Totally get where you’re coming from—nothing worse than fixing the same problem twice because of a shortcut. I’ve found soldering gives me peace of mind too, especially for anything that’s getting sealed up. Press fittings seem promising but yeah, that tool price is wild for a weekend warrior. I still run into those old compression fittings in my 70s house, and man, they’re always the first to drip. You’re spot on about pressure testing—saved my butt more than once.
I hear you on the compression fittings—those things always seem to be the weak link, especially in older homes. I’ve had to replace more than a few after finding slow leaks behind walls. Soldering’s definitely my go-to for anything permanent, but I’ll admit, press fittings are tempting for tight spots if you can justify the tool cost. Curious if you’ve ever run into issues with push-to-connect fittings? I’ve seen mixed results, especially when folks skip deburring or don’t check for proper seating.
Push-to-connects are kind of a mixed bag for me. They’re super handy in a pinch, especially if you’re working in a crawlspace or somewhere you just can’t get a torch. But yeah, skipping deburring or not pushing them on all the way is asking for trouble—seen a couple pop off under pressure. I still trust soldered joints more for anything behind walls. That said, if you follow the steps—clean, deburr, mark your depth—they can hold up fine for accessible spots. You’re not alone dealing with those slow leaks from old compression fittings... seems like every time I open a wall, there’s another one waiting.
Push-to-connects are like that one tool in your box you love and hate at the same time. They’re a lifesaver when you’re wedged between floor joists and can’t even swing a wrench, but I’ve seen too many folks treat them like magic—just slap it on and call it a day. That’s where things go sideways. If you don’t deburr or check your depth mark, you’re basically gambling with leaks.
I’m with you—if I can solder, especially for anything that’s going to be buried in a wall or ceiling, I’ll take the extra time. It’s just peace of mind knowing it’s not going anywhere. But yeah, for quick fixes or spots where you need to get water back on fast, push-to-connects do have their place. Just wish more people respected the prep work.
And compression fittings... don’t get me started. I swear they have a built-in timer for when to start weeping. Every remodel turns into a scavenger hunt for those little drips hiding behind drywall.
I swear they have a built-in timer for when to start weeping.
That’s the truth. I’ve chased more mystery leaks from old compression fittings than I care to admit. Ever notice how they always pick the worst possible time to start dripping? I get the appeal of push-to-connects for speed, but I’m always double-checking code—some inspectors around here won’t even pass them if they’re hidden. Anyone else run into that?