Curious how others handle that trade-off.
I totally get what you mean about flexible lines—sometimes they’re the only way to make a weird setup work, but then you end up with that nagging worry about leaks. I’ve seen more than one case where a line looked fine but was actually pinched just out of sight.
Curious if anyone has tried rigid extensions or offset fittings for off-center installs? I’ve had mixed luck—sometimes they just add bulk under the sink, but at least you can see where the stress points are. Does anyone bother with extra supports or brackets to keep flex lines from shifting over time?
Rigid extensions can be a pain, honestly. I’ve used them a couple times for off-center sinks, but like you said, they just eat up space and make it awkward to get to the shutoffs. I usually stick with flex lines but I always add a little clip or bracket if there’s any chance they’ll rub or shift—learned that the hard way after a customer had a slow leak from a line rubbing against the cabinet wall. Not perfect, but it’s worked out better than trying to force rigid parts into a tight spot.
Yeah, flex lines are just way more forgiving in tight spots. I’ve seen rigid extensions end up kinking or putting stress on the valve—never a good time when you have to go back and fix that later. Those little brackets make a big difference, especially if the cabinet’s got sharp edges. Sometimes I’ll even wrap a bit of foam around the line if it’s close to anything rough... not pretty, but it keeps things dry.
I’ve seen people skip the foam and end up with pinholes in the flex line over time—those sharp cabinet edges are no joke. I usually just use a scrap of pipe insulation if I’ve got it. Not the prettiest, but way better than a leak.
I usually just use a scrap of pipe insulation if I’ve got it. Not the prettiest, but way better than a leak.
That’s a solid workaround, honestly. I’ve seen folks try to get away with nothing at all and then wonder why their supply lines start weeping after a year or two. Curious—has anyone tried those plastic grommets that snap into the cabinet holes? I’ve used them on a couple jobs, but sometimes they don’t fit quite right, especially in older cabinetry. Wondering if there’s a better long-term fix for those tight spots where insulation just won’t stay put.
