WEEKEND PLUMBING JOBS ARE NEVER JUST A WEEKEND
Man, the number of times I’ve started a “quick” job and ended up knee-deep in 1950s mystery gunk… I once found a whole mouse nest inside a wall cavity, right next to a leaking joint. Ended up redoing half the run because there was no way I was patching over that. I agree—if you see more than one bad spot, it’s usually a sign the whole thing’s on borrowed time. But yeah, sometimes you just have to pick your battles, especially if it means tearing out tile you actually like.
WEEKEND PLUMBING JOBS ARE NEVER JUST A WEEKEND
I hear you. Every time I think I’m just swapping out a faucet or fixing a “small” leak, it turns into a full-blown project. Bought a duplex last year and figured I’d just replace a couple of shutoff valves in the basement—ended up tracing the whole line because the pipes were so corroded, they crumbled when I touched them. At that point, you’re basically committed, right?
I get wanting to save the tile, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. In my experience, if you see one bad spot, there’s usually more hiding out of sight. It’s tough balancing what you want to keep with what actually needs fixing, especially in older places. But yeah, “weekend job” is almost always wishful thinking...
WHEN DOES A "WEEKEND PLUMBING JOB" EVER ACTUALLY TAKE A WEEKEND?
Yeah, “weekend job” is just code for “cancel your plans for the next two weeks.” Every time I open up a wall in my 1920s place, I’m half-expecting to find a secret tunnel or something. Last time I tried to fix a leaky toilet, I ended up replacing half the floor joist because it was basically mulch. Honestly, I’m starting to think old houses just laugh at our optimism. Anyone ever actually finish a plumbing job in a weekend? I’m not convinced it’s possible...
WHEN DOES A "WEEKEND PLUMBING JOB" EVER ACTUALLY TAKE A WEEKEND?
I hear you on the optimism—old houses have a way of humbling even the most confident DIYer. In my experience, the “weekend job” myth is right up there with “just needs a coat of paint.” The thing is, plumbing in houses from the ‘20s comes with a whole set of unknowns. You think you’re dealing with just a leaky fixture, but then you find out the subfloor is rotted, or there’s some ancient pipe that’s been patched a dozen times. It’s never just what you see on the surface.
I’ve managed to finish a couple of smaller plumbing jobs in a weekend, but only because I planned for the worst and had every possible tool and part on hand. Even then, there was usually a last-minute run to the hardware store. If you want any chance of sticking to that weekend timeline, you have to be almost obsessive about prep—measure everything, buy extras, and be ready to pivot if things unravel. But honestly? With an old house, I’d always double whatever time you think it’ll take. That’s just the reality.
If you actually finish a plumbing job in a weekend, you either own a time machine or you’re hiding something. Last time I tried, I found knob-and-tube wiring behind the shower wall... ended up calling my Monday “plumbing overtime.” Always expect surprises.
