Man, Play-Doh and tape? That’s a new one. I’ve definitely seen my share of “creative” plumbing too—once found a leak that someone tried to seal with chewing gum. Didn’t last long, obviously. I get trying to avoid the labor cost, but undoing those DIY patches is half the job sometimes. Curious, has anyone actually had one of those cheap kit gaskets hold up long term, or is it pretty much always a redo? I’ve only ever seen them fail eventually, but maybe there’s a trick I’m missing.
Curious, has anyone actually had one of those cheap kit gaskets hold up long term, or is it pretty much always a redo?
- Cheap kit gaskets? Rarely seen one last more than a year or two, especially under a kitchen sink where it gets a lot of use.
- The rubber just doesn’t hold up to the heat and soap over time. Usually ends up brittle or starts leaking around the edges.
- Sometimes folks double up on plumber’s putty and it buys them a few months, but it’s still a patch job.
- I’ve had better luck with the higher-end silicone gaskets, but even then, prep is everything—if the surfaces aren’t clean, nothing lasts.
Ever run into those “universal” kits that claim to fit any sink but never actually seal right? Those are my least favorite to fix...
Yeah, those “universal” kits are the plumbing equivalent of one-size-fits-all hats—never quite right for anyone. I’ve tried to save a few bucks with the cheap gaskets, but it’s like putting a band-aid on a leaky dam. Honestly, after crawling under the sink for the third time in a year, I’d rather just pay a bit more up front and be done with it. The only thing universal about those kits is the frustration...
The only thing universal about those kits is the frustration...
Couldn’t agree more. I tried one of those “universal” sets thinking I’d save $20, but ended up with a slow drip that haunted me for months. Still, I get tempted by the cheap options—guess I’m stubborn. At this point, paying a little extra for quality parts seems like the real money-saver in the long run. Funny how “budget” fixes can end up costing more time and cash.
I hear you on the “universal” kits—my last one had a gasket that didn’t even line up with the drain. Ended up making three trips to the hardware store, and by the end, I’d spent more than if I’d just bought the name-brand kit in the first place. Sometimes it feels like the cheap stuff is designed to make you give up and call a plumber. I’m all for saving money, but after enough headaches, I’d rather pay a bit more upfront and be done with it.
