- Press fittings are slick, but I’m with you—cost is hard to justify for one-off jobs.
- Crimp rings have been my go-to for PEX. Reliable, and the tools aren’t bank-breakers.
- Sweat joints on copper? Still feels like the gold standard for anything permanent, especially behind drywall.
- Had a similar “torch vs smoke alarm” moment during a laundry room update...not fun.
- Expander tools and cold weather don’t mix—mine locked up last January and I nearly chucked it across the garage.
- For fixtures: if you’re doing a lot of changes or future-proofing, maybe invest in press tools, but for most renos, crimp or sweat still make sense.
Crimp rings have been my go-to too—never had a leak, and the tool paid for itself after a couple projects. Press fittings are tempting, but unless you’re doing a whole house or tons of repairs, I just can’t see dropping that much cash on the tool. Sweat joints still make me nervous behind walls, though. I always worry about missing a pinhole or not getting it hot enough. Anyone here actually prefer push-to-connect for quick fixes, or do those feel too temporary?
Push-to-connect fittings always seemed a bit too “quick fix” for my taste, but I’ll admit I’ve used them behind a vanity when I was in a pinch. No leaks yet, but I still find myself checking every few months, just in case. Maybe it’s paranoia from seeing one pop off in a buddy’s basement years ago. Has anyone actually had a push-to-connect fail, or is that just old horror stories floating around?
“Maybe it’s paranoia from seeing one pop off in a buddy’s basement years ago.”
Seen that happen myself—water everywhere, not fun. Honestly, push-to-connects are a lifesaver for tight spots or quick repairs, but I always double-check the pipe’s clean and fully inserted. They’re solid if installed right, but I still trust a good old sweat joint for anything behind walls or ceilings. Call it old habits... but hey, if yours aren’t leaking, you’re probably fine.
I get where you’re coming from—seeing a fitting blow off once is enough to make you second-guess every connection after that. I’ve only used push-to-connects for exposed spots or temporary fixes, mostly because I’m always worried about what’s happening behind the drywall where you can’t see if something’s starting to weep. Maybe it’s just me being overly cautious, but I’ll take the extra time to sweat a joint if it means I can sleep at night.
Out of curiosity, do you guys use any extra supports or clips when you’re running PEX with push-fits behind walls? I’ve heard some folks say movement can loosen them over time, but I haven’t seen it firsthand. Also, anyone ever had issues with hard water messing with the seals? Just trying to cover all the bases before I commit to using them in my own place.
