Had to redo the plumbing in my tiny basement bathroom recently, and man, space was tight. Ended up sketching it out first, then dry-fitting everything before gluing. Helped me catch a few dumb mistakes early, you know? Also used flexible connectors in a couple tricky spots—saved me a headache or two. Curious if anyone's got other tricks or shortcuts for plumbing in cramped areas...
"Ended up sketching it out first, then dry-fitting everything before gluing."
Sketching and dry-fitting is honestly the smartest move you can make in tight spots—saved my butt a couple times, too. Flexible connectors are handy, but I've found they can sometimes mask alignment issues that bite you later. A trick I picked up after a few frustrating jobs is to use compact fittings like street elbows or sanitary tees designed specifically for tight spaces. They shave off a surprising amount of room.
Also, don't underestimate how much easier things get when you switch to smaller-diameter pipes (where code allows). I was skeptical at first, but it made a huge difference in a cramped laundry room job I did last summer. Still, gotta be careful with smaller pipes—clogs become a bigger hassle.
One thing I'm curious about: anyone tried those adjustable offset flanges for toilets in tight basement bathrooms? I've heard mixed reviews—some swear by them, others say they're asking for trouble down the road...
