Haha, plastic wrap does sound goofy, but hey, whatever works! I've done my share of DIY plumbing fixes, and honestly, I just use a cheap baseball cap to shield my headlamp from drips. Keeps the water off and doesn't fog up like plastic sometimes does. Plus, no leftovers vibe... Just my two cents.
Haha, baseball cap trick is solid—I might steal that one next time. Honestly, plumbing DIYs always end up with me soaked no matter what I try. Last time I tackled a leaky faucet, I thought I'd be clever and wear safety goggles to keep water out of my eyes. Big mistake...they fogged up instantly, and I ended up blindly fumbling around under the sink like some kind of amateur plumber mime act.
These days, I just throw an old towel over my shoulder and accept the inevitable drips. Less elegant than your baseball cap solution, but at least it doubles as a cleanup rag when I'm done. Practicality wins again, right?
Haha, totally relate to the goggles fiasco—been there, done that. Honestly, plumbing DIYs are just one of those things where getting a little wet seems unavoidable. I've tried the towel-over-the-shoulder trick too, and it definitely helps. Another thing I've found useful is keeping a shallow plastic tray or baking sheet under the sink to catch drips and small parts. Saves me from fishing washers and screws out of the drain trap later (ask me how I learned that lesson...).
Also, if you're dealing with stubborn fittings, a bit of plumber's tape can be a lifesaver. Took me way too long to realize how much easier it makes reassembly. And speaking of practicality, I always keep a bucket handy—perfect for catching unexpected gushes of water or just tossing wet tools into afterward.
But yeah, no matter how prepared I think I am, plumbing always finds a way to humble me. Guess that's just part of the DIY charm, right?
I've found silicone grease can be even better than plumber's tape for stubborn fittings—especially if you might need to loosen things again later. Curious though, anyone tried those eco-friendly pipe sealants? Wondering how they hold up over time...
I've used some of those eco-friendly sealants on a couple bathroom jobs. Honestly, mixed feelings. They're pretty easy to apply and clean up nicely—no nasty fumes either, which is a plus if you're working in a tight space. But durability-wise, it's been hit or miss for me.
One brand held up fine for about a year, but then started leaking slightly around the threads. Had to redo it with traditional tape and silicone grease combo. Another one I tried (can't remember the name, green label something...) has been solid for almost two years now, no issues at all.
I'd say if your fittings are easy to access later, it might be worth giving the eco stuff a shot. But if they're buried behind drywall or tile—personally, I'd stick to the tried-and-true methods. Just my two cents though.
