That green stuff freaked me out the first time I saw it—thought my pipes were growing mold or something. I totally get what you mean about the “it’s just a pipe swap” mentality. I tried to replace a section of copper with PEX last year, thinking it’d be a quick weekend project. Ended up making three trips to the hardware store because I didn’t realize how many different types of fittings there are, and apparently not all crimp tools are created equal.
I agree, sometimes it’s just not worth the stress (or the risk of a hidden leak). But I also get wanting to learn and save some cash. For me, I ended up calling in a plumber after my “fix” started dripping. Cost more than if I’d just hired them in the first place, but at least now I know my limits... and where the shutoff valve is. If you’re going to DIY, maybe start with something visible and accessible before tackling anything behind walls. That way, if something goes sideways, you’ll catch it before it becomes a disaster.
Honestly, I tried swapping out an old faucet once, thinking it’d be a quick fix. Ended up scratching the countertop and still had to call a plumber. Sometimes DIY saves money, but if it’s hidden or tricky, I just hire out now. Less headache.
I totally get that—last year I tried to replace a leaky shutoff valve under the sink, thinking it’d be a quick eco-upgrade. Ended up with water everywhere and a weird rattle in the pipes. If I can see all the parts and turn off the water, I’ll give it a shot, but anything hidden or old, I’m calling in a pro. Sometimes the “simple” jobs are the ones that go sideways...
Plumbing always seems easy until you’re ankle-deep in water, right? I’ve seen folks get tripped up by “just swapping a valve” more times than I can count. Ever try to loosen a 30-year-old fitting and end up twisting the whole pipe? That’s a classic. If you can see what you’re working with and it’s newer, sure, give it a go. But once you’re dealing with old or hidden stuff, it’s like opening a can of worms… sometimes literally. Curious—did you ever figure out what caused the rattle?
Yeah, that “just swap a valve” trick gets me every time—especially in houses where the pipes look like they’ve survived three world wars. I once tried to fix a slow drip and ended up chasing a leak through two walls. As for rattles, nine times out of ten it’s a loose pipe clamp or water hammer, but I’ve also found old washers bouncing around in there. Sometimes you fix one thing and three more pop up... kinda like plumbing whack-a-mole.
