"They're cheaper, reliable if done right, and there's something satisfying about mastering that skill."
Fair points, but honestly, after years of DIY plumbing adventures, I've shifted mostly to SharkBites. Sure, compression fittings are solid when done right...but the margin for error can be frustratingly slim (been there, flooded that). SharkBites might cost a bit more upfront, but the convenience and peace of mind outweigh the price difference for me. To each their own though—whatever keeps the water flowing and your sanity intact counts as a win.
Totally get where you're coming from with SharkBites—I've used them myself in a pinch. Still, there's something about traditional fittings that feels more permanent to me. But hey, whatever keeps your kitchen dry and your stress levels manageable is a solid choice in my book.
I hear you on SharkBites being convenient, especially when you're in a tight spot or just want the job done fast. But honestly, I've always leaned toward traditional fittings—not just because they feel more permanent, but also because of aesthetics. Maybe it's just me being picky (occupational hazard, I guess), but there's something reassuring about knowing the plumbing behind the scenes is as thoughtfully put together as the visible finishes.
A while back, I had a client who insisted on SharkBites for their kitchen remodel because they'd heard how easy and reliable they were. And sure enough, installation was quick and painless. But a few months later, they decided to swap out some cabinetry and ended up bumping into one of those fittings pretty hard—nothing catastrophic, thankfully—but it did leak a bit afterward. Ever since then, I've been cautious about recommending them in areas where things might get moved around or bumped frequently.
Don't get me wrong; they're great for temporary fixes or spots that aren't going to see much action. But for something as central as a kitchen sink—where you're constantly reaching under there for cleaning supplies or trash bags—I prefer the peace of mind traditional soldered fittings bring. Plus, from a design standpoint, knowing everything behind the scenes is solidly built helps me sleep better at night.
But hey, that's just my take. If your setup is working smoothly and keeping your kitchen dry, that's really all that matters in the end.
I totally get your point about SharkBites—I’ve had similar experiences myself. A few years back, I was helping a friend redo his laundry room, and we went with SharkBites because, well, it was Sunday afternoon, and soldering just wasn’t appealing at the time. Everything seemed fine until about a year later when he was rearranging shelves and accidentally knocked into one of the fittings. Same deal—small leak, nothing major, but enough to make me second-guess using them in high-traffic areas.
That said, I’ve also seen plenty of setups where they’ve held up perfectly fine for years. Maybe it’s partly luck or just being extra careful around them? Either way, I think your cautious approach makes sense, especially in a kitchen. Plumbing is one of those things you don’t want to worry about once everything’s buttoned up.
Glad your install went smoothly though—sounds like you’ve got a solid setup now. And hey, if it keeps working without leaks, you’re already ahead of half the DIYers out there... myself included sometimes.
I've gotta say, SharkBites aren't my first choice either, but honestly, I've used them plenty in tight spots and haven't had issues yet. Maybe your friend's leak was just a fluke or a faulty fitting? I mean, accidents happen with soldered joints too. Personally, I'd trust SharkBites over a rushed soldering job any day... especially if I'm the one holding the torch.
