That $5 compression fitting from Ace Hardware saved my kitchen sink where a $30 plumber fix failed

I was dead set that paying for a name brand repair kit was the only way to stop a leak under my sink in Portland. After three trips to Home Depot and still dripping, the old guy at Ace told me to grab the cheap brass fitting instead. He said most leaks are from overtightening, not bad parts, and he was right... it sealed perfectly on the first try with just hand pressure. Has anyone else had a cheap hardware store fix beat the expensive stuff?

2 comments

2 Comments

lily_stone766d ago

Hand tight only? No way that actually worked.

baker.riley6d ago

Had a buddy try that on his old Toyota, hand tightened the oil drain plug after a change. He drove maybe 20 miles before it vibrated loose and dumped all the oil on the highway. Seized the engine about two exits later, had to get it towed and it was basically totaled. You believe in hand tight, you better have a good insurance policy handy.