Push-to-connects are pricier, but man, they’re quick and I haven’t had one fail yet. Do you ever worry about them holding up long-term, though?
Honestly, I’m in the same boat—love how fast they go on, but I do wonder if in 10 years I’ll find a surprise under the sink. My plumber buddy swears by them, but he also said “just don’t cheap out.” Ever tried the all-metal ones instead of plastic? Curious if that makes a difference for longevity...
I’ve seen both plastic and all-metal push-to-connects hold up fine, but honestly, I trust the metal ones a bit more for anything behind a wall or in a spot that’s tough to get to. Under the sink, though, I’ve swapped out a few old plastic ones that started to drip after 8-10 years. Anyone ever had issues with hard water messing with these fittings over time? That’s one thing I always wonder about...
Hard water can definitely take its toll on fittings over time, but in my experience, it’s usually the O-rings that go first, especially in plastic push-to-connects. The mineral buildup can cause them to lose their seal and start dripping after a while. Metal ones seem to handle it better, though even they aren’t immune if the water’s really hard. For anything behind a wall or tough to access, I’d stick with metal too—less chance of headaches down the road. Under the sink, at least you can keep an eye on things if something starts acting up.
Metal fittings definitely seem sturdier, but I’m not sure they’re always the best call, especially if you’re watching costs. Those push-to-connect plastic fittings are so much cheaper and way easier to swap out if something goes wrong. I get the concern about O-rings and hard water, but in my place, I’ve actually had more issues with old metal compression fittings corroding and getting stuck than with the plastic ones leaking. Maybe it’s the brand or just luck, but the plastic ones have been holding up for a few years now under pretty hard water.
For anything behind a wall or tough to access, I’d stick with metal too—less chance of headaches down the road.
I get the logic, but sometimes it feels like overkill, especially if you’re just doing a quick fix or working on a tight budget. If it’s behind a wall, sure, maybe go for metal for peace of mind. But under the sink, where you can check things easily, I’d rather save a few bucks and just keep an eye out for drips every few months. Worst case, you swap out a fitting for $5 and call it a day.
Also, not sure if anyone else has noticed this, but I’ve had some of those “no tools required” plastic connectors outlast the original copper pipes they were attached to. Maybe it’s just newer tech is catching up? Either way, for DIYers who don’t want to shell out for a plumber every time something minor pops up, the plastic stuff can be a real lifesaver. Just my two cents—sometimes convenience and cost win out over tradition.
I’m right there with you on the cost thing—my wallet practically screams every time I look at those brass fittings. I’ve actually had a plastic push-to-connect under my kitchen sink for about four years now, and it’s still bone dry. Maybe I just got lucky, but it’s definitely made me less nervous about skipping metal for “non-permanent” spots. Has anyone ever tried reusing the plastic ones after disconnecting, or is that asking for trouble?
