"Switched everything out to quarter-turns after that mess."
Totally get it—had a similar fiasco last summer. Didn't even know what a ball valve was until my kitchen became an indoor sprinkler... but yeah, quarter-turn valves are a game changer. Glad your back's happier now!
Quarter-turn valves definitely simplify things—less twisting and fewer leaks down the line. Curious though, anyone tried pairing them with braided stainless steel supply lines? Switched mine out recently, and they've held up nicely so far...
I've had quarter-turn valves with braided lines under my kitchen sink for about three years now—no leaks yet. But I'm curious, has anyone noticed if braided lines hold up better long-term compared to standard plastic tubing?
Braided lines are solid, but honestly, I've had plastic tubing under my sink for almost a decade now without any drama. Maybe I'm just lucky—or tempting fate by even mentioning it—but I think installation quality matters more than the material itself. Plus, plastic tubing is usually cheaper and easier to replace if something does go wrong. Just my two cents...or maybe three, considering inflation these days.
I've gotta disagree a bit here. Sure, plastic tubing can hold up fine if you're lucky, but durability aside, there's an environmental angle to consider. Plastic tubing tends to degrade over time and eventually ends up in the landfill—especially if you're replacing it more frequently. I've switched over to braided stainless steel lines for that exact reason. They're tougher, last longer, and you're not tossing out plastic every few years. Yeah, they're pricier upfront, but honestly, I'd rather pay a bit extra once and not worry about leaks or replacements down the road. Plus, fewer trips to the hardware store means less hassle and less waste overall. Just something else to think about...
