Totally agree with isolating leaks first—learned that the hard way. A few extra points from my recent kitchen fiasco:
- Mold can spread faster than you'd think, even if drywall looks mostly dry.
- DIY mold removal kits are hit or miss... sometimes it's worth getting a pro to check air quality afterward.
- Plumbing seems straightforward until you're knee-deep in water at midnight (been there).
I'm all for saving money, but sometimes calling in a plumber early saves headaches later.
Definitely feel your pain on the midnight plumbing adventures...been there myself, unfortunately. But honestly, mold is where I draw the line. I've tried those DIY mold kits too, and they're pretty sketchy—sometimes they work, sometimes you're just guessing. Plumbing can be manageable if you're careful and patient, but mold? Nah, that's a health issue. I'd bite the bullet and get a pro in for that part at least. Better safe than sorry (and breathing clean air).
"Plumbing can be manageable if you're careful and patient, but mold? Nah, that's a health issue."
Yeah, mold's definitely a different beast altogether. I've tackled minor mold issues myself using vinegar solutions and proper ventilation—worked okay for small spots—but anything extensive or persistent, I'd agree it's pro time. Speaking of plumbing though, has anyone here successfully replaced their sink trap without flooding the cabinet? I managed it once, but let's just say towels were heavily involved...
Did my sink trap last weekend—here's what I learned:
- Buckets beat towels every time.
- Don't underestimate how much water sits in those pipes...
-
Yep, been there. Cabinet survived, pride slightly bruised."towels were heavily involved..."
- Buckets are good, but honestly, a shallow plastic bin works even better—more surface area to catch surprise splashes.
- DIY plumbing is fine for basic stuff like traps, but once you get into valves or anything behind the wall... that's plumber territory.
- Learned the hard way myself after flooding half a kitchen cabinet. Towels were definitely harmed in the making of that lesson.
