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.
But if you walk onto a new construction site today, you are just as likely to hear the ratcheting click of a ProPress tool. Manufactured by Viega, ProPress is a mechanical press fitting system that has fundamentally changed how we join copper tubing. It is faster, colder, and statistically more reliable than traditional solder.
At its core, ProPress is a flameless connection system. Instead of using heat and filler metal (solder), it uses radial compression. propresser
| Feature | ProPress | Solder (Torch) | SharkBite (Push) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Very Fast | Slow | Instant | | Permanent? | Yes | Yes | No (removable) | | Tool Cost | High ($3k) | Low ($100) | None | | Fitting Cost | High ($4) | Low ($0.80) | High ($6) | | Fire Risk | None | High | None | | Reliability (Long term) | Excellent (40+ yrs) | Excellent (50+ yrs) | Good (25 yrs) | | Best Use Case | Commercial, large repipes | Tight spaces, low budget | Temporary caps, homeowner |
The liability of fire alone justifies the tool cost. Being able to press a valve onto a live 2" main line without shutting down a 40-story building is a superpower. Have you made the switch to ProPress
A Milwaukee ProPress tool weighs about 8 lbs. Holding that above your head in a ceiling tile while balancing on a ladder for the 50th press of the day is a legitimate workout. A torch is light.
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 ProPress Revolution: Why Crimped Connections Are Beating Torches on Modern Job Sites