They’re definitely not perfect, and yeah, they can sag if you don’t support them right, but sometimes it’s the only way to avoid tearing into plaster or tile. Maybe I’m just too stubborn to...
Yeah, I hear you—sometimes you just need something that works *now*, not a full-blown reno. I’ve used flex traps in a couple of my older rentals where the pipes are all over the place. Like you said, “they can sag if you don’t support them right,” and I’ve learned the hard way that a little hanger or zip tie goes a long way. Not ideal for the long haul, but when you’re trying to keep tenants happy and avoid tearing up 1950s tile, it’s a lifesaver. Still, I always wonder if there’s some trick I’m missing to make those setups last longer without turning into a science experiment under the sink...
“they can sag if you don’t support them right,”
- I always double up on hangers—one near each bend, not just at the ends. Those flex traps love to droop if you give them any slack.
- If you’re worried about leaks or smells, I’ve found wrapping the joints with plumber’s tape helps a bit, but honestly, nothing beats checking under the sink every few months.
- Not a fan of zip ties long-term. They get brittle and snap after a year or two, especially if it’s humid under there.
- If you ever get tired of babysitting it, there are rigid offset traps that can be cut to fit weird angles. More work upfront, but less hassle down the road.
I get wanting to avoid tearing up old tile... but sometimes I wonder if patching a small hole is less trouble than chasing leaks for years.
Man, flex traps are like the lazy teenager of plumbing—if you don’t keep an eye on them, they’ll just slump over and make a mess. I’ve tried the zip tie trick too, but yeah, they get crunchy after a while and then you’re back under the sink cursing at 10pm. I’m with you on the rigid offset traps. They’re a pain to fit at first, but once they’re in, you can basically forget about them.
I get the hesitation about messing with old tile. I’ve patched a couple holes before and honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Matching grout is more annoying than anything else. But chasing leaks every few months? That’s just a slow-motion headache.
One thing I learned the hard way: if you do go rigid, measure three times before cutting anything. Those pipes never line up quite like you think they will...
“Those pipes never line up quite like you think they will...”
Ain’t that the truth. I swear, every time I think I’ve got the measurements dialed in, I end up dry fitting everything three times just to realize I’m off by like half an inch. I get why people go for the flex traps—they look like the easy answer, but man, I had one that sagged so bad it looked like a sad noodle under the sink. The zip tie trick held for maybe a month before it snapped and I got to mop up a puddle at 2am. Never again.
I’m with you on the old tile, though. I was nervous about cracking one, but after actually doing it, it’s not as scary as it seems. Matching grout is a pain, but honestly, I’d rather deal with that once than keep crawling under the sink every few weeks. Rigid pipes are a pain to fit, but once they’re in, you can just forget about them. Worth the hassle, in my opinion.
“I had one that sagged so bad it looked like a sad noodle under the sink.”
That’s exactly why I avoid flex traps too. They seem convenient, but I’ve never seen one hold up long-term. I usually end up cutting and dry fitting rigid PVC a few times—tedious, but at least it stays put. Matching grout is a pain, but honestly, I’d rather spend an afternoon on that than deal with leaks later. Have you ever tried using a laser level for lining up the drain? It helped me get things closer, though there’s always some weird angle to deal with...
