Propresser |work| May 2026

It isn’t all sunshine and ratchets. ProPress has limitations.

For a DIY homeowner, a $3,000 tool is insanity. Even for a journeyman, the ROI only makes sense if you are pressing 100+ fittings a week. The fittings themselves cost 3x to 5x more than a standard copper fitting. A ½” copper elbow is $0.80; a ProPress elbow is $4.00. propresser

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. It isn’t all sunshine and ratchets

The ProPress Revolution: Why Crimped Connections Are Beating Torches on Modern Job Sites Even for a journeyman, the ROI only makes

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.

If you do a lot of remodels, owning a ProPress allows you to have your laborers do basic water line moves without needing a licensed plumber for every tiny joint. However, check local code first.

Can’t get the line 100% dry? Solder is impossible. With ProPress, you can press a fitting into a dripping line. The O-ring is lubricated and can handle residual moisture and minor dribbles. This is a lifesaver for emergency repairs on domestic water lines in occupied buildings.