WHEN THE TOILET FLOODS AT MIDNIGHT: MY DIY SAVE
Man, I hear you on the plastic vs. metal debate. I once tried those “never corrode” plastic angle stops in a rental, thinking I was a genius—three years later, one split and turned the bathroom into a kiddie pool at 1am. At least with brass, you get some warning with that crusty buildup before it gives up. Honestly, I keep a stash of both in my truck now. Sometimes you just gotta play plumber roulette and hope for the best... but yeah, nothing wakes you up like cold water on your socks at midnight.
At least with brass, you get some warning with that crusty buildup before it gives up.
That’s exactly why I’m always side-eyeing those plastic fittings. Sure, they’re “never corrode,” but nobody talks about how brittle they get over time. I get the appeal—cheaper, lighter, supposedly eco-friendlier to make—but if you have to replace them every few years, is it really less waste? Brass isn’t perfect either (mining’s a whole other issue), but at least you can usually spot trouble before disaster hits. I’d rather deal with a slow drip than a midnight flood any day.
Had a similar situation last winter—plastic connector on the fill valve just snapped out of nowhere. No warning, just a sudden spray. Brass might get ugly, but at least you see it coming. I’ll take crusty over brittle any day...
Yeah, those plastic connectors are a gamble. Had one snap on a customer’s place a couple years back—middle of the night, too. Water everywhere, and the shutoff valve was stuck. Took ages to mop up. Brass might look rough after a while, but at least you get some warning signs before it goes. I’ll take a little green crust over a surprise geyser any day...
Brass might look rough after a while, but at least you get some warning signs before it goes.
That’s the thing—at least with brass, you can spot corrosion or leaks early. Ever tried those stainless braided hoses? I’ve seen a few fail at the crimp, but they seem more reliable than plastic. Curious if anyone’s had issues with those long-term?