Finally tackled my noisy pipes and feeling pretty proud

Steel wool definitely helps, but I've found copper mesh to be even better for squirrels. Had a stubborn one chew right through steel wool once - little guy was determined. Switched to copper mesh packed tight and sealed with foam, and haven't had an issue since. As for noisy pipes, yeah, air pockets can linger a bit. Mine took almost three days before they finally quieted down completely... thought I'd messed something up at first. Patience is key, I guess.

Copper mesh, huh? I've heard good things, but honestly, squirrels are tiny furry ninjas - I swear they evolve every year. I tried copper mesh once myself, thinking I'd finally outsmarted them. Worked great at first, but then one particularly persistent squirrel (I named him Chuck Norris) managed to pull it loose. I think he took it personally, lol.

Ended up going with hardware cloth (the metal mesh stuff). It was a bit of a pain to install, but nothing's gotten through yet. I sealed it up with some expanding foam, too, just to be safe. Been squirrel-free for two years now... knock on wood.

As for the noisy pipes issue, three days sounds rough! Mine settled down within a day or so, but I did spend a good half-hour tapping and jiggling the pipes like some kind of plumbing whisperer. Not sure if it actually helped or just made me feel productive, haha. But you're right - patience is definitely part of the DIY homeowner's toolkit.

Glad you got it sorted though, it's always satisfying to finally silence those mysterious house noises.

"I did spend a good half-hour tapping and jiggling the pipes like some kind of plumbing whisperer."

Haha, plumbing whisperer - I like that. Glad you got it sorted! For anyone else dealing with noisy pipes, here's a quick tip: try securing loose pipes with pipe clips or foam insulation sleeves. Usually, it's just vibration causing the racket, and stabilizing them can quiet things down pretty quickly. Beats spending days wondering if your house is haunted...

Haha, plumbing whisperer is gold. I had a similar issue last winter - pipes banging around like they were auditioning for a drum solo. Tried the foam sleeves trick, and it definitely helped quiet things down. But honestly, what made the biggest difference was slightly lowering my water pressure at the main valve. Anyone else notice their pipes get louder when the pressure's cranked up too high? Seems counterintuitive, but dialing it back just a bit saved my sanity...and probably my pipes too.

Had the same experience at a client's place last year - pipes banging around like crazy whenever they turned on the shower. Foam sleeves helped a bit, but the real fix was installing a water hammer arrestor near the fixture causing most of the noise. Lowering pressure can definitely help, but sometimes it's just masking the underlying issue. I'd keep an eye on it...if the noise creeps back, might be worth looking into arrestors or checking pipe brackets for looseness.

Glad you mentioned the arrestors...I've been thinking about trying them myself. Did lowering the pressure actually help long-term, or was it more of a temporary fix? I'm always a bit wary of quick solutions - especially when water's involved. Had a friend who ignored banging pipes until one burst in his basement (not fun). Maybe I should just bite the bullet and install an arrestor before things get messy...

I get being cautious about quick fixes, but honestly, lowering the pressure was more of a band-aid for me. It helped short-term, but after a few months, the banging came creeping back. Eventually, I gave in and installed arrestors - best decision ever. Wish I'd done it sooner. The peace of mind alone is worth it, especially if you're budget-conscious like me and want to avoid surprise plumbing disasters down the road...

Did installing the arrestors take a lot of DIY skill? I'm dealing with banging pipes right now and lowering pressure hasn't done much... wondering if it's something I can handle myself or if I should just call someone.

Installing arrestors isn't too tricky if you're comfortable with basic plumbing - mostly just cutting pipes and fitting connections. But if soldering or tight spaces make you uneasy, might be worth calling someone to avoid headaches later... speaking from experience here.

Did you end up soldering or go with compression fittings? I've done both, and honestly, compression fittings saved me from a few awkward yoga poses under the sink... Curious how yours turned out.

"compression fittings saved me from a few awkward yoga poses under the sink..."

Haha, totally relate to that! I went with compression fittings too - mostly because soldering gear wasn't in my budget. Turned out great, no leaks yet, and my back definitely thanked me afterward...

Compression fittings are definitely a lifesaver when you're on a tight budget. I remember my first plumbing adventure - thought I'd save money by borrowing a friend's soldering kit, but after nearly setting off the smoke alarm and dripping solder everywhere, I quickly switched to compression fittings. Way less hassle, and they've held up surprisingly well over the years. Plus, my knees appreciated not having to crouch under the sink for hours...

- Compression fittings are handy for sure, but I've had mixed luck with them long-term.
- Ever had one slowly loosen up over time? Happened to me once - tiny drip turned into a weekend headache...
- Still prefer soldering for peace of mind, despite the learning curve.

Compression fittings can be hit or miss for sure. Had one in a rental that looked fine at first, but a year later it started dripping behind the cabinet - didn't notice until the tenant called about moldy smells... fun times. Soldering's my go-to as well; bit more hassle upfront, but fewer midnight plumbing surprises down the road. Peace of mind is worth it, imo.

Compression fittings definitely have their moments - I've had a few hold up fine for years, but yeah, when they fail, it's usually at the worst possible time. Had one leak behind drywall once... discovered it only after the tenant complained about a weird water stain on the ceiling downstairs. Fun weekend tearing out soggy drywall. Soldering isn't always convenient, but I'll gladly trade an extra hour upfront for fewer headaches later. Peace of mind beats surprise plumbing adventures any day.

"Peace of mind beats surprise plumbing adventures any day."

Couldn't agree more with this. Compression fittings are handy, but I always wonder about their longevity, especially in hidden spots. I've had decent luck myself, but a buddy of mine had one pop loose behind his kitchen cabinets - didn't notice until the floor started warping. Made me rethink using them in places I can't easily check. Soldering might be a bit more hassle upfront, but at least you sleep easier knowing it's solid.

Compression fittings do get a bad rap sometimes, but honestly, when installed correctly, they're pretty reliable. I've seen solder joints fail too - usually from rushed prep or overheating the pipe. It's less about the fitting type and more about proper installation technique. If you're worried about hidden spots, maybe consider push-fit connectors? They're quick, solid, and I've rarely had callbacks on them. Plus, no torch needed...so your eyebrows stay safe.

"It's less about the fitting type and more about proper installation technique."

Couldn't agree more with this. I've had compression fittings last decades without issue, but I've also seen push-fit connectors leak after just a couple of years - usually due to rushed installs or not deburring properly. Honestly, every fitting has its quirks. Curious though...have you found push-fits hold up well long-term in hot water lines? I've always been a bit hesitant there, maybe just old habits die hard (and yes, my eyebrows have stories too...).

I'm right with you on the push-fit hesitation, especially for hot water lines. I've heard mixed experiences - some folks swear by them, others have had issues after a few years. Personally, I stick with compression fittings there...just feels safer somehow. Glad to hear your install went smoothly, though. Always satisfying when those pipes finally quiet down - peace of mind is priceless.

Totally get your caution with push-fits for hot water - I’ve been down that road myself. Had one tenant call me at midnight once because a push-fit decided to give up the ghost after just three years. Not fun, let me tell you. Compression fittings have always felt more solid to me too, but lately I've been hearing good things about some of the newer push-fit brands. Makes me wonder if they've stepped up their game or if it's just marketing hype.

Glad your install quieted things down though. Nothing beats that moment when you realize the pipes aren't banging around anymore and you can finally relax...for a while anyway. Curious if anyone’s had long-term luck with push-fits on hot lines - maybe I'm just stuck in my ways?