"Still beats soldering though... torching copper pipes in tight spaces always makes me nervous."
I've been hesitant to try soldering myself for exactly that reason—open flames in tight spots just seem like a recipe for disaster. Compression fittings sound manageable, but your experience makes me wonder if push-fit connectors might be a safer bet for beginners like me. Has anyone here tried those push-fit fittings like SharkBite? Curious if they're reliable long-term or if I'm better off sticking with compression and being extra careful about alignment...
Compression fittings sound manageable, but your experience makes me wonder if push-fit connectors might be a safer bet for beginners like me. Has anyone here tried those push-fit fittings like Shar...
Push-fit fittings like SharkBite are actually pretty solid for DIY jobs. Used them a few times myself in tight spots—zero leaks so far. Compression fittings work fine too, but if you're nervous about alignment, push-fits might ease your mind a bit...
Push-fit fittings are pretty forgiving, especially if you're new to plumbing. I've used SharkBite connectors a bunch of times, mostly in awkward spots where soldering or tightening compression fittings would've been a real headache. Honestly, they've held up great—no leaks yet, knock on wood.
Compression fittings aren't rocket science either, but they can be finicky if you're not careful with alignment or overtightening. I remember my first time using one... spent way too long worrying I'd overtightened it and cracked something. Turned out fine, but the anxiety wasn't fun.
If you're feeling unsure, push-fits might be the way to go for peace of mind. Just make sure your pipe ends are clean and deburred properly before pushing them in—that's usually the key to avoiding leaks down the road. Good luck with your project, you'll probably surprise yourself with how smoothly it goes.
Push-fit fittings definitely have their advantages, especially for quick fixes or tight spaces, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend them as a universal solution. When I first moved into my house, the previous owner had used SharkBite connectors everywhere—under sinks, behind toilets, even on some main lines. At first glance, it seemed great because it made repairs look easy and approachable.
But after a few months, I noticed one of the fittings had developed a slow drip. It wasn't catastrophic or anything dramatic like flooding the house (thank goodness), but it was enough to make me cautious. When I took it apart to investigate, I found that the pipe hadn't been cut entirely straight and hadn't been deburred properly either. The uneven edge eventually caused the seal to fail slightly over time.
Now, I'm not saying push-fits aren't reliable—they can be fantastic in many situations—but they're not foolproof either. Compression fittings might seem intimidating at first (I remember sweating bullets tightening my first one), but once you get the hang of them and understand how snug they should feel without overtightening, they offer a pretty solid connection that's easy to inspect visually.
If you're tackling your bathroom fixtures yourself and feeling nervous about leaks or flooding, maybe consider practicing on some scrap pipe first? A little practice can go a long way in boosting confidence before you dive into your actual plumbing project. And if you're still unsure after that, there's no shame in calling in a pro for peace of mind... better safe than sorry when it comes to water damage.
"Compression fittings might seem intimidating at first (I remember sweating bullets tightening my first one), but once you get the hang of them... they offer a pretty solid connection that's easy to inspect visually."
Totally agree with this. Compression fittings felt sketchy to me initially, but after a few practice runs on spare pipe, I got comfortable pretty quickly. Push-fits are handy for tight spots, sure, but nothing beats the reassurance of visually inspecting a properly tightened compression fitting. Good advice on practicing first—definitely helps ease the nerves.
