need some advice on plumbing stuff for DIY bathroom fix-up

I've seen brass fittings hold up surprisingly well, too. Did a bathroom remodel for a client about 8 years ago, and they insisted on brass fixtures because they loved the vintage look. I warned them about the extra upkeep, but honestly, they've kept it looking pretty sharp. They just wipe it down every month or two with a bit of vinegar and water mix - nothing fancy. On the flip side, I've also seen brass fittings turn into a green mess in less than a year when they're cheap or installed badly. Stainless steel is definitely easier if you're not into regular maintenance, but if brass matches your style better, don't let the upkeep scare you off. Just make sure you buy quality fittings and keep an eye on moisture levels in the bathroom. Good ventilation goes a long way in preventing corrosion issues.

Good points there. Quality brass fittings can indeed last decades if they're properly cared for. One thing I'd add is to avoid abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals on brass - they strip away the protective finish and speed up corrosion. Stick with mild solutions like you mentioned, vinegar-water mix works great. Also, consider applying a thin coat of wax occasionally; it helps maintain the finish longer and reduces how often you'll need to clean them. Proper installation matters too - make sure connections are tight and sealed properly to avoid moisture buildup behind fixtures.

Interesting about the wax idea, hadn't considered that before. But I'm curious - wouldn't applying wax potentially trap moisture underneath if the brass isn't completely dry? Wondering if anyone's had issues with wax coatings causing hidden corrosion over time...

"wouldn't applying wax potentially trap moisture underneath if the brass isn't completely dry?"

Good point - seen that happen once or twice myself. Usually it's because someone got impatient (guilty as charged...) and didn't let things dry fully. But honestly, brass is pretty forgiving. Bigger issue I've noticed is folks using the wrong type of wax. Anyone here tried beeswax vs synthetic? Curious if one holds up better long-term or causes fewer headaches down the road.

For a protective coating on the outside of a brass fixture, I’d first check what finish it actually has and what care products the manufacturer allows. I wouldn’t choose beeswax or a synthetic wax just because the fixture looks like brass.

If wax is recommended, start with a clean, dry surface and follow those instructions. The cleaner matters too; a treatment that suits one finish can damage another. Do you know the fixture’s brand and finish name?

While we’re discussing the bathroom work, I have a separate toilet-installation question: how do you check whether the flange height is right before choosing a seal? I’d want the toilet and seal instructions to match the actual installation rather than choose a product based on how warm the room gets.

Is the first step to measure the flange relative to the finished floor and check that it’s sound and properly secured?

I've been thinking about flange height too, since I'm about to tackle my bathroom soon. How exactly do you measure if it's recessed or not? Do you just eyeball it or is there a specific tool or method that's best? I'm trying to avoid any "learned it the hard way" moments myself, haha... plumbing mishaps can get pricey fast.

Yeah, eyeballing flange height is a recipe for disaster, trust me - I learned that one the hard way years ago. Best bet is to grab a straight edge or a level and lay it flat across the finished floor, then measure down to the top of your flange. Ideally, it should sit flush or slightly above the finished floor. Even a small recess can cause leaks down the line, and no wax ring can fully compensate for a big gap... better safe than sorry with plumbing.

"Even a small recess can cause leaks down the line, and no wax ring can fully compensate for a big gap..."

Good advice overall, but I'd say there are some newer wax-free seals out there designed specifically for slightly recessed flanges. I've seen them work pretty well in situations where the flange sits just a bit lower than ideal. Not saying you should rely on them entirely, but if you're dealing with a minor recess and can't easily adjust the flange height, they could be worth considering as an alternative solution.

"Not saying you should rely on them entirely, but if you're dealing with a minor recess and can't easily adjust the flange height, they could be worth considering as an alternative solution."

Yeah, I've tried one of those wax-free seals myself when the flange was slightly recessed. Worked fine so far...but curious how they'll hold up long-term compared to traditional wax rings. Anyone had issues after a few years?

I've had one of those wax-free seals installed for about 4 years now - no leaks or issues yet. Honestly, seems like a solid alternative, especially if your flange isn't perfect. I'd trust it again for sure.

I've had mixed experiences with wax-free seals myself. They're definitely handy if your flange isn't in great shape, but I wonder how they'll hold up long-term - say, 10+ years? Curious if anyone's had one installed longer than 5 years yet...

"They're definitely handy if your flange isn't in great shape, but I wonder how they'll hold up long-term - say, 10+ years?"

Yeah, that's a good point. I've only seen wax-free seals in action for about 3 years tops on jobs I've helped with, and so far they've been solid. But honestly, I'm kinda skeptical about the long-term durability too. Wax seals have been around forever and seem to hold up pretty well if installed correctly... but then again, they can be messy and annoying to deal with if you gotta reseat the toilet.

Makes me wonder if climate or humidity levels might affect how well these wax-free options perform over time. Like, would they hold up differently in a humid bathroom versus a drier environment? I haven't seen anyone really talk about that yet.

I've had wax-free seals in a couple rentals for about 5-6 years now, and honestly, no issues yet. But yeah, humidity could be a factor... bathrooms with poor ventilation seem to wear everything down faster, so I'd keep an eye on that.

I've been using wax-free seals in my bathroom for about 3 years now, and honestly, no complaints from me either. But I totally agree about humidity - it's sneaky. I moved into a house last year where the previous owner had done some DIY plumbing fixes, and they didn't bother to install a proper vent fan. First thing I noticed was how fast everything started deteriorating - paint peeling, caulking getting moldy way quicker than normal, even some rust on fixtures.

Anyway, one thing that helped me a ton was installing a decent bathroom exhaust fan. It wasn't too expensive or complicated - just watched a few YouTube videos and got it done over a weekend. Made such a difference. The room feels fresher, and things aren't breaking down nearly as fast.

Also, if you're already working on plumbing stuff yourself, it's probably worth checking out your pipes and fittings while you're at it. I found some minor leaks under the sink that were causing moisture buildup I hadn't even noticed before. Tightened up those connections, replaced a couple fittings, and now it's way better. Sometimes the small things you overlook end up causing bigger headaches later...

Just my two cents as someone who's still figuring things out myself. Good luck with your DIY!

Good call on the exhaust fan - I underestimated how much difference it makes until I installed one myself. Curious though, did you check if your fan vents properly outside? Seen a few DIY installs venting straight into the attic... moisture nightmare waiting to happen.

Good point about venting outside - seen a few attic mold disasters myself from DIY installs gone wrong. Did you already have an existing vent route, or did you have to cut through an exterior wall or roof? Roof vents can be tricky to seal properly... had one tenant's install leak after heavy rain. Ended up using a roof vent kit with proper flashing, solved the issue nicely. Curious how yours turned out.

Roof vents are definitely tricky beasts... seen plenty of DIY attempts turn into indoor waterfalls, lol. If you're going through the roof, flashing kits are your best friend - just make sure you seal it up tight with roofing sealant. Had one homeowner swear he sealed it perfectly, but after a storm, his bathroom turned into a mini splash park. Proper flashing and a generous helping of sealant did the trick. Hope yours stayed dry!

Roof vents can definitely bite you if you're not careful. For anyone tackling this, here's my quick rundown: First, cut the hole just big enough - too large and you'll have trouble sealing it properly. Then, slide your flashing under the shingles above and over the ones below to channel water away. Don't skimp on roofing sealant; apply a generous bead around the flashing edges and nail heads. Finally, check your work after the first rainstorm... better safe than soggy.

Totally agree - roof vents can be sneaky little devils if you're not careful. Couple extra plumbing-specific points:

- Make sure your vent pipe extends at least 6 inches above the roofline to avoid snow buildup or debris blocking airflow.
- Don't forget to angle the vent flashing slightly downhill - water loves finding flat spots to chill out and cause trouble.
- And speaking from experience, double-check your attic afterward. Nothing worse than thinking you're golden, then finding a sneaky drip weeks later... ask me how I know.