I hear you loud and clear on the push-fit hesitation. I was pretty skeptical myself, especially after a buddy of mine had a similar midnight disaster—his basement looked like a swimming pool by the time he got down there. But I have to admit, I gave them another shot about five years ago when I redid my laundry room plumbing. Used one of the newer brands (can't remember exactly which one right now, Shark-something maybe?), and they've held up surprisingly well. No leaks, no drips, nothing weird yet...knock on wood.
Still, there's something reassuring about tightening down a compression fitting and knowing it's solid metal-on-metal. Maybe it's psychological, but it just feels sturdier to me too. Plus, if something does start dripping, you can usually snug it up a bit more and you're good to go. With push-fits, it's either perfect or you're out of luck.
Glad your pipes finally quieted down though—that banging noise can drive anyone nuts. I remember when we first moved into our place, every time someone turned off the shower upstairs, it sounded like someone was hammering inside the walls. Took me forever to track down the issue (turned out to be loose pipe hangers in the crawlspace). The day I finally fixed it was pure bliss...until the next project popped up anyway.
Sounds like you've earned yourself some peace and quiet for now. Enjoy it while it lasts—there's always another plumbing adventure waiting around the corner.
"Still, there's something reassuring about tightening down a compression fitting and knowing it's solid metal-on-metal."
Couldn't agree more—I trust push-fits for quick fixes or tight spots, but for long-term peace of mind, I still prefer compression fittings. Easier to troubleshoot later if something starts acting up...
Compression fittings are definitely reassuring, especially if you're dealing with areas that might see some movement or vibration. Push-fits can be handy in a pinch, but I've seen them fail occasionally due to improper seating or minor pipe imperfections. Compression fittings, on the other hand, give you that tactile feedback—once they're snugged up properly, you know they're good. Plus, troubleshooting later is simpler since you can easily disassemble and inspect without needing special tools or replacement parts...
"Compression fittings, on the other hand, give you that tactile feedback—once they're snugged up properly, you know they're good."
Couldn't agree more. Compression fittings have saved me a headache or two, especially in older buildings where pipes have seen better days. Push-fits are convenient, sure, but I've had a few too many "surprise showers" thanks to them not seating right. Nothing wakes you up faster than cold water spraying your face at 7 AM...
One thing I'll add is that compression fittings can be a bit finicky if you're not careful about overtightening. Seen plenty of folks crank them down like they're tightening lug nuts on a truck tire—then wonder why they've got leaks later. Snug is good; gorilla-tight isn't.
Also worth mentioning: always double-check the ferrule placement before tightening everything down. Had an apprentice once who put it in backwards... took us half an hour to figure out why it wouldn't seal properly. Lesson learned the hard way.
Nice job tackling those noisy pipes, by the way. Feels good when you finally get rid of that annoying rattle or bang every time someone turns on the faucet upstairs.
Totally agree about overtightening—been there, done that, and learned my lesson. Ever had trouble with older fittings seizing up when you're trying to replace them? I swear, some of those ancient compression nuts feel welded on. A little penetrating oil and patience usually does the trick, but man...talk about testing your sanity. Glad you got rid of the pipe noise though; nothing beats finally having peace and quiet at home.
