Copper and PEX both have their perks, but have you considered giving SharkBite fittings a shot? I know some folks are skeptical about push-to-connect fittings, but honestly, they've saved my sanity more than once. A couple years back, I had a similar nightmare under my bathroom sink—tried soldering copper first, but let's just say my torch skills weren't exactly pro-level. After a few frustrating attempts (and a lot of colorful language), I grabbed a SharkBite fitting as a temporary fix... and it's still holding strong today.
I get the hesitation—some plumbers swear they're unreliable long-term—but for tight spaces or quick fixes, they're pretty hard to beat. Plus, no torch needed means less risk of accidentally scorching your cabinet or setting off the smoke alarm (been there, done that). Sure, they're pricier than standard fittings, but if it saves you from another 3am mop-up session, might be worth the extra bucks?
Also curious—has anyone tried compression fittings for copper pipes under sinks? I've heard mixed reviews; some say they're solid if installed carefully, others claim they're leak-prone over time. Haven't personally tried them yet, but always wondered if they'd be a decent middle-ground option between soldering and push-to-connect.
Anyway, just throwing another perspective out there. Plumbing can definitely test your patience... hang in there!
I've had mixed luck with SharkBite fittings myself. A couple years ago, I was dealing with a similar leak under my kitchen sink and decided to give them a shot. Installation was definitely easy—no torch, no solder, no mess—but after about six months, I noticed a slow drip again. Not sure if it was user error or just bad luck, but it made me hesitant to rely on them long-term.
Compression fittings are another story. I've used them twice now, once under the bathroom sink and once in the laundry room. Both times they've held up surprisingly well (knock on wood). The key seems to be taking your time during installation—making sure everything lines up perfectly and tightening carefully without overtightening. But even then, I still find myself checking under the sinks every few months just to be safe... maybe I'm just paranoid?
One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is longevity from an environmental perspective. I've always wondered how SharkBite fittings hold up over time compared to traditional copper soldering or compression fittings. Are they more likely to fail prematurely and end up in the landfill? Or do they actually last long enough to justify their convenience?
Personally, I've been leaning more toward PEX lately because it's flexible and seems less prone to leaks overall—but even then, I'm not totally sold on the plastic factor. Copper feels more sustainable in theory (since it's recyclable), but then again, if you're constantly having leaks and replacing parts, is it really better environmentally?
Anyway, plumbing definitely has a way of making you second-guess every decision... good luck getting that leak sorted out!
I've had similar experiences with SharkBite fittings—easy to install but not always reliable long-term. Compression fittings have been solid for me too, but I agree, there's always that lingering doubt... especially after dealing with leaks.
Interesting point about the environmental angle. I've wondered about that myself. Copper is recyclable, sure, but if you're constantly replacing fittings or pipe sections due to leaks, does that offset the sustainability advantage? And with PEX, even though it's plastic, it seems to hold up pretty well over time from what I've seen. But then again, how does it fare in terms of long-term chemical stability and potential leaching into water?
Has anyone looked into the actual lifespan data comparing copper vs. PEX vs. SharkBite fittings? I'd be curious to see if there's any solid research or testing out there on how these materials perform over decades rather than just a few years...
I've looked into this a bit myself when I redid my bathroom plumbing last year. From what I found, copper generally has a proven track record—think 50+ years if installed properly—but water chemistry can shorten that lifespan significantly. PEX is newer, but early studies suggest it could last just as long, maybe even longer in some conditions. SharkBite fittings... well, they're convenient, but I'd personally reserve them for temporary fixes or spots where you can easily check on them. Just my two cents though—plumbing always seems to have surprises waiting around the corner...
Copper's reliable, but I've personally switched to PEX for environmental reasons—less energy-intensive to produce and easier to install without soldering. SharkBites saved me once during a midnight leak, but yeah, wouldn't trust them long-term under the sink...
