WEEKEND PLUMBING JOBS NEVER STAY ON SCHEDULE FOR ME
Checklists definitely help, but I still end up with those “how did this take all day?” moments. I’ve had jobs where I thought I’d be in and out—replace a shutoff, swap a faucet, that kind of thing. Then you hit a stuck valve or discover a corroded fitting that crumbles the second you touch it. Suddenly, you’re running to three different hardware stores because nobody stocks the exact part you need.
I’m pretty methodical, and I try to keep backup parts on hand, but older properties throw curveballs. Last year, I set aside a Saturday morning to replace a simple laundry drain in one of my rentals. Ended up finding an ancient cast iron trap that had basically fused itself to the rest of the line. Had to call in a plumber with a saw, and what should’ve been two hours turned into two days plus extra cost.
I’m convinced the “weekend job” is a myth unless it’s new construction or you’ve done the exact job before in that property. Even then, something unexpected always pops up. Maybe I’m just unlucky, but I don’t trust any timeline estimate unless I’ve got at least an extra half day built in for surprises.
Checklists are great, but sometimes you just can’t plan for 40-year-old plumbing.
Checklists are great, but sometimes you just can’t plan for 40-year-old plumbing.
That’s the truth. I’ve lost count of how many “quick” fixes turned into a full-day saga because some ancient fitting decided to disintegrate or a pipe was welded in place by decades of mineral buildup. Even with a solid checklist and a stash of spare parts, old houses just have their own agenda.
One thing that’s helped me a bit is doing a little exploratory work before the actual job—like, if I’m swapping out a faucet, I’ll take a peek under the sink a few days ahead to see what I’m really dealing with. Sometimes I’ll spot something sketchy (like corrosion or weird adapters) and at least have time to hunt down parts online instead of making those frantic hardware store runs.
Still, even with prep, there’s always that wildcard moment. I guess it’s just part of the charm of working on older places... or maybe that’s just what I tell myself to stay sane. Either way, I never trust the “should only take an hour” estimate anymore.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think the “exploratory work” can sometimes make things worse.
—I did that once and ended up cracking a brittle old shutoff valve before I even had parts on hand. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss until you’re ready to dive in. Maybe I’m just unlucky, but I almost prefer to tackle it all at once rather than risk disturbing anything beforehand.if I’m swapping out a faucet, I’ll take a peek under the sink a few days ahead
Honestly, I get that. Poking around before you’re ready can open a whole can of worms, especially with old plumbing. I’ve had a shutoff valve snap on me too—ended up with an unplanned trip to the hardware store and water everywhere. Sometimes you just want to line up all your supplies, take a deep breath, and rip the bandaid off in one go. Bad surprises are less stressful when you’re already committed to the mess, at least in my experience.
Sometimes you just want to line up all your supplies, take a deep breath, and rip the bandaid off in one go.
Totally get that. I’ve found it helps to have a bucket, towels, and a sense of humor ready before touching anything under the sink. Old plumbing’s basically a game of “what’s gonna break next?” but I do think prepping for the worst makes it less nerve-wracking. At least if you’re already expecting chaos, it’s not as shocking when it happens.
