Honestly, I used to think the same way about plastic traps, but after my last plumbing bill, I gave the “no tools” ones a shot. Here’s what worked for me: I wrapped the threads with a bit of plumber’s tape and made sure not to overtighten. Haven’t had a drip since, and it was way easier on my back and wallet. Sometimes I wonder if the leaks are more about the install than the material...
- Gotta say, you nailed it with the plumber’s tape trick. Most leaks I see are from folks cranking down too hard or skipping that step entirely.
- Plastic traps get a bad rap, but honestly, if you install them right and check for cross-threading, they hold up fine for most kitchens.
- I’ve swapped out plenty of old metal ones that were way more corroded than any plastic I’ve seen fail.
- Still, I keep an eye on them—plastic can get brittle over time, especially if you’re rough on it or use harsh cleaners.
- Sounds like you did everything right. Sometimes it really is just about the install, not the material... though I still keep a wrench handy, just in case.
Curious if you’ve ever had a plastic trap warp from hot water over time? I’ve seen a couple get a little out of shape, especially under older sinks where folks dump boiling pasta water straight down. Maybe it’s just luck or water temp, but I’m never sure how much is install vs. just material limits.
I’ve definitely seen those plastic traps get a little wonky after years of hot water—especially when someone dumps a whole pot of boiling pasta water right down the drain. In my last place, the trap started sagging and eventually leaked at the joint. I tried tightening it, but the threads were warped. Ended up swapping it for a metal one from the hardware store—wasn’t too pricey and seems to hold up better. If you’re on a budget, maybe just avoid pouring boiling water straight in... or let it cool a bit first? That’s what I do now, just in case.
- Totally get this.
- I learned the hard way that those plastic traps are basically spaghetti noodles after a few years of abuse—mine drooped like a sad balloon animal.
- Swapping to metal was a mini victory, but man, those threads are sharp.
- Now I just dump pasta water in the yard... my grass probably hates me, but at least the sink’s dry.
