Totally get where you're coming from, but I wouldn't completely write off SharkBites or push-fits. I've had one under my sink holding strong for about 4 years now, zero leaks. But yeah, for anything behind walls or cabinets—places you can't easily check—I'm with you. Better safe than sorry. Had a buddy who relied too much on quick-fix fittings... ended up gutting half his kitchen after a slow leak. Not fun.
I've had pretty good luck with SharkBites myself, but I totally agree—hidden plumbing is a whole different ballgame. If you're feeling unsure, maybe try tackling the visible stuff yourself first? It can be super satisfying to DIY, plus you get to pick eco-friendly materials (bonus points!). But yeah, if it's behind cabinets or walls and you're not 100% confident, calling in a pro might save you headaches down the road. Good luck!
I've had mixed experiences with SharkBites myself—mostly good, but one time I had a fitting fail on me after about a year. Luckily it was under the sink and easy to spot, but it made me think twice about using them behind walls or cabinets. I ended up redoing that section with traditional soldered copper fittings just for peace of mind.
Funny story though... my brother-in-law swears by SharkBites and redid his entire bathroom plumbing with them. It's been three years now, zero issues. Maybe I just got unlucky?
Curious if anyone's had long-term success (or failures) with push-fit fittings in hidden areas like behind cabinets or drywall. Would you trust them long-term, or stick to soldering for those hidden spots?
"Curious if anyone's had long-term success (or failures) with push-fit fittings in hidden areas like behind cabinets or drywall."
Funny you mention that—I was skeptical too, but the plumber I apprenticed with swore by SharkBites even in hidden spots. We've opened walls years later... zero leaks. Maybe yours was just a fluke?
Interesting to hear your experience with SharkBites. I've always been a bit hesitant about using push-fit fittings behind walls or cabinets, mostly because of the horror stories I've read online. I mean, sure, your plumber mentor swears by them, but I've seen some pretty mixed reviews out there.
A buddy of mine redid his kitchen a few years back and used SharkBites behind the drywall. Everything seemed fine at first—no leaks, no issues—but about two years later he noticed a weird damp spot forming on the wall. Turns out one of the fittings had developed a slow drip. Nothing catastrophic, but enough to cause mold and drywall damage over time. He ended up having to rip open the wall again and redo everything with soldered copper fittings.
I guess my hesitation comes from that experience. Maybe it was just bad luck or user error (he's not exactly Mr. DIY), but it still makes me wonder if push-fit fittings are really worth the risk in hidden areas. I get that they're super convenient and easy to install, especially for quick fixes or temporary setups... but for something that's gonna be sealed up behind drywall or cabinetry for years? I'd personally feel safer sticking with traditional soldered connections or even PEX crimp rings.
Not saying SharkBites can't work long-term—clearly they've worked well for you—but maybe it's one of those things where installation technique matters more than we realize? Or maybe certain brands are more reliable than others? Dunno... just thinking out loud here.
