Tell me about it... I once tried to replace a toilet shutoff valve and ended up replacing half the supply line after discovering it was basically welded together with rust. Did you have to cut open any walls, or did you get lucky there?
Did you have to cut open any walls, or did you get lucky there?
I got lucky this time—no drywall casualties. But honestly, every time I touch plumbing I half-expect to find a hidden leak or a pipe from the Truman era. Did you end up having to re-sweat any copper, or was it all threaded?
every time I touch plumbing I half-expect to find a hidden leak or a pipe from the Truman era
That’s the truth. Last year, I opened up what was supposed to be a “simple” vanity swap and found galvanized lines patched with copper and PEX—looked like a history lesson in one wall. Ended up re-sweating two joints because the old solder was so brittle it just crumbled. Sometimes you get lucky, other times you’re chasing leaks till midnight. Never trust what’s behind the drywall...
Never seen a “weekend plumbing job” actually stay a weekend, unless you’re just swapping out a faucet. Once you open up a wall, you’re basically rolling the dice. I’ve had houses where the pipes looked like they were cobbled together from whatever was on sale each decade—mix of cast iron, copper, PVC, even some old lead thrown in. Ever try matching threads on 60-year-old galvanized? Not fun. I always tell folks: expect the unexpected, especially with anything pre-1980s.
MAYBE IT DEPENDS ON THE HOUSE
I get what you’re saying about old pipes—my place is from the late ‘70s, and every time I touch the plumbing, I half expect to find a weird surprise. But I’ve actually pulled off a couple “weekend jobs” that didn’t spiral. Replaced a toilet and swapped out a section of copper last year. Didn’t even have to run to the hardware store more than twice, which felt like a win. Maybe I just got lucky, or maybe it’s because I triple-check everything before I start tearing into things... but not every project has to go sideways, right?