"Honestly, they've held up fine, no leaks or anything. Still, for peace of mind, I usually prefer soldering for anything permanent or hidden behind walls..."
I get your point about soldering, but honestly, SharkBites have come a long way. I've renovated a couple of older homes myself, and initially, I was skeptical too. But after using SharkBites extensively in my last project—especially in tight spaces where soldering was tricky—I found them reliable enough to trust behind drywall. Of course, proper installation is key: clean cuts, deburred pipes, and fully seated fittings make all the difference.
That said, I do agree that soldering gives a certain peace of mind, especially if you're experienced with it. But for DIYers or first-time renovators who might not have the soldering skills down pat, SharkBites can actually reduce the risk of leaks due to improper solder joints. Just something to consider...
I've used SharkBites plenty of times myself, and yeah, they've improved a lot. But I gotta admit, there's still something reassuring about a properly soldered joint—especially when it's buried behind drywall. Had a client once who insisted on SharkBites everywhere, and honestly, it turned out fine...but I still slept better at night knowing my own house had soldered connections. Guess old habits die hard, huh?
Yeah, totally get where you're coming from with SharkBites. I had a similar experience renovating my brother-in-law's basement—he was all about quick and easy connections, and honestly, they held up fine. But personally, I still prefer soldering for anything hidden behind walls. Maybe it's just years of habit, but knowing there's a solid joint back there helps me relax. Guess you can't shake that little voice in your head saying "better safe than sorry," right?
"Maybe it's just years of habit, but knowing there's a solid joint back there helps me relax."
I completely resonate with that sentiment. There's definitely something reassuring about traditional methods like soldering, especially for critical plumbing that's tucked away behind drywall. Still, SharkBites have come a long way in terms of reliability and ease of use. I recently helped a friend remodel her kitchen, and we debated the same issue. She was leaning toward quick-connect fittings for convenience, but I encouraged her to consider the environmental angle too—durability and longevity mean fewer replacements down the line, reducing waste overall. We ended up soldering most of the hidden joints but used SharkBites in accessible areas for flexibility.
But honestly, if your brother-in-law's basement has held up fine, that's a pretty solid testimonial. It's always good to question our habits and see if newer solutions can genuinely deliver on their promises...or if we're just being overly cautious out of habit. Either way, you're thinking it through carefully, and that's what matters most.
"durability and longevity mean fewer replacements down the line, reducing waste overall."
Totally agree with this point. I recently redid my bathroom plumbing and had the same internal debate—quick-connect fittings seemed tempting for convenience, but I couldn't shake the feeling that soldered joints would last longer behind the walls. Ended up soldering hidden pipes and using SharkBites under the sink where I can keep an eye on them. Peace of mind counts for a lot...especially when water damage is involved.
