Are compression fittings as good as soldering?

[smhowell]

My husband prefers to use compression fittings because they are easier, but are they as durable as soldered connections? These connections are going behind a tiled wall.

Thanks in advance,
Sharon

[frenchie]

I don't even trust comp fittings to hold the shutoffs under a sink, though. I recently discovered most pro's disagree, even Terry uses comp shutoffs all the time.

I still wouldn't ever bury a comp fitting in a wall, though.

[master plumber mark]

I use compression couplings when I am
in trouble with water and I cant solder

the work looks a little shoddy if you are useing
tees and compression elbows....
but its probably ok if pipe dope has been used
and they are wrenched down tightly...


Flareing copper fittings was the rage back in the
50s around here......

they still hold up

[Gary Swart]

As far as durability, I think it's a toss-up as long as the compression fitting is installed right. Other than that, I think it's largely a matter of personal choice.

[SteveW]

I'm not a pro but -

I would probably not want to put a compression fitting inside a wall, since it could have a slow leak and not be detected for quite some time.

If, however, you do use a compression fitting inside the wall, at a bare minimum it needs to be tested under pressure to look for leaks before covering it up.

[hj]

ANY movement can cause a compression joint to leak. I would never put one where it was not visible, or even where it would be difficult to replace it some time in the future. So to answer your question, they are not as permanent as solder, or flare for that matter, connections.

[smhowell]

Thanks for the help. I talked him out of the compression fittings.

He found these fittings at Home Depot called Sharkbite fittings. They look like they're almost foolproof, and the salesman says they're pass code for inside the walls. Any thoughts/experience with these?

[GrumpyPlumber]

Here, compression is supposed to only be used on soft, annealed copper..like soft roll & flexable feeds.
OK on 3/8" feeds, not ok on 1/2" type "L".
I have yet to see an inspector call someone on it, but then, I have only seen one shop do it regularly.
Personally, I only use compression on soft...less to worry about at night.
In the end...yup...I guess it's personal preference.

[mckeand13]

I don't like waking up in the middle of the night to spraying HOT water. :mad:

http://s92800444.onlinehome.us/photos/compression1.jpg

http://s92800444.onlinehome.us/photos/compression2.jpg

[GrumpyPlumber]

Strange coincidence...did a job today where a compression nut had been overtightened years ago on installation and it had a hairline crack...veeerrry slowly it weeped onto the valve & pipe and finally pitted through the copper pipe.
First thing I did was to try to tighten the nut...it went 1/4 turn and popped loose, had been cracked all these years.

[molo]

Hey Smhowell< Are You The "husband" You Keep Referring To The Pros On This Site Help Men Too