I've had decent luck with John Guest fittings, but like you said, it's usually just for a quick fix until I can get something more permanent sorted out. Had one under my kitchen sink for about two years without issues, but our water isn't particularly hard here. Honestly though, if I'm doing anything behind drywall or somewhere tough to reach later, I'd rather sweat copper or use PEX crimps... just feels safer long-term.
"Honestly though, if I'm doing anything behind drywall or somewhere tough to reach later, I'd rather sweat copper or use PEX crimps... just feels safer long-term."
Yeah, totally agree with you there. I had a similar situation last year—thought I'd save some time and threw in a SharkBite fitting behind the shower wall. Worked fine for about six months, then started dripping slowly. Ended up having to rip out drywall anyway to fix it properly with PEX crimps. Lesson learned: quick fixes are great in a pinch, but nothing beats the peace of mind from doing it right the first time.
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, sweating copper isn't always the best choice environmentally. Copper mining and processing have significant environmental impacts—PEX can be a greener alternative if you're careful about sourcing. I've had PEX crimps in place for years without issues. Sure, quick fixes like SharkBite can bite you later (pun intended), but there's nothing wrong with thoughtful alternatives that balance durability and sustainability.
"Sure, quick fixes like SharkBite can bite you later (pun intended), but there's nothing wrong with thoughtful alternatives that balance durability and sustainability."
Haha, gotta admit, that SharkBite pun got me chuckling—been there, done that. Reminds me of a late-night emergency call I had a few years back. Homeowner tried to DIY a leaky pipe with one of those quick-connect fittings. Worked great...until it didn't. Got the call around midnight, water spraying everywhere, homeowner soaked head to toe holding a bucket under the leak—looked like something out of a sitcom.
Anyway, I agree PEX can be solid if you're careful about sourcing and installation. I've seen plenty of copper jobs go south too, especially if someone rushes through sweating joints or skimps on prep work. Bottom line: materials matter, but technique and attention to detail matter just as much. And hey, at least with PEX you won't accidentally torch your eyebrows off—ask me how I know...
Haha, torching eyebrows...been close myself. Had a SharkBite fitting pop loose once—luckily caught it early. Now I stick to careful prep and double-checking connections. DIY plumbing's fine, but knowing your limits saves headaches (and eyebrows).
