That “feel” thing is such a mystery to me too. I swear, sometimes I think I’ve got it—everything threads together just right, no leaks, no drama. Other times, it’s like the pipes are out to get me and nothing wants to seal. I’ve definitely overtightened before and paid for it with a busted fitting or two... and those late-night hardware runs are never fun.
Do you ever use a torque wrench for plumbing stuff? I’ve heard some folks swear by them, but honestly, I usually just go by hand and hope for the best. Also, with Teflon tape—have you noticed if certain brands actually make a difference, or is it all about the thickness? Sometimes I wonder if half my issues are just from using whatever random roll was cheapest at the store.
Curious if anyone’s found a trick for getting old pipe dope off threads without making a total mess. Mineral spirits work okay, but sometimes it feels like you need something stronger...
Kitchen Sink Disaster—DIY Or Call A Plumber?
That “feel” is honestly the trickiest part of plumbing for me too. I’ve had days where everything just clicks, and then others where I’m convinced the pipes are mocking me. I’ve tried a torque wrench a couple times, but honestly, it felt like overkill for most of the stuff under a kitchen sink. Maybe for gas lines or something more critical, but for basic fittings, I still go by hand. I do try to be mindful about not cranking down too hard—learned that lesson after splitting a PVC trap and flooding the cabinet at 2am.
Teflon tape is weirdly inconsistent. I’ve noticed the cheap, thin stuff tears way too easily and doesn’t seem to seal as well. The thicker, name-brand rolls (the yellow gas-rated one is actually great for stubborn threads) seem to work better, but I’ll admit I’ve used whatever was in the drawer more than once.
Getting old pipe dope off is a pain. I’ve used a brass wire brush and a little acetone when mineral spirits didn’t cut it, but it’s messy and you have to be careful not to damage the threads. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth the hassle or if just replacing the fitting is easier...
Yeah, that “feel” is a real thing—sometimes you just know when it’s tight enough, but other days it’s like the threads are playing tricks on you. I totally agree about torque wrenches being overkill for most kitchen sink jobs. Hand-tight plus a little nudge with pliers usually does it for me, unless it’s something critical.
On Teflon tape, I’ve had the same experience. The cheap stuff is basically useless, and if you wrap too much, you can actually make leaks worse. For old pipe dope, I’ll sometimes use a dental pick to get into the threads—messy, but it works. If the fitting looks rough after cleaning, I just swap it out. Sometimes spending an extra $5 saves a lot of headache later...
Not sure I’m totally on board with the “hand-tight plus a nudge” approach, at least for older plumbing. I’ve had a couple times where I thought it was fine, only to find a slow drip a week later. Maybe it’s just my luck with these ancient pipes, but I’ve started using a torque wrench just to be safe—overkill or not. Also, is anyone else a little wary of swapping out fittings too quickly? Sometimes I feel like the new stuff isn’t as sturdy as the old brass ones, even if they look rough. Just me?
I’ve started using a torque wrench just to be safe—overkill or not.
Honestly, I think the torque wrench is a bit much for most home jobs, especially with older threads that might already be worn. I get the urge to crank it down, but sometimes that’s what cracks the fitting in the first place. I usually stick with the “hand-tight plus a nudge” and then check for drips over a day or two. As for new fittings, I’m with you—some of the modern stuff feels like cheap pot metal compared to the old brass. If the old part isn’t corroded through, I’ll reuse it every time.
