Yeah, recycled fittings definitely have their quirks. I've seen a couple hold up fine, but honestly, I wouldn't gamble on them behind drywall either. Had one crack on me during a test run—thankfully before sealing the wall! Maybe they're okay if you can keep an eye on them, but for hidden stuff, proven materials just feel safer. Guess it depends how lucky you're feeling with your DIY karma...
"Maybe they're okay if you can keep an eye on them, but for hidden stuff, proven materials just feel safer."
Yeah, I get the hesitation, but isn't part of DIY about finding sustainable alternatives? Wonder if there's a reliable way to test recycled fittings beforehand... anyone tried pressure-testing setups at home?
Yeah, I totally get where you're coming from. Last summer, I helped a buddy redo his basement bathroom, and we tried using some reclaimed fittings he got from a salvage yard. We rigged up a basic pressure test using an air compressor and a gauge—nothing fancy, just capped off the ends and watched the gauge for drops. Worked okay, but honestly, it was a bit nerve-wracking. Ended up swapping out a couple fittings anyway because they looked sketchy under pressure... better safe than sorry, right?
That sounds like a pretty smart way to go about it—pressure testing reclaimed fittings is definitely gutsy. Did you guys end up using any thread sealant or tape on those older fittings, or just tighten them down and hope for the best? I've been tempted by salvage yard finds myself (prices are tempting...), but always chickened out at the last minute because of exactly what you described. Seems like there's always one fitting that looks fine at first glance but ends up being sketchy once you actually put pressure on it.
Honestly, I think your instinct was spot-on to swap out anything questionable. Plumbing isn't the place I'd want to gamble too much, especially if it's hidden behind walls or under floors. Did you notice any specific issues with corrosion or threading damage when you pulled the sketchy ones out? Curious if there's a good way to visually inspect reclaimed fittings before committing to them. Anyway, props for giving it a shot—DIY plumbing can be nerve-wracking enough even with brand-new parts.
I've had mixed luck with reclaimed fittings myself. Usually, I'll clean the threads thoroughly with a wire brush and inspect closely for hairline cracks or corrosion pits—those tiny imperfections can be sneaky. Thread sealant is my go-to rather than tape, especially on older fittings, since it fills in minor irregularities better. Did you guys notice any difference in reliability between brass and galvanized fittings? I've found brass tends to hold up better over time, but curious what your experience was.