I see your point about stainless steel lines, and I totally get the environmental angle. But as a first-time homeowner on a tighter budget, I've found that quality plastic tubing (like PEX) can actually last quite a while if installed properly. The key is making sure it's not kinked or exposed to direct sunlight. Mine's been holding up great for a few years now—no leaks yet. Maybe down the road I'll upgrade, but for now, it's doing the job without breaking the bank...
"The key is making sure it's not kinked or exposed to direct sunlight."
You're spot-on about installation being critical. Properly installed PEX can indeed last a long time—I've seen setups going strong past the 10-year mark without issues. Just make sure you're using quality fittings and crimp rings, and double-check your connections. Also, consider adding shut-off valves under each fixture if you haven't already; it'll save you headaches down the line if something does spring a leak...
Good call on the shut-off valves—wish I'd thought of that before my sink decided to turn into a sprinkler. 😂 Quick question though, does indirect sunlight through a window count as "direct sunlight"? Just wondering if I need to rearrange some stuff under there...
Indirect sunlight through a window isn't really considered direct sunlight—it's usually diffused enough not to cause issues. Honestly, I've seen plenty of setups under sinks with indirect light, and it's rarely a problem. But if you're storing anything sensitive like certain plastics or rubber seals, it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on them occasionally. Had a customer once whose cleaning supplies got brittle from constant indirect sun exposure over years, but that's pretty rare. I'd say you're probably fine leaving things as-is unless you notice something weird happening down the line.
- First thing I'd grab? Definitely a towel or two—fast. Learned the hard way that water under the sink spreads quicker than gossip at a family reunion.
- Next, shut off the water valve under the sink ASAP. If yours is stuck (been there), main water shut-off is your friend.
- About indirect sunlight, gotta mildly disagree here. Had some rubber seals dry out and crack after just a couple years near a sunny window. Not saying it's common, but it happens.
- Honestly though, if you're regularly checking under there for leaks or issues anyway, you'll probably notice any sun damage long before it's serious.
- Quick tip: if your valve handles are stiff or rusty, spray 'em with WD-40 now. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later when water's spraying everywhere and you need to shut things down fast...
