Ever notice how a slow drip can warp the cabinet base before you even catch it?
Yeah, seen that more times than I can count. Folks think a tiny drip’s no big deal, but give it a week and you’re looking at a soft, swollen mess under there. Under-sink filters are just more involved—more joints, more chances for something to get knocked loose or not tightened enough. I’ve had calls where the only sign was a musty smell, and by then the wood’s already toast.
Countertop filters are way simpler. Less to go wrong, and if there’s a leak, you see it right away on the counter instead of hidden out of sight. Still, I’ve seen people cross-thread those faucet adapters too... nothing’s totally foolproof. But yeah, if someone’s not comfortable with plumbing work, countertop is usually less hassle and less risk for water damage. That towel trick under new installs? Always worth it—saves headaches later.
I hear you on the musty smell—by the time you notice, it’s usually too late for the wood. I went with a countertop filter for that exact reason. Curious though, has anyone found a good way to hide the hoses without making it a pain to move when cleaning? My kitchen’s not huge, so clutter adds up fast.
Curious though, has anyone found a good way to hide the hoses without making it a pain to move when cleaning? My kitchen’s not huge, so clutter adds up fast.
Honestly, I get what you mean about the clutter. My kitchen’s on the smaller side too, and those countertop filter hoses can be a pain. I tried running mine along the back of the counter and using a couple of adhesive clips—works fine, but still not perfect. Under sink filters are more of a pain upfront to install, but once they’re in, you don’t have to think about hoses at all. If you’re renting or not handy, though, countertop is just less headache. Just gotta pick your battles, I guess.
I hear you on the clutter—those hoses are always in the way. I went under sink for exactly that reason, even though the install was a pain. Once it’s done, though, it’s out of sight and honestly just makes life easier. If you’re even a little handy, it’s worth the hassle upfront. Countertop filters just never looked tidy enough for me, no matter what tricks I tried.
Once it’s done, though, it’s out of sight and honestly just makes life easier.
Couldn’t agree more—having all that stuff tucked away under the sink is a game changer. I’ve seen folks get nervous about tapping into the cold water line, but honestly, if you’re comfortable with basic plumbing tools, it’s pretty straightforward. Did you run into any issues with space under there? Sometimes garbage disposals or weird pipe layouts can make things tricky. Countertop filters are definitely quicker to set up, but yeah... those hoses always seem to be in the way no matter how you try to organize them.
