I hear you on the towels—sometimes I wonder if I should just keep a stack in every room. I’ve had mixed luck with Teflon tape, though. It’s cheap and easy, but I’ve had a couple leaks sneak through when I thought I’d wrapped it right. Ever tried those compression fittings? They’re a bit pricier, but I’m not sure if they’re worth the extra cost for a basic fix. Curious if anyone’s found them to be more reliable, or just another thing to over-tighten...
Compression fittings are definitely more forgiving than Teflon tape, especially if you’re dealing with older pipes that aren’t perfectly smooth. I’ve had them hold up for years without a drip, but yeah, you can overtighten and crush the ferrule if you’re not careful. For a quick midnight fix, I’d trust a compression fitting over tape any day—just don’t muscle it too much.
Had a similar midnight adventure once—compression fitting saved my butt (and my floors). I was half-asleep, hands shaking, and honestly, if I’d tried Teflon tape in that state, the whole bathroom would’ve been a slip-n-slide. You’re right about overtightening though. First time, I cranked it down like I was arm wrestling the pipe… ended up with a tiny leak and a bruised ego. Now I just go snug and call it good.
I get the love for compression fittings in a pinch, but I’ve seen them fail more times than I’d like—especially if the pipe isn’t perfectly clean or lined up. Honestly, Teflon tape’s saved me more headaches than it’s caused, even when I’m running on fumes at 2am. Trick is not to overdo it—just a couple wraps and don’t crank the fitting like you’re trying to break it. Sometimes “snug” is all you need, but I’ve had to go just a bit tighter to stop a stubborn drip. Every setup’s got its own quirks, I guess.
Trick is not to overdo it—just a couple wraps and don’t crank the fitting like you’re trying to break it.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen folks muscle those fittings and end up with a bigger mess. Teflon tape’s been my go-to for years—just gotta know when to stop twisting. Midnight fixes are always an adventure, huh?
