Kitchen sink disaster—DIY or call a plumber?

Title: Kitchen Sink Disaster—DIY or Call a Plumber?

- Gotta agree with you on the “not behind walls” rule. I’ve seen what happens when a tiny leak goes unnoticed for months—mold, warped cabinets, and a repair bill that’ll make you want to eat ramen for a year.
- That said, I’m still a little twitchy about push-to-connects, even under a sink. They’re solid *if* you do the prep right, like you said. But I’ve walked into more than one “emergency” where someone skipped the deburring step or didn’t get a clean cut. Water everywhere, and suddenly it’s my Saturday.
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“At least with push-to-connect, you don’t have to worry about overtightening or threads stripping out.”

True, but I’ve seen folks get a little too confident and skip the basics. No fitting is magic if you don’t respect the process.
- Compression fittings can loosen, yeah, especially if there’s a lot of movement under the sink. I’ve started using a dab of thread sealant on the threads (not the ferrule) just for peace of mind. Not in the manual, but it’s saved me a few callbacks.
- For DIYers, I always say: triple-check your prep, test for leaks, and leave everything accessible. If you’re not 100% sure, don’t be afraid to call in backup. Water finds every mistake, and it doesn’t care if it’s 2am.
- One last thing—if you’re using push-to-connect on old copper, give it a good scrub with emery cloth first. Crusty pipes are the enemy. I’ve seen those little green monsters (corrosion) ruin a perfect install.

Bottom line: push-to-connect is fine for visible spots if you’re careful. Just don’t rush it, and keep a flashlight handy for those “just in case” checks. Your future self will thank you... or at least won’t curse you out.

I’ve had tenants try their hand at “quick fixes” under the sink, and it’s usually fine—until it isn’t. Curious if anyone’s had luck with push-to-connects on really old galvanized lines? I’ve always been wary of mixing new fittings with ancient pipes... seems like a recipe for callbacks.

Push-to-connects on old galvanized? Man, that’s rolling the dice. I’ve seen ‘em seal up okay for a bit, but those ancient threads love to crumble just when you think you’re done. Honestly, sometimes I feel like it’s just inviting leaks down the line... literally.

Push-to-connects on old galvanized? Man, that’s rolling the dice.

- Been there, tried that—regret it every time.
- Those fittings might hold for a few months, but I’ve had them start sweating or even pop off after a pressure spike.
- In one place, the inside of the pipe was so caked with rust, the connection barely grabbed. Ended up replacing a section anyway.
- If you’re dealing with “ancient threads,” I’d just budget for some pipe dope and a couple extra couplings... never hurts to have backup.
- Honestly, if you want sleep at night, swap out the bad section for copper or PEX. The peace of mind’s worth more than a quick fix.

Honestly, push-to-connect on old galvanized is like putting a Band-Aid on a leaky dam. I tried it once, thought I was clever, and ended up with a slow drip two weeks later. If you’re already under the sink, might as well do it right—PEX is way less hassle in the long run.