I hear you on the plastic fittings—I've snapped a couple myself, usually when I'm in a rush or working in a cramped spot. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw with quality, too. When you had those failures, did you notice if it was always at the threads or somewhere else? I tend to use brass on anything under constant pressure, but I still keep plastic handy for quick fixes or spots where weight matters. Ever tried those push-to-connect fittings? Curious if they've held up better for you over time...
I hear you about the plastic fittings—I've definitely had a few snap at the worst times, usually when I'm trying to tighten things up just a bit more than I should. For me, it's almost always been at the threads or right where the fitting meets the pipe. I guess once you get a little crack there, it's game over.
I stick with brass for anything that's going to be under stress or pressure for a while too. Just feels safer, even if it costs more and adds weight. I've used push-to-connect fittings a couple times—mostly for quick repairs where I didn't want to deal with glue or solder. They seem to hold up alright in low-stress spots, but I still get a bit nervous using them long-term, especially behind walls.
Honestly, I'd rather take a few extra minutes and go with something more solid if there's any doubt. It’s just not worth risking a leak down the line. But yeah, sometimes convenience wins out...
Yeah, those plastic fittings can be a real gamble. I’ve had the same thing happen—tighten just a hair too much and suddenly you’re holding two pieces instead of one. The worst is when it’s already installed and you have to cut it out and start over. I get why people use them for quick fixes, but I’m with you: if there’s any pressure or movement expected, brass or copper just feels like a safer bet.
When I put in my booster pump, I actually tried using a couple of those push-to-connects on the cold side, thinking it’d save me some time. They worked fine for about a month, but then I noticed a tiny drip at one of the joints. Turned out the pipe wasn’t quite square going in, so the fitting never sealed right. Had to shut everything down and swap it for a threaded brass fitting anyway. Lesson learned—sometimes the “easy” way ends up being more work.
One thing I’ve started doing is using plastic only where I can see it and get to it easily. Like under sinks or in utility rooms. Anything behind drywall or under floors gets metal, no exceptions. It’s just not worth the risk of a hidden leak, especially with boosted pressure.
I will say, though, push-to-connects are awesome for temporary setups or testing layouts before committing to soldering or threading everything together. Just wouldn’t trust them as a permanent solution in high-pressure spots.
Guess it comes down to how much peace of mind you want versus how fast you need to get things running again. For me, after chasing leaks more than once, I’ll take the extra time and do it solid the first go-around... most days anyway.
Man, I hear you on the hidden leaks. Had a tenant call me about a “weird smell” under their kitchen sink last year—turns out a plastic elbow had cracked right where it met the copper. Not even that old, either. I’m with you, if I can’t see it or get to it quick, it’s metal all the way. Those push-to-connects are tempting when you’re in a rush, but I’ve learned my lesson the hard way too many times.
Yeah, those plastic fittings can be a gamble. I tried saving a few bucks with them in my last bathroom reno, and sure enough, a tiny drip turned into a whole Saturday project. I get the appeal—super quick to install—but I just don’t trust them long-term, especially in spots you can’t keep an eye on. Metal’s pricier up front, but I’d rather pay once than deal with water damage down the line. Funny how the “cheap” option always ends up costing more...