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

Had a similar situation with enzyme cleaners in my 1960s place - worked fine for maintenance, but once I tried it on a slow kitchen drain and ended up making things worse. Had to snake it after all. I’d echo your point:

Still prefer a good old-fashioned plunger or snake if things get gnarly.

Honestly, nothing beats a manual snake for older pipes. Never seen actual pipe damage from enzymes, but I’m careful not to overdo it. For leaks, I usually go straight to pipe tape or a compression fitting - quick fixes until I can do a proper repair.

I get the love for a manual snake - definitely a lifesaver with old pipes, but I’ve actually had decent luck with enzyme cleaners if I give them enough time. Maybe it’s just my luck or the way my plumbing’s set up, but I usually let them sit overnight and they clear minor clogs without much fuss. That said, for anything stubborn, yeah, nothing beats getting in there with a snake.

For leaks, though, I’m not as quick to reach for pipe tape. Had it fail on me once when the water pressure kicked up. These days, I lean toward those self-fusing silicone wraps - they’re not perfect, but they’ve held better for me as a stopgap. Still end up crawling under the sink eventually... just nice to buy some time.

Manual snakes are my go-to for anything more than a slow drain. Enzyme cleaners are hit or miss for me - sometimes they work, sometimes I’m just left waiting and end up grabbing the plunger anyway. Maybe it’s the age of my pipes or just bad luck, but I don’t always trust them to do the job.

For leaks, I’ve had pipe tape let me down too, especially on older threads that aren’t perfect anymore. The silicone wraps are decent for a quick fix, but I’ve actually had better luck with those rubber repair clamps you can tighten down. Not the prettiest solution, but they’ll hold until I can get to the hardware store or call in a pro if it’s above my pay grade.

If I had to break it down: 1) Try the plunger first, 2) Snake if that fails, 3) Enzyme cleaner only if it’s a minor clog and I’m feeling patient. For leaks, 1) Tighten fittings, 2) Silicone wrap or clamp as a temp fix, 3) Replace the section if it keeps coming back. Not fancy, but it keeps things moving without blowing the budget.

I hear you on the pipe tape - on my old house, those threads are more “suggestions” than actual spirals. I’ve had mixed luck with the rubber clamps, but they’re definitely better than mopping up every hour. For clogs, I’m a plunger loyalist too, though once I tried a coat hanger and… let’s just say it didn’t end well for the hanger or the clog. Sometimes you just gotta accept defeat and call in the pros before you flood the basement.

I totally get the coat hanger disaster - been there, regretted that. I tried one of those drain snakes from the hardware store and it actually worked better than I expected, though it took some patience. Ever tried using one of those inflatable drain bladders? I’ve heard mixed things but haven’t been brave enough yet.