I’ve seen those “temporary” fixes turn into a real headache, especially when water gets involved.
Man, you’re not kidding about water making things worse. I tried to “just live with it” when my bathroom sink ended up off-center after a DIY vanity swap. Figured I’d get used to it, but every time I brushed my teeth, it bugged me. Then the caulk started peeling, and sure enough, water snuck in behind the counter. Next thing I knew, I was dealing with a musty smell and warped wood.
I get wanting to save a few bucks or avoid tearing everything apart, but honestly, that shortcut cost me more in the end. Still, sometimes you just don’t have the time or cash to do it all perfect right away. I guess it’s a balance—sometimes you can get away with a patch job, but with plumbing? That stuff always comes back to haunt you. If I could go back, I’d probably just bite the bullet and fix it right the first time... or at least make sure the sink was actually centered before calling it done.
Had a similar situation when I tried to “make it work” with a slightly crooked faucet install. Figured nobody would notice, but every time I washed my hands, it bugged me. Then the sealant started to fail and water pooled underneath. Ended up replacing part of the cabinet base because of swelling. Lesson learned—plumbing shortcuts almost always backfire. Sometimes it’s worth just taking the extra hour (or day) to get it right, even if it’s a pain in the moment.
Man, I totally get that frustration. It’s wild how something just a little off can drive you nuts every single day. I’ve seen folks try to fudge a misaligned sink or faucet with extra caulk or shims, but it never really holds up—water always finds a way. Curious, did you try to re-seat the faucet before giving up, or was it too far gone by then? I’ve been tempted to just “make it work” myself, but every time I do, it bites me later.
Man, I feel you on the “make it work” regret. I tried to shim a wobbly pedestal sink once—looked fine for a week, then the caulk started peeling and water pooled underneath. Ended up pulling the whole thing out and re-seating it properly. It’s a pain, but sometimes starting over is just less stressful in the long run. At least you know you’re not alone in the struggle... these little things can drive anyone nuts.
