I haven’t had rodents chew through the polymer lines in my place, but I did see some folks online recommend using split loom tubing or even that corrugated wire wrap as an extra barrier if you’...
I tried the split loom tubing trick after reading about it here, and honestly, it’s not the worst idea. It does look a bit clunky under the sink, but I’d rather have that than deal with chewed lines. That said, I’m still a little skeptical about how much protection it really adds—rodents can be pretty determined. When my bathroom sink ended up off-center, I had to reroute everything and those polymer lines definitely made it easier, but I still wish there was a cleaner solution for both looks and peace of mind.
I get where you're coming from about the split loom tubing looking a bit clunky. Under the sink, aesthetics usually take a back seat to function, but it can be frustrating when you want things tidy. You mentioned, "
" and honestly, that's a fair concern. In my experience, split loom or corrugated wrap will slow rodents down, but if they're really set on getting through, it's not a foolproof barrier.I’m still a little skeptical about how much protection it really adds—rodents can be pretty determined.
One thing I've seen work better is using stainless steel mesh sleeves over the lines—it's more expensive and takes a bit more effort to install, but rodents have a much harder time chewing through metal. Not the prettiest solution either, but it does give some extra peace of mind if you've had problems before.
Rerouting polymer lines is definitely easier than dealing with copper or rigid PVC, especially in awkward spaces like an off-center sink. Still, I wish manufacturers would come up with something that's both rodent-resistant and doesn't look out of place. Until then, it's all about balancing safety and looks... never as simple as it should be.
Stainless mesh sleeves are a solid idea, especially if you’ve actually had rodents chew through lines before. I’ve only seen that happen once, but it was a mess—water everywhere and the homeowner was not happy. The mesh isn’t exactly subtle, but at least it works. I do wonder if there’s a way to combine that with something more low-profile, like maybe a thin metal conduit or even just reinforcing the most vulnerable sections.
I agree about polymer lines being easier to work with under an off-center sink. Trying to bend copper in those tight spots is just asking for trouble (and leaks). Still, I wish there were more options that didn’t look so industrial. Sometimes I think manufacturers forget people actually have to look under their sinks now and then... Maybe one day we’ll get something that’s both tough and doesn’t scream “utility closet.” Until then, it’s all about compromise, I guess.
Sometimes I think manufacturers forget people actually have to look under their sinks now and then...
That’s honestly been my biggest gripe since moving in—everything under the sink looks like it belongs in a boiler room. I’ve seen some folks use painted conduit or even heat-shrink tubing to tidy up exposed lines, but it’s more DIY than I’d like. Polymer lines are definitely easier to route, but they still look pretty utilitarian. Maybe there’s a market for “designer” under-sink hardware? Until then, I’m just trying to keep things as neat as possible and hope nobody notices.
- Totally relate to the “boiler room” vibe under the sink—ours has a weird tangle of PEX, flex lines, and old copper that looks like a robot sneezed.
- I’m always thinking about ways to make it less of an eyesore, but most solutions seem either super temporary or a pain to install. Painted conduit sounds clever, but I’m wary of introducing more plastic or paint fumes if I don’t have to.
- From a sustainability angle, it’s wild how much plastic and vinyl ends up under there. Sometimes I wonder if there’s a way to use reclaimed wood panels or recycled metal covers to hide the mess without making it harder to access for repairs. Maybe that’s overkill, but I’d love something that doesn’t just look “industrial chic”—more like “clean and intentional.”
- I’ve seen a few European brands offer sleek chrome or even matte black fittings for exposed plumbing, but those tend to cost a small fortune here. And honestly, with all the focus on the faucet and countertop, it feels like manufacturers just gave up once you look underneath.
- Has anyone tried using eco-friendly pipe insulation or wraps for aesthetics? I’ve thought about wool-based insulation as a cover-up, but not sure if it’s actually practical or just wishful thinking.
- Kind of makes me wonder—if you had the chance to redo your bathroom from scratch, would you pay extra for “designer” under-sink parts, or is it just not worth the hassle?
