Reading this thread brings back memories... anyone else ever had that heart-stopping moment when you turn the water back on after your first DIY plumbing job? I remember installing a bathroom sink and thinking compression fittings were some kind of dark magic.
—exactly how I felt. But after a couple of tries (and a few YouTube tutorials), it clicked. Still, I always keep a bucket handy just in case. Anyone else have a near-miss story to share?"Compression fittings felt sketchy to me initially"
Compression fittings are fine, but honestly, they're not always the best choice—especially if you're new to plumbing. I've seen plenty of DIY jobs where folks overtighten them, thinking tighter means better, and end up with leaks or cracked fittings. Had one homeowner call me after flooding half their bathroom because they cranked down too hard. Personally, I'd recommend push-fit connectors for beginners; they're more forgiving and less prone to user error. Still, buckets never hurt...
Compression fittings can definitely bite you if you're not careful. Learned that the hard way myself...
- Did a simple faucet replacement in our kitchen last year—figured it'd be quick and easy.
- Thought compression fittings were straightforward enough, watched a couple YouTube vids, felt confident.
- Got everything hooked up, turned the water back on, and boom... steady drip under the sink.
- Tightened it a bit more, drip got worse. Tightened again—now it's practically spraying.
- Ended up cracking the fitting before I realized overtightening was the issue (rookie mistake).
- Had to run back to the hardware store mid-job, wet towels everywhere, wife less than impressed.
- Switched over to push-fit connectors after that fiasco and haven't looked back since.
Push-fits might cost a bit more upfront, but honestly they're worth it for peace of mind. Especially when you're new to plumbing or just not doing it often enough to get comfortable. Compression fittings aren't bad once you've got some experience under your belt, but they're definitely not foolproof.
And yeah, buckets are your best friend no matter how confident you feel going in...
Had a similar experience with compression fittings when I replaced our bathroom sink faucet. Thought I had it down after watching tutorials, but nope... drip city. Wondering now if overtightening was my issue too? Ended up calling a plumber friend who laughed and swapped it out for push-fits in minutes. Are compression fittings really that tricky, or is it just a matter of practice and feel?
Compression fittings aren't exactly tricky, but they're definitely finicky. Had similar leaks myself—usually from overtightening or uneven pressure. Push-fits are easier for sure, but compression fittings get easier with practice...and patience.
