WHEN DOES A "WEEKEND PLUMBING JOB" EVER ACTUALLY TAKE A WEEKEND?
I’ve run into this exact scenario during a kitchen remodel—old copper lines, questionable joints, and the temptation to use push-to-connects for a “quick fix.” In theory, they’re brilliant. But in practice, especially with pipes from the 50s or 60s, it’s a gamble. I had one instance where the fitting seemed solid, but after a few hours, there was a slow drip that turned into a full-on leak overnight. Turns out, the pipe had some pitting and the fitting just couldn’t get a proper seal.
If you’re dealing with any corrosion or even slightly out-of-round pipes, those fittings can be more trouble than they’re worth. I’ll use them for temporary fixes or in spots where I can keep an eye on things, but I’d never bury one behind drywall. It’s just not worth the risk of having to tear everything out later. Sometimes the old-school methods—soldering or compression—are still the safest bet, even if they take longer and aren’t as flashy.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve had better luck with push-to-connects than soldering on some of these old houses. Yeah, if the pipe’s really pitted or out of round, nothing’s gonna seal right, but I’ve seen just as many solder joints fail because someone didn’t clean the pipe well enough or rushed the job. At least with push-to-connect, you know right away if it’s leaking. I wouldn’t bury one behind a wall either, but for exposed spots or quick fixes, they’ve saved me a ton of time and headaches. Isn’t it really about knowing when to use which method?
Isn’t it really about knowing when to use which method?
That’s the key right there. I’ve seen folks get religious about soldering, but if you’re crawling under a 1920s kitchen sink with pipes that look like they’ve been through a war, sometimes push-to-connect is just the smarter move. I still trust a good solder joint more for long-term stuff, but I’m not spending my Saturday chasing leaks because I wanted to “do it the old way.” Use what works, don’t overthink it.
I hear you—sometimes I start out thinking, “I’ll do it right, old-school,” and three hours later I’m covered in flux and cursing at a stubborn joint. There’s no shame in grabbing a SharkBite when your back’s screaming. The job’s to fix the leak, not win a plumbing purity contest.
The job’s to fix the leak, not win a plumbing purity contest.
That’s the realest thing I’ve read all week. I always start with “measure twice, cut once,” but by hour four I’m googling if duct tape is waterproof. Ever had a “simple” job where you ended up replacing half the pipe just to reach the actual leak?
