Gotta admit, brass fittings are solid, but I've actually had decent luck with quality plastic fittings—especially if you're careful about not overtightening them. Learned that the hard way after cracking a few myself. Also, lowering water heater temp helps with buildup, sure, but it can make showers feel lukewarm at best. Tried it once and got an earful from the family... might wanna test it out gradually before tenants start knocking on your door about cold showers.
"lowering water heater temp helps with buildup, sure, but it can make showers feel lukewarm at best."
True, dropping the heater temp too low can backfire quickly with comfort. Instead, consider installing a thermostatic mixing valve—keeps the water safely hot without risking scalding or sacrificing shower warmth. Worth the investment for peace of mind and family harmony...
"Worth the investment for peace of mind and family harmony..."
Yeah, thermostatic mixing valves are pretty handy, but honestly, they're not always the magic bullet people make them out to be. Installed one at my brother's place last year—worked great at first, but after a while it started acting up and needed adjustments. Still beats lukewarm showers though, I'll give you that. Just don't expect it to be totally maintenance-free... nothing ever is when it comes to plumbing, right?
Had a similar experience with mine—worked flawlessly for months, then randomly started giving me grief. Turns out, mineral buildup was messing with it. Quick vinegar soak sorted it out though... have you checked yours for scale or debris? Might save you some headaches down the line.
"Quick vinegar soak sorted it out though..."
Wish I'd known that trick sooner—could've saved myself a plumber call last year. Vinegar's basically magic in our house now, fixes everything from sinks to coffee makers. Definitely worth trying before shelling out cash for a pro.