Have you made the switch to ProPress? Or are you still soldering until the bitter end? Drop a comment below—let’s hear the debate. And don’t forget to check your local code amendments before pressing that first fitting. Disclaimer: Plumbing codes vary by jurisdiction. Always consult local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) before using alternative joining methods.
At its core, ProPress is a flameless connection system. Instead of using heat and filler metal (solder), it uses radial compression. propresser
Unless you find a screaming deal on a used tool (and you verify the jaws are calibrated), stick to soldering or use push fittings (SharkBite) for your one-off repairs. You will never recoup the cost of a ProPress rig. Have you made the switch to ProPress
While soldering will never die (it is an art form and necessary for tight quarters), the industry has voted with its wallets. Major code bodies (IPC, UPC) fully recognize ProPress. Major specifiers (hospitals, schools) demand it for fire safety. And don’t forget to check your local code
The fittings are thicker than standard copper. If you are retrofitting into an old wall cavity where pipes are tight together, you may not have the clearance to swing the press tool or fit the jaws around the pipe. Solder has a much smaller profile.
If you mess up a soldered joint, you heat it up, pull it apart, clean it, and try again. If you mess up a ProPress joint, you cut it out. That fitting is destroyed. You lose an inch of pipe and a $4 fitting every time you slip.