How do you handle leaky pipes and clogged drains at home?

Cushion clamps are decent, but I’ve had them slip if the pipe gets warm - especially on vertical runs. I’m more partial to split ring hangers with a rubber insert, even though they’re a bit bulkier. Ever had issues with plastic supports getting brittle over time? That’s bitten me before in older installs.

I’ve definitely run into brittle plastic supports - found a few in my basement that basically crumbled when I touched them. I guess that’s what you get with 80-year-old plumbing. Ever tried those old-school metal J-hooks? I’m curious if they hold up better long-term, especially in damp spots.

Metal J-hooks are way tougher than the old plastic stuff, at least from what I’ve seen. In my last place, I swapped out a bunch of cracked plastic hangers for metal ones after finding a section of pipe sagging behind the washing machine. The metal held up fine, even in a damp crawlspace - just make sure you check for rust once in a while. They’re not invincible, but definitely less likely to crumble into dust when you touch them. If you’ve got dampness, maybe stick with galvanized or stainless if you can find ‘em... regular steel can rust out over time.

Metal J-hooks are way tougher than the old plastic stuff, at least from what I’ve seen. In my last place, I swapped out a bunch of cracked plastic hangers for metal ones after finding a section o...

I get where you’re coming from about metal being tougher, but I’ve had a weirdly different experience in my old house. The previous owner used all metal J-hooks in the basement, and after a few years, I found a couple that had rusted so badly they actually snapped when I tried to tighten them. Guess it depends on how damp things get - my crawlspace is basically a swamp half the year. I’ve started using those heavy-duty plastic hangers rated for outdoor use, and oddly enough, they’ve outlasted the old rusty metal so far. Maybe not as strong, but at least they don’t leave orange stains on the pipes...

That’s interesting - never really thought about how much the environment could affect the lifespan of metal hangers. I’ve always assumed metal would be the safer bet, but I guess if you’re dealing with a damp crawlspace, rust is going to win out eventually. The orange stains are a pain too; I’ve had to scrub those off copper pipes more than once.

I’m curious, have you tried any of those composite or recycled-material hangers? I’ve seen some that claim to be both rust-proof and stronger than standard plastic, but I haven’t actually used them myself. Wondering if they’d hold up better in a humid basement or if it’s just marketing hype. Also, do you do anything special to keep moisture down in your crawlspace, or is it just a losing battle most of the year? Sometimes I wonder if all these little fixes are just band-aids for bigger moisture issues...