When the pipes don’t fit: a plumbing adventure

I gave up on reusing old ones after a slow drip kept me up half the night. Just not worth the hassle.

Funny thing, I’ve actually had decent luck reusing washers - at least the thicker rubber ones. If they aren’t cracked or flattened, sometimes a quick clean gets you by in a pinch. Not saying it’s best practice, but when you’re stuck on a Sunday night, it’s saved me a trip. That said, I do keep a stash of new ones now... lesson learned after a few too many midnight leaks. Color-coded tape’s handy, but I’ve found a Sharpie directly on the part works just as well for me.

I hear you on the midnight leaks - nothing like lying in bed listening to that drip and wondering if you should just get up and fix it or try to ignore it till morning. I’ve reused washers too, but only when I’m desperate. The real gamble for me is old compression fittings... sometimes they seal up fine, other times it’s a slow seep you don’t notice till you come back an hour later. Anyone ever tried those fiber washers instead of rubber? I’ve had mixed results, curious if I’m missing a trick.

Fiber washers are a bit of a mixed bag for me too. They can work alright if the mating surfaces are really clean and flat, but I’ve seen them shrink or get brittle over time, especially if there’s any heat involved. Rubber’s more forgiving, but it’ll swell or crack eventually. Honestly, with old compression fittings, I usually just bite the bullet and swap out the ferrule and nut if I can - saves me a headache later. Midnight leaks though... yeah, those always seem to wait for the worst possible moment.

I hear you on the fiber washers - had a job last winter where one just crumbled when I tightened it, even though everything looked fine. Ended up with a slow drip that turned into a mess by morning. I’m always wary of reusing old compression fittings too. If there’s any doubt, I just replace the whole thing. Not worth risking water damage, especially in older buildings where you never know what’s lurking behind the walls...

Had a similar thing happen with a brass olive on a compression joint - looked fine, but when I tightened it, the pipe just wouldn’t seal. Ended up having to cut the pipe back and start over. I get why people try to reuse fittings, but honestly, I’ve had more headaches than it’s worth. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just the older stuff that’s unpredictable, or if even new washers and fittings can be dodgy depending on the batch.

One thing I’ve noticed is that even new fiber washers can be brittle if they’ve been sitting in someone’s van for ages. Makes me double-check how long stuff’s been in the parts bin before using it. Not sure if anyone else has run into that, but it’s made me a bit paranoid about “new” parts not always being fresh. Water damage is such a pain to deal with... I’d rather spend a few extra minutes swapping out parts than risk a call-back.

One thing I’ve noticed is that even new fiber washers can be brittle if they’ve been sitting in someone’s van for ages.

That’s spot on - had a “new” rubber washer crumble on me once, and it was straight out of the packet. Guess shelf life really matters. I’m always torn between reusing bits for less waste and just buying fresh to avoid leaks. Has anyone found any eco-friendly brands that actually hold up better over time?

Yeah, I’ve run into that too - thought I was being smart by using up the “new” washers left behind by the previous owner, but a couple just snapped in half when I tightened them. Didn’t even think about shelf life until then. I’ve seen some compostable options online, but honestly, I’m not sure how well they last compared to the regular ones. Part of me wants to just stick with what works, but then I feel guilty about the waste... It’s a weird balance.

I get the guilt about tossing out stuff, but honestly, I’ve found that old washers just aren’t worth the hassle. If you’re trying to keep costs down and avoid leaks, here’s what I do: buy a small pack of decent rubber or silicone washers from the hardware store - nothing fancy, just fresh. Keep ‘em in a labeled baggie somewhere dry. Compostable ones sound good on paper, but I’ve seen mixed reviews about how long they last. For now, I’d stick with tried-and-true materials and just use what you need. Less waste from leaks in the long run, anyway.

“Compostable ones sound good on paper, but I’ve seen mixed reviews about how long they last.”

Yeah, I tried the compostable washers once - figured I’d be eco-friendly. Ended up with a slow drip under the sink after two months. Not a disaster, but enough to make me question the hype. Now I just keep a stash of rubber ones in an old Altoids tin. Not glamorous, but at least I’m not mopping up water every few weeks.

I had the same thought process - wanted to do the right thing for the planet, but after my first attempt with compostable washers, I ended up crawling under the sink at midnight trying to figure out where that annoying drip was coming from. Maybe they’re fine for super low-pressure spots, but for anything else, I’m sticking with rubber too. That Altoids tin idea is genius, by the way... mine are just rolling around in a drawer somewhere.

I get where you’re coming from with the compostable washers, but I’ve actually had a bit of luck with them in certain spots. Not every brand is created equal, though. Some of the ones I tried from a local eco shop were basically paper mâché once they got damp - total nightmare. But there are a couple out there that hold up surprisingly well, especially if you’re not cranking down the fittings too hard. I wouldn’t trust them on anything high-pressure (like under-sink supply lines), but for trap connections or garden hose stuff, they’ve worked out alright for me.

Honestly, I think half the battle is the install. I’ve seen folks overtighten and squish the life out of both compostable and rubber washers, which kind of defeats the purpose. It’s easy to think tighter = better, but sometimes it just means you’re asking for a leak.

That Altoids tin trick is clever. I’ve been using one of those old plastic tackle boxes - way less classy, but at least I can see what’s in there. Still, I’m tempted to upgrade just for nostalgia’s sake.

Anyway, not saying compostables are perfect (far from it), but I wouldn’t write them off entirely. Just gotta pick your battles with where you use ‘em - and maybe keep a flashlight handy for those midnight drip hunts...

Totally get what you mean about overtightening - been there, done that, and paid for it with a leaky mess. I’ve had mixed results with compostable washers too, but your point about picking your battles is spot on. Sometimes saving a few bucks (and the planet) is worth a little extra trial and error. The Altoids tin idea is genius, by the way. I might have to steal that one... tackle boxes just end up full of random screws and mystery parts in my house.

That Altoids tin trick is a classic - beats digging through a mountain of random hardware every time you need a washer or a tiny screw. I’ve tried using those little pill organizers too, but somehow they always end up with at least one compartment full of mystery gunk.

On the compostable washers, I hear you. They’re great in theory, but I’ve had a few swell up or just not seal right, especially if there’s any moisture hanging around. Sometimes the old-school rubber ones just work better, even if they’re not as eco-friendly. It’s a bit of a balancing act, for sure.

And yeah, overtightening is the silent killer of plumbing jobs... I still catch myself doing it now and then. It’s like muscle memory from trying to “make sure it’s tight enough,” but then you get that drip and realize you’ve crushed the washer or cracked the fitting. Live and learn, right?

Funny you mention the pill organizers - I tried those for a while and ended up with at least two sections full of what looked like pocket lint and some kind of mystery goo. The Altoids tin seems to hold up better, plus it’s just satisfying to snap it shut.

I’ve had the same luck (or lack thereof) with compostable washers. They sound great, but I swear they’re either too soft or end up swelling if there’s even a hint of moisture. Sometimes I just give in and go back to the rubber ones, even if it feels a little old-school. And yeah, overtightening... I think we’ve all been there. I still have a cracked plastic fitting in my toolbox as a reminder not to get carried away. It’s all part of the learning curve, right?

Yeah, I hear you on the compostable washers. Tried those once thinking I was doing the planet a favor, but they basically turned to mush after a month in my leaky bathroom sink. Back to rubber for me, too - at least I know what I’m getting. And overtightening... guilty as charged. Ever tried those silicone washers? I’m curious if they’re any better or just another gimmick.

Ever tried those silicone washers? I’m curious if they’re any better or just another gimmick.

- Gave silicone washers a shot when I swapped out the kitchen faucet. They *feel* sturdier than the compostable ones, but honestly, not sure they’re a game-changer.
- Didn’t notice any leaks for the first few months, but after about six, there was a slow drip. Not as bad as the compostable ones turning to mush, but still annoying.
- They’re definitely softer than rubber, so you have to be careful not to overtighten or they’ll squish out of shape. Learned that the hard way.
- Price-wise, they’re a bit more expensive. Not sure the extra cost is worth it unless you’re allergic to rubber or something.

If I had to pick, I’d stick with regular rubber for now. At least you know what you’re getting and they last longer than the “eco” options. Silicone isn’t terrible, just not the miracle fix some people claim. Maybe it depends on your water quality or how often you mess with your plumbing...

- Gotta admit, I’m team silicone on this one. The rubber ones always seem to crack on me after a year or two, especially with our hard water.
- Silicone’s pricier, yeah, but I’ve had the same set under my bathroom sink for three years - no leaks yet (knock on wood).
- Maybe it’s just luck or my pipes are less temperamental, but I’ll pay a couple extra bucks if it means fewer surprise drips at 2am.
- That said, totally agree about overtightening - squished one into oblivion once and had to fish out the gooey mess. Not my finest hour...

Which fitting are those washers for? I’d match its specified washer size, shape and material before choosing between silicone, rubber or fibre. The silicone washers being discussed are manufactured parts; applying silicone sealant around the joint would be a different repair. A material that works in one fitting may not be the right replacement in another.

Fiber washers are kind of a mixed bag in my experience. They swell up a bit when wet, which can help seal, but I’ve had them get brittle and crack over time - especially if you’re dealing with hot water. I usually stick to rubber unless I’m working on something old-school. On the silicone gasket thing, I’ve reused them a couple times if they looked clean and weren’t deformed, but honestly, I always wonder if I’m just asking for a slow leak down the line. Anyone ever tried those PTFE (Teflon) washers? Curious if they’re worth the extra cost.

I’ve actually tried PTFE washers a couple times when I was working on a leaky kitchen tap. They seemed to hold up better than fiber, especially with hot water, but they’re definitely stiffer and can be tricky to seat right if the surface isn’t perfect. I still end up using rubber most of the time just out of habit. Has anyone had issues with PTFE washers compressing too much or not sealing well on older fittings?