- I hear you on reusing supply lines—I’ve gambled a couple times if they looked decent, but every time I do, I get paranoid for weeks. Last time, I had to crawl under the sink at midnight because the “good as new” line started sweating. Ended up costing me more in lost sleep than just replacing the thing.
- The labor prices are wild. Plumber quoted me $400 for a faucet swap, and I figured, how hard can it be? Two hours, three YouTube videos, and one bruised ego later, it was done... but hey, saved a few bucks.
- Anyone ever try those “no tools needed” push-fit valves? I’m tempted, but something about not using a wrench feels like cheating.
Push-fits have their place, but I wouldn’t trust them everywhere. They’re great in a pinch or for tight spots where swinging a wrench is a nightmare. That said, I’ve seen a couple fail after a few years—usually when someone didn’t deburr the pipe or pushed it on just shy of fully seated. For anything under constant pressure, like under a sink, I still reach for compression fittings and a wrench. Maybe I’m old-school, but I sleep better knowing it’s tight.
Reusing supply lines… I get the temptation, but those things are cheap insurance. I’ve seen “good as new” lines burst and flood a kitchen at 3 a.m. Not worth the risk, even if they look fine on the outside.
$400 for a faucet swap is steep, but I guess you’re paying for peace of mind (and someone else’s scraped knuckles). Doing it yourself is satisfying—until you’re stuck upside down under the cabinet cursing at a rusted nut.
Push-fits honestly make me nervous under a sink. I get why folks like them—fast, easy, and you don’t have to fight with two wrenches in a space barely big enough for your head. But I’ve seen them weep just enough to ruin a cabinet, and you’re right, it’s usually from a sloppy install. I’ll take a compression fitting any day, even if it means a few extra minutes and some knuckle bruises.
On the supply lines—yeah, reusing them is playing with fire. They’re cheap, and if one lets go, you’re looking at way more than $10 in damage. I’ve replaced lines that looked fine but were crusty inside or had that weird bubble near the crimp. Not worth it.
$400 for a faucet swap? Wild. I did my mom’s last month for the cost of pizza and a six-pack. But I get it—sometimes you just want someone else to deal with the headache. Those old mounting nuts are evil.
Yeah, push-fits under the sink make me uneasy too. They’re great for speed, but I’ve seen a few pop off or drip just enough to cause a headache later. Compression fittings aren’t glamorous, but they’re reliable if you take your time. And supply lines—totally agree, just swap them every time. It’s not worth risking a flood over a few bucks. That $400 install price is wild, but honestly, some of those old nuts feel like they’re welded on... I’ve had to cut a few out myself.
Had a tenant call me once because the “pipe under the sink exploded.” Turns out, it was a push-fit that decided to give up on life at 3am. Water everywhere, cabinet swelling up like a marshmallow. Ever since then, I don’t trust those things unless I’m desperate or it’s a temporary fix.
I’ve wrestled with those old supply nuts too—sometimes I swear they’re fused to the sink by ancient plumbing magic. Ended up with a hacksaw in one hand and a few choice words in the other. Compression fittings might not be fancy, but at least they don’t sneak up on you with a surprise leak six months later.
As for the $400 install, I get it... labor’s not cheap, and some of those jobs turn into archaeological digs. But if you’ve got the patience (and a good set of wrenches), swapping out supply lines and fittings yourself can save a small fortune. Just don’t skimp on the new hoses—learned that lesson the hard way too.
