Never had a flex trap go more than six months without a drip or a stink—just feels like a temporary fix, not a solution. Compression fittings with rigid pipe can be a pain to get lined up, but once they're in, you can usually forget about them. Anyone ever had luck with those all-in-one kits they sell at the big box stores? I’m always skeptical they’ll hold up, but maybe I’m just old school...
I hear you on the flex traps—they always seem like a shortcut that ends up biting you later. I’ve tried a couple of those all-in-one kits when I was in a pinch, and honestly, they’re hit or miss. Sometimes they seal up fine, but I’ve had one start leaking after just a few months. The plastic threads never inspire much confidence. Has anyone tried using solvent-welded PVC for kitchen drains instead of compression? Wondering if it’s worth the extra hassle for peace of mind...
I've gone the solvent-welded route a couple times, mostly because I got tired of crawling under the sink every few months to tighten those plastic nuts. It’s definitely more permanent—no more leaks, but it’s a pain if you ever need to swap out a section or clear a clog. Have you run into any issues with cleaning or maintenance once everything’s glued up? Just wondering if that’s been a hassle for anyone else...
- Been there with the glued pipes.
- Cleaning’s a pain, honestly. If you get a clog, you’re stuck snaking from the top or cutting the pipe.
- Had to hacksaw mine once when a spoon got stuck way down—total mess.
- On the plus side, no leaks, but I kinda miss being able to just unscrew stuff and rinse it out.
- If you go this route, maybe add a cleanout somewhere accessible... makes life easier down the line.
Had a job last winter—guy glued every joint under his kitchen sink, no unions, no cleanout. He dropped a bottle cap in there and it wedged tight. Ended up cutting out three feet of pipe just to get it out. Honestly, unions or trap adapters save so much hassle. Glued setups are solid, but man, they’re unforgiving when something goes wrong.