Honestly, I hear you on the push-to-connect stuff. It’s tempting because it’s quick, but old galvanized is just asking for trouble. I tried a SharkBite once—thought I was saving time—and it started leaking after a week. Ended up redoing it with PEX anyway. If you’re crawling under the sink already, might as well do it right the first time and skip the headache later. Those shortcuts never seem to last...
If you’re crawling under the sink already, might as well do it right the first time and skip the headache later.
Couldn’t agree more here. Those push-to-connect fittings have their place, but old galvanized just isn’t one of them. I’ve seen way too many “quick fixes” come back to haunt folks, especially in older houses. If you’ve already got the tools and the space, taking a little extra time with PEX or copper saves a lot of swearing down the road. Sometimes shortcuts just aren’t worth it.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had decent luck with push-to-connect on old galvanized—at least as a temporary fix. Here’s my take:
- If you’re on a tight budget or just need water back ASAP, those fittings can buy you time.
- Full PEX or copper redo is ideal, but not everyone’s got the cash or skills for that right away.
- I’d just double-check for leaks and maybe plan to revisit it when you’ve got more time/money.
Not saying it’s perfect, but sometimes “good enough for now” keeps the kitchen running.
Not saying it’s perfect, but sometimes “good enough for now” keeps the kitchen running.
I get what you mean—sometimes you just need water back, period. I’ve seen push-to-connects hold up for a bit on old galvanized, but I’ve also seen them start leaking out of nowhere a few weeks later. Galvanized pipe can be so unpredictable... corrosion inside, weird sizing, threads that don’t seal right. Had a job last winter where a homeowner used one of those fittings and it worked fine for about a month, then suddenly let go and flooded the cabinet. Not fun.
If you’re using them as a stopgap, just keep an eye on it. Check under the sink every day or two for drips. And yeah, if you can swing it later, swapping out that old pipe is always going to be the safer bet. Temporary fixes are just that—temporary.
Temporary fixes are just that—temporary.
Ain’t that the truth. I once thought I was a genius for slapping a push-to-connect on my ancient kitchen line—felt like a hero until it started dripping right before a dinner party. Nothing like mopping up under the sink in your “nice” clothes. Galvanized pipe is basically plumbing roulette at this point. If you can budget for a real fix, your future self will thank you... and your socks will stay dry.
