"half the battle is knowing when to stop tightening."
Exactly this. I've cracked more fittings than I'd like to admit. Another trick I've found helpful is using silicone grease on the threads—helps seal things up without overtightening. Hang in there, plumbing under sinks tests everyone's patience...
"Another trick I've found helpful is using silicone grease on the threads—helps seal things up without overtightening."
Silicone grease can help, but personally, I prefer plumber's tape (PTFE). It's less messy and gives me a bit more control. Silicone sometimes makes fittings feel tighter than they actually are, which can lead to accidental overtightening. Learned that the hard way after cracking a fitting once... now I'm extra cautious. Plumbing under sinks is definitely patience-testing territory.
Totally feel your pain on the cracked fitting—I swear plumbing under the sink is like a rite of passage into DIY adulthood, haha. PTFE tape is usually my go-to as well, but silicone grease has saved me a few times when threads were stubborn or slightly worn. The trick is to use just a tiny dab—too much and you're right, it gets slippery and deceptive. Either way, sounds like you're on the right track. Hang in there... victory over leaks is sweet when it finally happens.
Been there myself—nothing tests patience like a stubborn leak under the sink. Silicone grease can help, but honestly, careful thread cleaning before applying PTFE tape usually does the trick for me. You're almost there... keep at it, it'll hold eventually.
Had a similar battle last month—spent hours trying everything, silicone grease, PTFE tape, even tightening it way too much (rookie mistake, I know). Turned out the real culprit was a tiny hairline crack in the fitting itself. Replaced it, and boom, dry as a bone ever since. You double-checked the fittings themselves for cracks or tiny defects yet?