- Couldn’t agree more about sticking with tried-and-true stuff, especially for rentals.
- I do like the idea of eco fixtures, but honestly, the “eco” label doesn’t always mean less hassle. Had a low-flow shower head that clogged up every few months—ended up wasting more water trying to clear it than it ever saved.
- Brass shutoffs are non-negotiable for me now. Had a plastic one fail during a routine check, and it turned into a mini flood. Not fun.
- I still use basic lever faucets—less to break, easier for everyone to use, and you can actually find replacement parts at any hardware store.
- If you’re looking for eco-friendly, I’d say focus on WaterSense-labeled stuff that’s still mechanical, not electronic. Less to go wrong, but you still get some savings.
- One thing I do: keep a few spare shutoffs and washers on hand. Makes life easier when something inevitably leaks at the worst possible time.
- Old-school isn’t always glamorous, but it’s usually safer and less stressful in the long run.
Had a similar run-in with those “eco” shower heads—mine was supposed to save water, but it just ended up spraying everywhere except where you wanted. After the third time taking it apart to clear out mineral buildup, I swapped it for a regular one and haven’t looked back. Sometimes simple really is better.
One thing I learned the hard way: always double-check what those shutoff valves are made of before installing. I used to think plastic would be fine for cold water lines, but nope... had one split right at the seam and it soaked the cabinet floor before I could even grab a towel. Now I keep a small bin with spare brass shutoffs, washers, and a roll of plumber’s tape in the laundry room—saves me from last-minute hardware store runs when something starts dripping at 10pm.
I get tempted by some of those fancy touchless faucets, but honestly, if it needs batteries or a sensor, I skip it. Less stuff to troubleshoot down the line. Just my two cents after dealing with more than a few “upgrades” that turned into headaches.
Now I keep a small bin with spare brass shutoffs, washers, and a roll of plumber’s tape in the laundry room—saves me from last-minute hardware store runs when something starts dripping at 10pm.
- Couldn’t agree more about sticking with brass shutoffs. Plastic’s just asking for trouble, especially if you’ve got any water pressure at all.
- On “eco” fixtures—half the time they just clog up faster or spray weird. If you want to save water, go for a solid low-flow aerator on a standard faucet. Less to mess with.
- Touchless stuff looks slick but, yeah, when those sensors go bad or batteries die, you’re left waving your hands like an idiot.
- One thing I’d add: always check the threads on new fixtures before install. Some of the cheaper brands have rough machining and you’ll end up cross-threading or leaking no matter how careful you are.
- Bottom line: simple, solid metal parts. Fewer headaches in the long run.
That bin of spare parts is a lifesaver—I've done the 11pm hardware dash more times than I care to admit. One thing I’d add: when you’re swapping out shutoffs, it’s worth cleaning up the threads with a wire brush before putting anything new on. Makes for a much better seal, especially if you’ve got older pipes. Also, I’ve seen some “no tools needed” compression fittings leak right out of the box, so I still trust the old-school threaded stuff. Less fancy, more reliable.
I’ve seen some “no tools needed” compression fittings leak right out of the box, so I still trust the old-school threaded stuff. Less fancy, more reliable.
Couldn’t agree more—those “tool-free” fittings are like the self-checkout lanes of plumbing: great in theory, but you end up calling for help anyway. I’ve had a few that dripped no matter how much I tightened them. Curious, though—has anyone here had luck with push-to-connect fittings on older copper lines? I keep hearing mixed reviews, especially when the pipes aren’t pristine.
