Whenever I redo plumbing, I try to minimize plastic and use metal parts if possible—seems to last longer and feels less wasteful.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, sometimes the plastic stuff is just easier to work with, especially in tight spots under old sinks. Metal lasts longer for sure, but I’ve had a few metal slip joints corrode way faster than expected. Curious—have you ever tried those push-fit fittings for drains? They seem handy but I’m not sure about long-term reliability.
Curious—have you ever tried those push-fit fittings for drains? They seem handy but I’m not sure about long-term reliability.
I’ve wondered about those too. The convenience is tempting, especially when you’re crawling around under a vanity that’s barely got room for your hands. But I always get a little nervous about anything that just “clicks” together and doesn’t have a clamp or threads. Maybe I’m just old school, but I keep thinking about leaks showing up months later when you least expect it.
That said, I did use a push-fit trap once in a powder room where the drain was way off-center (the joys of old houses). It’s been fine for two years, but I still check it every few months just in case. Anyone else notice that plastic traps seem to hold up better than cheap metal ones in humid bathrooms? I’ve had chrome-plated ones rust out faster than I thought possible.
Guess it comes down to how much peace of mind you want versus how much hassle you’re willing to deal with during install. For me, if it’s hidden and easy to swap out, I’ll risk plastic or push-fit... but anything behind a wall or hard to reach, I stick with metal and threaded connections.
Funny timing—I just had to deal with an off-center drain last month. Ended up using a push-fit elbow because I was tired of wrestling with rigid pipes that never quite lined up. It’s holding up so far, but I totally get the paranoia about leaks sneaking up on you later. I’ve also noticed the plastic traps seem to last longer in my place, especially since the bathroom gets pretty steamy. Metal ones always seem to corrode way faster than I expect. Maybe it’s just the cheap stuff at the big box stores, but I’m starting to trust plastic more than I used to... at least for spots I can actually reach if something goes wrong.
- Push-fit elbows are a lifesaver for weird angles, but I always double-check the connections after a few days—sometimes they settle and loosen up just a bit.
- Plastic traps definitely hold up better in humid bathrooms. Metal ones corrode fast, especially if you’ve got hard water or use strong cleaners.
- I still prefer metal under kitchen sinks, though. Hot water and grease seem to warp plastic over time.
- Ever had issues with plastic threads stripping out if you need to re-tighten? That’s the one thing that makes me nervous about using them everywhere...
Ever had issues with plastic threads stripping out if you need to re-tighten? That’s the one thing that makes me nervous about using them everywhere...
Yeah, stripped plastic threads are a headache. Here’s what I do: hand-tighten first, then give it just a quarter turn with pliers—never more. If it feels like it’s binding, I’ll back off and check for cross-threading. Also, I always keep a spare trap or two on hand. Learned that the hard way after a tenant cranked one down and split it… water everywhere. For off-center sinks, flexible couplers help, but I always check for leaks after a week, just in case things shift.