Definitely been there. Last time I swapped out a kitchen sink, I found a handful of rusty screws and what looked like a melted plastic toy wedged behind the drain. Universal kits are a pain—always end up making an extra trip for some oddball fitting. Old plumbing just never matches up the way you hope. Still, after wrestling with it for hours, I guess it does make the next job seem less intimidating.
Universal kits are the worst, right? They’re always “universal” until you actually try to use them on anything older than five years. I swear, whoever designs those must have never set foot under a real sink. Last time I did a kitchen swap, I ended up with three different trips to the hardware store, and I’m still not convinced I got the best fit.
The thing that gets me is how much waste ends up in the process—old pipes, random bits of plastic, all the packaging from the “one size fits all” kit that didn’t fit anything. It’s wild how much stuff just gets tossed. Sometimes I wonder if it’s even worth trying to retrofit when half the time you’re forced to replace more than you planned. Not saying new is always better, but old plumbing is like a box of surprises... usually unpleasant ones.
I do agree though—after you survive one of these jobs, it definitely makes you less nervous the next time around. Still, I wish there was a greener way to handle all this mess.
The thing that gets me is how much waste ends up in the process—old pipes, random bits of plastic, all the packaging from the “one size fits all” kit that didn’t fit anything.
That’s exactly what bugs me too. I always feel like I’m paying extra for a bunch of adapters and parts I’ll never use. Has anyone actually found a kit that doesn’t leave you with a pile of leftovers? Or is it just better to buy individual pieces as you go? I’m trying to keep costs down, but it feels wasteful either way.
Title: Just put in a new kitchen sink and wondering if anyone else struggled this much
Yeah, I totally get it—the “universal” kits are never actually universal, right? I’ve tried a few brands over the years, and honestly, there’s always a handful of weird bits left over. Sometimes I end up buying individual fittings after the fact anyway. It’s frustrating, but at least you know you’re not alone. I usually keep the extras in a bin just in case... but that bin is getting out of control.
I usually keep the extras in a bin just in case... but that bin is getting out of control.
That “extras” bin is like a black hole, isn’t it? I’ve got one too, and every time I do a project, it gets heavier. Last time I swapped a sink, I swear the so-called universal drain didn’t fit by half an inch. Ended up making three trips to the hardware store. Makes you wonder if these kits are designed by people who’ve ever actually installed one themselves...
