Epoxy putty is one of those things that sounds intimidating until you actually try it. I used to be in the same camp—worried I’d just end up with a lumpy mess and still have a leak. But honestly, it’s pretty forgiving. Worst case, you sand it down or start over. The trick is to knead it well and don’t overthink the application. It’s not going to win any beauty contests, but if you’re patching under a sink, who’s judging? If it holds, it holds. I’ve seen some “creative” fixes from clients that looked like modern art, but if it keeps the water in the pipe instead of on the floor, that’s a win in my book.
Wet/dry vac for clogs is genius, by the way. It can get gross, yeah, but sometimes it’s the only thing that works. I’d rather deal with a nasty vacuum filter than take apart a trap and fish out whatever unholy mess is lurking in there. Just make sure you’ve got a strong stomach and maybe a scented candle nearby.
I’ll admit, I’ve stared at pipes for an embarrassing amount of time, just trying to psych myself up. There’s something about plumbing that makes even the most confident DIY-er second guess every move. Maybe it’s the fear of flooding the place or just the mystery of what’s going on behind the walls. But once you get started, it’s usually not as bad as you imagine.
One thing I will say—don’t get too caught up in making it look perfect, especially if it’s tucked away. Function over form, at least until you can call in a pro or do a proper fix. And keep a towel handy. Always.
“don’t get too caught up in making it look perfect, especially if it’s tucked away. Function over form, at least until you can call in a pro or do a proper fix.”
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen plenty of “ugly” fixes that saved a cabinet from water damage. Sometimes you just need it to work, not win style points. And yes, always have a towel nearby—learned that the hard way...
“Sometimes you just need it to work, not win style points.”
Yeah, that’s the truth. I used to stress about making every patch job look perfect, but after my first under-sink leak, I realized nobody’s crawling under there to judge my handiwork. As long as it stops the drip and keeps the cabinet dry, I call it a win. Towel trick is clutch—been there, done that, still keep one handy just in case.
“As long as it stops the drip and keeps the cabinet dry, I call it a win.”
Funny how true that is. I’ve patched more pipes with epoxy putty and zip ties than I care to admit. Ever tried those flex seal tapes? Curious if they actually hold up under pressure or just for quick fixes.
Ever tried those flex seal tapes? Curious if they actually hold up under pressure or just for quick fixes.
Tried the flex tape once on a pinhole leak under the sink. It slowed it down but didn’t really stop it, and after a couple days it started peeling at the edges. Epoxy putty’s been way more reliable for me, honestly. For anything with real water pressure, I’d say don’t count on tape long-term.
