Yeah, aluminum flashing can definitely be a bit delicate outdoors—I've seen it get pretty beat up from hail or even just accidental bumps. Indoors behind a stove though, you're probably not dea...
I've gotta admit, aluminum flashing indoors still makes me a bit uneasy. Sure, you're not dealing with hailstorms behind your stove, but I've had aluminum dent just from leaning a pot or pan against it too hard. It's not the end of the world, but if you're picky about appearances (like me), those little dings can start to bug you after a while. Stainless steel might cost a bit more upfront, but it's tougher and cleans up easier too... just something to think about.
"if you're picky about appearances (like me), those little dings can start to bug you after a while."
Haha, totally relate to this. I once put aluminum flashing behind my stove thinking it'd be fine... until my cast iron skillet slipped and left a dent that stared at me every dinner. Lesson learned, stainless steel next time.
I feel this. When I first moved into my place, I got super ambitious and installed copper backsplash behind the sink—thought it'd look classy and rustic at the same time. Well, it did...for about a week. Then every little water spot and fingerprint started glaring at me, mocking my "brilliant" idea. I spent more time polishing it than actually cooking dinner.
Ended up swapping it out for some matte ceramic tiles—way lower maintenance and still looks good. But hey, live and learn, right? Now I'm cautious about anything too shiny or delicate in high-use areas. If you're considering stainless steel next, maybe look into brushed finishes—they hide dings and smudges a lot better, trust me.
"I spent more time polishing it than actually cooking dinner."
Ha, this hits home. Copper can look amazing, but man, the upkeep isn't for everyone. I've seen similar issues with clients who installed shiny fixtures or finishes without realizing how quickly things get messy in kitchens and bathrooms. Matte or brushed finishes are definitely the way to go if you prefer something lower-maintenance.
On a related note, speaking of noisy pipes—glad you tackled yours, by the way—did you find out what was causing the noise? Usually, it's air trapped in the lines, pressure issues, or even loose pipe brackets. Curious what turned out to be your culprit...
"Usually, it's air trapped in the lines, pressure issues, or even loose pipe brackets."
Yep, exactly this. Had a similar issue at my place last year—turned out a couple brackets had loosened over time and the pipes were rattling against the studs every time we ran hot water. Tightened them up and added some foam insulation around the trouble spots... problem solved. Did you end up having to open any walls, or was it easier than expected?
