I hear you on the overtightening thing—I've definitely been guilty of that, especially when I was first learning my way around plumbing stuff. It's so tempting to just keep cranking until it "feels" secure, but more often than not, that's where things go sideways. The last time I swapped out a sink strainer, I went with a mid-range one (about $17 at the hardware store), and just used a regular pair of channel locks, no crazy torque. No leaks so far, fingers crossed.
Curious if anyone has tried those all-in-one kits that come with the putty and everything? I always wonder if they're worth the extra few bucks or if it's just as easy to piece it together yourself. Also, has anyone actually paid for a pro to do this job? I did a quick check and the quotes were all over the place—some folks wanted $150+, which seemed wild for such a straightforward swap... unless I'm missing something?
Curious if anyone has tried those all-in-one kits that come with the putty and everything? I always wonder if they're worth the extra few bucks or if it's just as easy to piece it together yourself.
I’ve used those all-in-one kits a couple times—honestly, they’re fine if you don’t already have plumber’s putty or new gaskets lying around, but you’re definitely paying for convenience. The parts themselves aren’t any better quality than what you’d get buying them separately. If you already have basic supplies, just grab the strainer by itself and save a few bucks.
As for hiring out, $150+ seems steep unless there’s something weird about your setup or the old one is rusted in place. I’ve only paid for a pro once, and that was because the previous owner epoxied the strainer in (no idea why). Otherwise, it’s a straightforward job—just takes some patience and not overtightening like you mentioned. For most folks comfortable with basic tools, it’s not worth paying someone unless you run into something unexpected.
I hear you on the convenience factor—sometimes it’s just easier to grab the kit and not think about it, especially if you’re in the middle of a project and don’t want to make another trip to the store. I’ve noticed the gaskets in those kits can be hit or miss, though. Had one where the rubber was so stiff it barely sealed, ended up digging through my toolbox for a better one anyway.
That $150+ for labor seems wild unless you’re dealing with ancient plumbing or something really corroded. I had a nightmare once where the old strainer was basically welded in by years of mineral buildup. Ended up using a hacksaw and a lot of cursing. Curious—has anyone run into weird setups under their sink? Like, I’ve seen some Frankenstein jobs with random fittings and mystery sealants... always makes me wonder what the previous owner was thinking.
Curious—has anyone run into weird setups under their sink? Like, I’ve seen some Frankenstein jobs with random fittings and mystery sealants... always makes me wonder what the previous owner was thinking.
Oh, the “mystery sealant” special—I know it well. Last year, I pulled out a trap that looked like it had been held together with equal parts silicone, duct tape, and wishful thinking. I’m all for reusing materials and not wasting, but there’s a line between resourceful and reckless. Some of these DIY fixes are like archaeological digs: you’re never quite sure what you’ll uncover.
That $150+ labor charge is tough to swallow. I get that pros need to make a living, but unless you’re dealing with pipes that look like they’ve survived the Titanic, it feels excessive. I try to do most repairs myself, partly because I don’t love the idea of paying for new parts when the old ones can be cleaned up and reused. Sometimes it works out... sometimes you end up making three trips to the hardware store anyway.
And yeah, those kit gaskets are notorious for being junk. I keep a stash of decent-quality washers and gaskets just in case—saves a lot of frustration (and water).
I’ve seen some wild stuff under sinks—once found a drain line patched with what looked like Play-Doh and electrical tape. Not kidding. People get creative when they’re desperate or just don’t want to call someone in. But here’s the thing: those “temporary” fixes usually end up costing more in the long run. I get wanting to save a buck, but if you’re using random sealants or whatever’s in the junk drawer, odds are you’ll be dealing with leaks or even water damage down the road.
About that labor charge—yeah, it stings, but there’s a reason for it. Half the time, we’re not just swapping out a part; we’re undoing years of questionable repairs and figuring out what’s actually going on behind all that gunk and tape. Sometimes it takes longer to clean up the mess than to do the actual fix.
And those kit gaskets? Total garbage most of the time. I always keep a stash of decent ones too, because nothing’s worse than finishing a job and realizing you’ve got a slow drip thanks to some paper-thin gasket that came in a $5 kit.