Painter's tape peeling fresh paint is the worst—been there myself more times than I'd like to admit. Agree on plumbing being satisfying once sorted, but don't underestimate the importance of double-checking your shut-off valves before diving in. Had a tenant once who flooded half the bathroom because they skipped that step...not fun. Also, keep an eye out for slow leaks afterward; sometimes they don't show up til days later. Better safe than sorry with plumbing projects, trust me.
Had a similar experience with slow leaks myself—thought everything was good after replacing the faucet, but a week later noticed dampness under the vanity. Now I always put paper towels down for a few days afterward...just to be sure.
Had something similar happen when I redid our guest bathroom. Thought I'd nailed it after swapping out the faucet and drain assembly, but a few days later, noticed a faint water stain on the cabinet floor. Turns out, the leak was coming from the drain tailpiece connection—just a tiny drip every now and then, barely noticeable.
Since then, I've gotten into the habit of running water for a good 5-10 minutes after any plumbing fix, checking all connections with a flashlight and dry fingers. Also, I usually wrap a bit of toilet paper around each joint temporarily—it's super sensitive to moisture and shows even the smallest leaks clearly. Paper towels work too, but TP seems to catch those sneaky drips faster.
Another thing I've learned: don't overtighten plastic fittings. Seems counterintuitive, but overtightening can actually deform the washers or threads and cause leaks. Hand-tight plus maybe a quarter-turn with a wrench is usually plenty.
Good tips overall, but personally I wouldn't recommend using toilet paper or paper towels to check for leaks—seems a bit wasteful, especially if you're doing plumbing fixes regularly. I've found that placing a reusable cloth or even a small mirror underneath the joints works just as well. The mirror trick is handy because it shows drips clearly without needing disposable materials. Plus, it's easy enough to wipe clean and reuse next time around...just my two cents.
I've had good luck with mirrors too, especially in tight spots under sinks. Once caught a tiny drip that would've gone unnoticed otherwise. Curious though, how do you handle drying out your reusable cloths afterward to avoid mold or funky smells?
