I get the hesitation with push-fits behind walls—same here. I’ve had SharkBites last a decade in rentals, but if I’m sealing it up, I’ll sweat the joint every time. For exposed spots or quick repairs, push-to-connect saves a ton of hassle. Just double-check for clean cuts and full seating.
I’m with you—push-fits are a lifesaver when you’re in a pinch or working in a spot you can keep an eye on. But man, behind drywall? I get nervous. I had a SharkBite start weeping after a year once… nothing dramatic, but enough to make me sweat (the pipe and myself). For anything hidden, I’ll bust out the torch, even if it means a little more work and singed arm hair.
I hear you on the push-fits—super handy when you’re in a jam or just need to get something sorted fast. But honestly, I’m with you on being nervous about them behind walls. I’ve read too many horror stories about slow leaks that go unnoticed until you’re suddenly dealing with a soggy mess and a big repair bill. My wallet can’t handle that kind of surprise, and neither can my stress levels.
I know soldering is more work (and yeah, I’ve lost a few arm hairs myself), but at least I can sleep at night knowing it’s not going to start leaking out of nowhere. The peace of mind is worth the extra effort, especially if you’re planning to stay in your house for a while. Plus, if you ever want to sell, inspectors love seeing proper soldered joints instead of a bunch of push-fits everywhere.
That said, I do keep a couple SharkBites in my toolbox for emergencies. They’re like duct tape for plumbing—great in a pinch, but not something I’d trust for the long haul, especially where I can’t see them. Maybe I’m just old-school (or cheap), but I’d rather spend a little more time up front than fork over cash for water damage down the line.
Funny enough, my neighbor swears by PEX with crimp rings for anything hidden. He says it’s easier than sweating copper and more reliable than push-fits. I haven’t tried it myself yet, but it’s on my list if I ever tackle another bathroom reno. Anyone else gone that route? I’m curious if it’s really as foolproof as he claims...
PEX with crimp rings is actually my go-to for anything behind drywall these days. I’ve opened up a lot of walls over the years and honestly, those crimps hold up really well if you use the right tool and double-check your work. The only issues I’ve seen are when folks skip the gauge or don’t get the pipe fully seated. You ever try expansion PEX? Some folks swear by it, but I’ve always found crimping a bit more forgiving for DIYers. Copper’s solid, but man, sweating pipes in a tight crawlspace is not my idea of a good time...
Copper’s solid, but man, sweating pipes in a tight crawlspace is not my idea of a good time...
Totally get that. Last time I tried sweating copper under my mom's old house, I ended up with a face full of cobwebs and a sore neck for days. Crimp rings are way less stressful. I've seen expansion PEX in action, but those tools are pricey and the learning curve's a bit much if you’re just doing standard stuff behind the wall. Crimps just feel more forgiving if you make a mistake—easier to fix without tearing half the wall apart.
