Basin wrench is a lifesaver sometimes, no doubt. Silicone though...I mean, yeah, it can do the job, but I've seen it turn into a goopy mess when people aren't careful. Especially if you're rushing or not used to handling it. Putty's way more forgiving, that's for sure.
Speaking of DIY sink disasters, anyone ever try replacing their garbage disposal solo? I tackled mine last year thinking it'd be straightforward—big mistake. Ended up wrestling with it for hours, water dripping everywhere, and by the end I was seriously questioning my life choices, lol. Got it done eventually, but man...next time I'm tempted to just call someone in. Curious if anyone else has had better luck with that?
Did mine solo a couple years back, and yeah...it was rough. Thought I'd save cash, ended up drenched and frustrated. Next time, probably worth paying someone just to avoid the headache, right?
"Thought I'd save cash, ended up drenched and frustrated."
Yeah, totally feel you on this. DIY plumbing always seems straightforward at first glance, right? But once you get under the sink, it's a whole different ballgame. I remember helping my uncle swap out a faucet last summer—thought it'd be a quick afternoon job. Nope. Three trips to the hardware store later, we finally got it done, but not without a fair share of colorful language and water all over the kitchen floor.
Honestly, plumbing is one of those things that looks deceptively simple until you're knee-deep in it. There's always some unexpected fitting or stubborn old pipe that's rusted solid. Plus, if you don't have the exact tools, you're improvising and making things even harder. I've seen plenty of DIY jobs turn into bigger problems down the line because something wasn't tightened right or a seal wasn't seated properly.
That said, I'm all for people learning new skills and tackling projects themselves—it's rewarding when it works out. But plumbing can be unforgiving. Water damage isn't a joke, and sometimes the peace of mind from hiring a pro outweighs the upfront cost. Especially if you're dealing with older plumbing or anything involving the main water line. A professional plumber can spot potential issues early on and save you a lot of headaches (and soggy towels) later.
So yeah, next time around, I'd probably lean toward calling someone in. It's not always about the money saved upfront—sometimes it's about saving your sanity.
Been there myself—thought I'd save a few bucks replacing the kitchen drain trap. Ended up cracking an old pipe and flooding the cabinet. DIY plumbing can quickly spiral into bigger issues, especially in older homes. Now, if it's anything beyond a simple fix, I bite the bullet and call a pro. Peace of mind (and dry floors) are worth the extra cost.
Totally relate to this one—tried replacing our leaky faucet last year, and it turned into a weekend nightmare. Lessons learned for me:
- Old plumbing = hidden surprises. Rusted valves snapped off in my hand.
- Ended up needing emergency plumber anyway (ouch, weekend rates).
- Now I stick strictly to minor stuff like washers or aerators.
- Anything involving pipes behind walls or cabinets, I call the pros. Worth it to avoid water damage or worse... mold.
Peace of mind beats saving a few bucks every time.
