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

I totally get the flexi-pipe paranoia - those things always seem to leak at the worst possible moment. I switched to PEX for a couple of repairs, and it’s held up better than I expected. Have you ever tried PEX, or do you stick with copper for everything?

I hear you on the flexi-pipe anxiety - those things make me nervous too, especially in an old house where one leak can turn into a whole project. I’ve dabbled with PEX here and there, mostly for spots that are tough to reach with rigid copper. Honestly, it’s surprised me how reliable it’s been, though I still lean toward copper for anything visible or high-traffic. There’s just something reassuring about the heft of copper, but I get why folks are switching over. If PEX is working for you, I’d say stick with it - no shame in making life a little easier.

There’s just something reassuring about the heft of copper, but I get why folks are switching over.

I get that - copper just feels solid, especially in older homes where you want things to last. I’ve had a few flexi-pipes go bad behind walls, and tracking down the leak was a pain. PEX is handy for tight spots, but I still trust copper for main lines. For clogs, I stick with a manual snake before reaching for chemicals...less risk to the pipes long-term.

I hear you on the flexi-pipes - had a similar headache last winter when one split behind some old plaster. Tracking down a slow leak in these older places is never straightforward. Copper just gives that peace of mind, even if it’s a bit more work up front. I still use PEX for tricky corners or quick repairs, but like you, I want copper for the main runs.

Manual snake is my go-to as well. Chemicals always make me nervous, especially with old pipes. Plus, half the time they don’t even clear the clog properly...just a mess to clean up after. You’re definitely not alone in wanting to keep things solid and reliable - sometimes the old ways really are best.

I get the appeal of copper - there’s something reassuring about seeing those solid lines running through the walls. But honestly, I’ve started leaning more toward PEX for most of my projects, even in older homes. The flexibility isn’t just about tricky corners; it actually handles expansion and contraction way better, especially in places where temperature swings are brutal. Plus, with the right fittings and a bit of planning, you can avoid a lot of the issues that come with old-school soldering (and the risk of torching your woodwork... learned that one the hard way).

On the drain side, I used to swear by manual snakes too, but after dealing with a few gnarly blockages in century-old houses, I caved and bought a small power auger. Total game changer - less elbow grease and it gets through those ancient cast iron bends without much fuss. Chemicals still make me nervous though; I’ve seen too many pipes eaten from the inside out. Sometimes new tech really does make life easier, even if it feels like cheating on tradition.

Totally get where you’re coming from on PEX. I was a copper diehard for years, but after wrestling with soldering in cramped spots (and nearly setting off the smoke alarms more than once), I’m all in on PEX now. Power augers are a lifesaver too - manual snakes just don’t cut it with old cast iron. And yeah, chemical drain cleaners are a last resort for me... seen too many horror stories with corroded pipes. Sometimes you’ve gotta let go of tradition if it means fewer headaches.

Funny you mention nearly setting off smoke alarms - I’ve had my fair share of singed insulation and scorched joists from soldering in tight crawlspaces. PEX has been a game changer for those awkward repairs, though I still get a little nostalgic for the old copper days. Power augers, yeah, those things have saved me hours of cursing at stubborn clogs. Ever run into issues with PEX fittings leaking after a few years? I’ve seen a couple that didn’t hold up as well as I’d hoped, especially in spots with a lot of vibration.

Ever run into issues with PEX fittings leaking after a few years? I’ve seen a couple that didn’t hold up as well as I’d hoped, especially in spots with a lot of vibration.

Funny, I’ve actually had the opposite experience - my old copper joints were always the ones giving me grief, especially in the basement where things shift a bit. Maybe it’s the type of PEX fittings you’re using? I stick to crimp rings and haven’t had leaks yet, even near the boiler where there’s plenty of vibration. Still, I do miss the solid feel of copper sometimes... just not the torch burns.

I’ve had mixed luck with both, honestly.

I stick to crimp rings and haven’t had leaks yet, even near the boiler where there’s plenty of vibration.

I hear you on the pinhole leaks with copper - had a run-in with that a few years back, and chasing those down is a pain.

If a fitting’s in a spot that moves or vibrates, I’ll add a support bracket or two - seems to help.

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...

I’ve actually tried a couple of those composite hangers - picked up a pack at the hardware store when I got tired of tossing out rusty ones. They’re not bad, honestly. The ones I got are made from recycled plastic mixed with some kind of fiberglass, and they’ve held up way better than the cheap plastic ones. No rust, obviously, and they don’t get brittle in the cold like some plastics do. Only downside is they’re a bit bulkier, so if you’re tight on space, that might be annoying.

About the crawlspace moisture... yeah, it’s a constant battle here too. I put down a vapor barrier (just heavy-duty plastic sheeting) and run a small dehumidifier during the worst months. It helps, but if there’s standing water or really high humidity, it’s more of a temporary fix. Sometimes I wonder if it’d be easier to just move somewhere drier, but then again, every house has its quirks. At least the composite hangers mean one less thing to worry about rusting out down there.