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plumbing check-up dilemma: DIY or hire a pro?

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nickcarpenter890
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(@nickcarpenter890)
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- 100% agree on not trusting push-to-connects behind drywall. They’re great for a quick fix, but if I can’t see it, I’m sweating copper or using PEX with proper crimps.
- Shutoff valves—yeah, reusing old ones is just asking for trouble. I’ve tried cleaning them up, but they always seem to drip or seize up later. Not worth the headache.
- Honestly, I’d rather spend the extra $10 and know I won’t be tearing into a wall next year. Learned that lesson the hard way after a “just fine” valve started leaking behind a vanity... never again.


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Couldn’t agree more about the shutoff valves—reusing them is like playing plumbing roulette. I tried to “save” a few bucks once and ended up with a slow drip that turned into a full-blown leak right after I finished painting. Lesson learned. Spending a little extra upfront is way less painful than patching drywall or, worse, dealing with water damage. Push-to-connects are handy, but yeah, if it’s going behind a wall, I want something I can trust for the long haul. Sometimes peace of mind is worth more than the cost of new parts.


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marley_thomas
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“if it’s going behind a wall, I want something I can trust for the long haul. Sometimes peace of mind is worth more than the cost of new parts.”

I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve had mixed results with “always buy new.” Sometimes, old brass shutoffs are way sturdier than the cheap new ones at big box stores. I’ll usually test them for leaks and corrosion, and if they’re solid, I keep them—especially if they’re accessible. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but not every old part is a gamble.


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photographer94
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Funny enough, I ran into this exact dilemma last year when I was redoing my laundry room. I found some old brass valves that looked ancient but still worked like a charm after a vinegar soak and some elbow grease. Still, when it came to running new lines behind drywall, I ended up swapping for new ones just for the peace of mind—couldn’t shake the “what if” worry. For stuff that’s visible or easy to get to, I’m all for reusing solid old parts, but if it’s getting buried, I usually bite the bullet and go new. Just feels safer in the long run, even if it stings the wallet a bit.


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johnseeker349
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I totally get where you’re coming from with the “what if” worry. I’ve had that same debate in my head more times than I can count, especially when it comes to stuff that’s going to be hidden away. There’s just something about sealing up a wall over old plumbing that makes me twitchy, even if the parts seem solid after a good cleaning.

For stuff that’s visible or easy to get to, I’m all for reusing solid old parts, but if it’s getting buried, I usually bite the bullet and go new.

That hits home. I once tried to save a few bucks by keeping some old copper lines in a bathroom reno—looked fine, no green spots or anything. Fast forward six months and I’m patching drywall because of a tiny pinhole leak. Lesson learned: if it’s going behind tile or drywall, new is the way to go for me now, even if it means eating ramen for a week.

But here’s where I sometimes second-guess myself—when it comes to doing the actual check-up or install, do you ever feel like you’re out of your depth? I’ve done plenty of basic swaps and repairs, but when it comes to pressure testing or anything involving the main shutoff, I start thinking maybe it’s worth calling in a pro. On the other hand, I’ve had plumbers come in and do exactly what I would’ve done, just with fancier tools.

Curious if you’ve ever had a DIY job go sideways and wished you’d called someone in—or maybe the opposite? Sometimes I wonder if we overthink it and end up spending more than we need to for peace of mind.


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