Drywall patches are my nemesis. No matter how careful I am, there’s always a weird bump or shadow.
That’s a common one. Even after years of doing this stuff, I’d say getting a patch truly invisible is harder than most folks think. Lighting makes every imperfection show up, and if the mud isn’t feathered out far enough, you’re stuck with that telltale “hump.” Access panels aren’t glamorous, but they save headaches when you know you’ll need to get back in there.
On push-fits—honestly, I use them sometimes for quick fixes or temporary setups, but anything behind tile or drywall gets soldered or at least compression fittings. Too many callbacks from hidden leaks over the years. Trust is earned, and those plastic teeth just haven’t earned it for me yet.
And yeah, those five-dollar drain snakes are worth their weight in gold. Beats pouring chemicals down the drain or mangling things with a coat hanger. The gross factor never really goes away though... part of the job, I guess.
I hear you on the push-fits. I’ve had a couple hold up fine, but there’s always that nagging doubt, especially if it’s somewhere you can’t check easily. For clogs, I’m all about the manual snake too—never had much luck with those chemical drain cleaners, and they just seem harsh on the pipes. Ever tried one of those little plastic zip-it tools for bathroom sinks? Surprisingly effective for hair clogs, and way less gross than pulling apart the trap.
Yeah, those zip-it tools are surprisingly handy—cheap, too. I’ve pulled out some gnarly hair clogs with them and didn’t even have to touch the trap. I’m with you on skipping the chemicals; they’re rough on old pipes and not great for the environment either. For leaks, I usually go with compression fittings if I can access the spot—less worry than push-fits in the long run.
I’ve had mixed luck with compression fittings—sometimes they’re a lifesaver, but I’ve seen a few start to seep after a year or two, especially on older copper. Ever tried using PEX with crimp rings for tricky spots? I’ve found it holds up better in tight remodels, but it’s not always an option if you’re dealing with really old plumbing.
Ever tried using PEX with crimp rings for tricky spots? I’ve found it holds up better in tight remodels, but it’s not always an option if you’re dealing with really old plumbing.
I hear you on compression fittings—on older copper, they can be hit or miss. PEX with crimp rings is definitely my go-to for new work or when I can transition cleanly, but like you said, it’s not always possible in houses with ancient lines or oddball connections. Sometimes I end up sweating a new stub-out just to get a reliable transition. Out of curiosity, have you ever tried those push-to-connect fittings (like SharkBite) for temporary fixes? I’ve used them in a pinch, but I’m always a bit wary about leaving them behind walls long-term.