I get wanting to go above code, but honestly, sometimes I think folks overdo it and end up making things more complicated than they need to be. I’ve seen jobs where someone added so many extra shutoffs and supports that it actually made future repairs a headache—like, you couldn’t even get a wrench in there without taking half the setup apart. There’s definitely a balance. Code’s not perfect, but it’s usually there for a reason. I’d rather see clean, accessible work than a maze of “extras” that just look impressive on paper.
Totally get what you mean. I had a plumber once who seemed to think my basement was the set for a sci-fi movie—pipes and valves everywhere, like some kind of water-based obstacle course. Looked impressive until I tried to shut off the water for a leaky faucet and spent half an hour playing “guess which valve.” I’m all for safety and options, but if it takes a map and a headlamp to do basic repairs, maybe it’s time to scale back. Clean and simple wins every time in my book… and usually costs less, too.
I’ve wondered if some plumbers get paid by the valve—seriously, I had a similar maze in my last place. Every time I tried to do something simple, like swap out a washer, I’d second-guess if I was about to flood the whole basement. At what point does “future-proofing” just become overkill? I get wanting options, but does anyone actually use half those shutoffs? I’d rather have a system I can actually understand, even if it’s not as “impressive” looking.
That’s exactly how I feel—sometimes it seems like more valves just mean more confusion (and probably a bigger bill). I get that some folks want to be ready for anything, but honestly, if you can’t even figure out what shuts off what, is it really worth it? I’m all for saving money and avoiding headaches. Has anyone actually had a situation where all those extra shutoffs came in handy, or is it just a “just in case” thing that never pays off?
if you can’t even figure out what shuts off what, is it really worth it?
Honestly, I’ve seen both sides. Had a client with a leak under their kitchen sink—because they had a dedicated shutoff right there, we avoided shutting down water to the whole house. That said, I’ve also walked into basements where there are so many valves nobody knows what’s what, and that’s just asking for trouble. If you’re gonna add extra shutoffs, labeling them is key. Otherwise, yeah, it can get confusing fast.