Totally get where you're coming from on this. I've had my fair share of plumbing "adventures," and honestly, sometimes messing with those old valves just isn't worth the risk. A couple years ago, I tried to swap out a bathroom faucet thinking it'd be a quick afternoon project. Of course, the shut-off valve was ancient and crusty, and as soon as I touched it, water started dripping everywhere. Ended up having to replace not just the valve but part of the pipe behind it...not exactly what I'd planned for my weekend or my wallet.
Since then, I've adopted your approach—just shutting off the main supply. Yeah, it's a bit annoying going back and forth, but honestly, it's way less stressful than dealing with a valve that might decide to give up on life halfway through the job. Plus, you avoid the whole domino effect of one issue leading to another.
As for the basin wrench thing, I've definitely been there too. Basin wrenches are handy for tight spaces under sinks, but they're not always necessary. I've done exactly what you described—wrapped channel locks in an old rag or towel to avoid scratching things up—and it worked fine. Sure, it took me longer and required some awkward yoga positions under the sink, but it got the job done without shelling out extra cash for a specialized tool I'd rarely use.
I think you're being pretty practical here. Plumbing can quickly spiral into expensive territory if you're not careful, so finding ways to save money without compromising too much on results is smart thinking. You're definitely not alone in trying to make do with what's already in your toolbox...sometimes that's half the fun (or frustration!) of DIY projects.
You're definitely making solid points here—sometimes those specialized tools really do sit unused in the garage forever. But I’d gently push back a bit on the basin wrench thing...if you ever have to do more than one sink, it might be worth the small investment. Mine has saved me from enough awkward sink-yoga poses to justify itself over time. Still, your practical workaround is totally valid, and honestly, figuring out clever solutions like yours is half the satisfaction of DIY.
I get what you're saying about some tools just collecting dust—I have a tile cutter that's been sitting untouched since I did my backsplash two years ago. But the basin wrench...yeah, gotta agree there. I borrowed one from a neighbor when I swapped out our bathroom faucet last summer, and it seriously saved my sanity. Before that, I was trying to squeeze my hand into spaces it definitely wasn't meant to go—talk about sink yoga, haha.
Still, I'm all for creative workarounds. Recently had to clear a slow drain and didn't want to use harsh chemicals (trying to keep things eco-friendly around here). Ended up using baking soda, vinegar, and hot water...worked surprisingly well! Sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best.
Totally relate to the tile cutter thing—mine's been gathering dust since forever. But honestly, basin wrenches are worth their weight in gold. Learned that the hard way after a few too many scraped knuckles and colorful language sessions under sinks. The baking soda and vinegar trick is solid, though I've found it works best if you catch the clog early. For tougher blockages, I've had decent luck with a drain snake—messy but effective, and still eco-friendly enough. Beats calling a plumber at midnight...again.
- Basin wrench is definitely a lifesaver, agreed.
- Drain snakes are solid too, but I've had mixed results—sometimes they just push the clog further down.
- Curious if anyone's tried those enzyme-based drain cleaners? Heard they're eco-friendly but not sure about effectiveness...
