"Took me a weekend (and a couple YouTube tutorials), but no leaks yet... fingers crossed."
Haha, I feel you on the YouTube tutorials—those things have saved my sanity more times than I can count. When I replaced mine, I went with copper instead of PEX. Nothing against PEX, just felt more comfortable with copper since that's what my dad always used. It was pricier upfront, but I'm hoping it'll last longer and maybe boost resale value down the line.
Honestly though, the sneaky rust issue is no joke. When I took out the old galvanized pipes, they looked fine from the outside, but inside was like something out of a horror movie—rusty flakes everywhere. Had no idea it was that bad until I cut them open. Definitely one of those hidden homeowner surprises nobody warns you about...
I totally get the YouTube tutorial thing—honestly, I think half my house is held together by random DIY videos at this point, haha. Props to you for going with copper though. I seriously considered it, but when I saw the price tags at the hardware store, my wallet basically screamed at me. Ended up going with PEX mostly because of budget reasons, and it's been holding up so far (knock on wood). I agree copper feels more solid and traditional, probably better in the long run if you can swing it.
And oh man, galvanized pipes...been there. When I first moved into my place, the water pressure was so bad, it was like trying to wash dishes under a dripping faucet. When I finally got around to replacing the pipes, same story—looked decent from the outside, but inside was a total rust-fest. I swear, some of those pipes looked like they'd been salvaged from a sunken ship or something. Definitely one of those hidden nightmares nobody mentions when you're house-hunting.
Speaking of sneaky homeowner surprises, anyone else ever had issues with the shut-off valves under the sink? Mine were ancient and basically fused shut. Had to replace those too, which added another unexpected trip to the store (and another YouTube search). If you're already in there replacing pipes, might be worth checking those valves while you're at it. Better than discovering they're stuck when you've got water spraying everywhere... ask me how I know.
Anyway, glad your project turned out leak-free so far—fingers crossed it stays that way. Nothing worse than finishing a job and then having to redo it all because of a tiny drip you missed.
I definitely second checking those shut-off valves while you're at it. When I replaced my kitchen sink, I found mine were completely corroded and barely functional. Ended up swapping them out for quarter-turn ball valves—way more reliable and easier to shut off quickly if something goes wrong. Costs a bit extra upfront but saves you from potential water damage headaches later... learned that the hard way myself.
Quarter-turn ball valves are solid, but are they always worth the extra cost? Depends on your plumbing situation and how often you're really using those valves. If your pipes are older or you're in an area with harder water, yeah, probably a smart move. But if everything looks decent and you're not messing with the valves regularly, might be overkill. Still, can't hurt to check—nothing worse than scrambling to shut off a stuck valve when water's pouring out under the sink... been there myself.
Quarter-turn valves definitely have their place, especially if you're dealing with older plumbing or mineral buildup. But sometimes, yeah, it's hard to justify the extra expense if your setup's in good shape. One thing I'd consider—how accessible are your shutoff valves? If they're tucked away in some cramped cabinet or awkward spot, the ease of a quarter-turn can really pay off down the road. Have you guys noticed any real difference in reliability between brands, or do they all pretty much hold up the same?