Yeah, I’m with you—if it’s going behind a wall, I just can’t relax unless it’s soldered or crimped. I know SharkBites are convenient and all, but one leak could mean tearing out drywall and wasting materials. Not worth the risk for me.
I know SharkBites are convenient and all, but one leak could mean tearing out drywall and wasting materials.
Had a call last winter—frozen pipe burst behind a finished wall. Previous owner used push-to-connect fittings. They held for years, but when the pipe split, that fitting popped right off. I get the appeal of quick fixes, but after seeing the aftermath, I’m with you: if it’s hidden, I want solder or crimp every time. Maybe I’m old school, but peace of mind matters more than speed for me.
I totally get wanting the peace of mind with solder or crimp, but I’ll admit—when I’m staring down a midnight leak and my wallet’s already hurting, those push-to-connects start looking pretty good. Still, if it’s going behind drywall, I’d rather take the extra time. Not worth the stress of wondering if it’ll hold up during the next cold snap.
I hear you on the drywall thing, but honestly, I’ve had push-to-connects behind walls for years without a hiccup. If you follow the instructions and double-check the fit, they’re pretty solid. Sometimes, the stress of soldering in a tight spot just isn’t worth it, especially when you’re already dealing with a mess. I’d rather save the cash and the headache, at least for repairs.
“the stress of soldering in a tight spot just isn’t worth it, especially when you’re already dealing with a mess. I’d rather save the cash and the headache, at least for repairs.”
I get where you’re coming from, but I still don’t trust push-to-connects behind walls long-term. Sure, they’re quick and easy, but if something goes wrong, you’re tearing out drywall again. Soldering is a hassle, yeah, but once it’s done, I know it’s not going anywhere. I’d rather put in the work upfront than wonder if I’ll be patching leaks later. Maybe I’m just old school, but peace of mind matters more than saving a few bucks for me.