-to-connects are kind of my go-to for quick fixes, honestly. Yeah, they’re not cheap, but when you’re staring at a mess under the sink and just want it done, they’re a lifesaver. I’ve had one under my bathroom sink for about three years now—no leaks so far. I still trust copper more for big jobs, but for a spot repair, I’ll take the convenience over saving a few bucks on fittings. Just make sure the pipe’s clean and cut straight or you’ll have problems no matter what you use.
I get the appeal of push-to-connects for sure—super quick, and you don’t need a torch or anything. But I’ve seen a couple that started leaking after a year or two, probably from not cleaning the pipe right. Ever tried them on old, crusty copper? I’m always a bit nervous about that.
Push-to-connects are like the fast food of plumbing—super convenient, but sometimes you regret it later. I’ve slapped a few on some pretty gnarly copper in my rentals, and yeah, if there’s any green crust or pitting, they don’t always seal up tight. Had one pop off behind a wall once... that was a fun surprise. Ever tried reusing them after pulling one off? I’ve heard mixed things about whether that’s a good idea or just asking for trouble.