Plumbing question

[Jokarva]

Our master bath redo is finally finished, but when I was putting stuff back in the vanity today I noticed gray plastic water lines......when the plumber was here I gave him four of the white 'braided' type lines that were left from a plumbing project at the last house and asked him to use them. But now I see these - is there some reason he would have used these instead (I don't even know what they are)? Is one type better than the other? He didn't return the lines I gave him.

I don't want to raise a fuss if there's no reason to....and I've already had to call him back twice to fix small problems, so I'd rather not see him again if there's no need.

Thanks for any info!

[Harry Chickpea]

Not a real problem. If the ones you gave him were too long, he may have decided on these to be neater.

[arabian knight]

Or they may have been too short. They are not always the same length as a previous set up may have been. Or the shutoff valve may not have been the same fitting as th eold one had on it.

[TnAndy]

Originally Posted by arabian knight

...the shutoff valve may not have been the same fitting as the old one had on it.

Probably that one.

The valve in your photo is a 3/8" compression type, meaning you needed chrome coated copper, or that grey plastic type line to connect on the compression ring.

The white braided hoses often use a 3/8 pipe thread fitting, ( it will say IPT on the box....iron pipe thread ) which looks very very similar to the valve you have, except for the connection thread.

When you look at valves at the big box supply store, there are many different types....not only the connects, but straight, angled and regular ( you have to turn it 3-4 complete turns to shut off ) or 90 degree stop ( half turn, they're off ).

But ALL the boxes look the same.....

[farminghandyman]

they look like polybutylene lines, and if they are that could be problem. there has been problems, as it ages.

the white braded or stainless steel braded, usually screw on to the compression thread not using the nut or compression ring,

[wharton]

Definitely not my first choice. I would replace them with the proper length of braided stainless steel wrapped line. They are about $5 each at any big box DIY store. They come in 2" increments, like 12", 14" etc. Just get ones that are slightly longer than the measurement under the sink. The top connection can be done by hand, the bottom just needs a small adjustable wrench. When you take the old tube out, the nut and compression ring at the valve get tossed out. The new tube has a nut with a built in rubber ring inside. Easy job.

[Fire-Man]

Everyone has a opinion! There are alot reasons as already stated that he did not use the ones you gave him.. As long as the ones are working and are not leaking, they should last you MANY years(20/30/40) and I would Leave them right there. As long as your home is heated(not allowed to get below freezing) you are Good! JMO

[texican]

As long as it works, imho, it's good!

I usually use whatever I have on hand... might not be the prettiest connection, but it beats a drive to town.

[manfred]

I have a friend that is a master plumber, I have real confidence in him. He said the braided lines he has seen many times rusted through and spraying water. He uses the plastic ones.

[Jokarva]

Thanks guys, appreciate all the info. I think I will call him to ask why he didn't use the lines I gave him, and then just leave it at that.

The braided lines cost about 5 times as much as the ones he used . That being said , I have used the grey lines many , many times & see no problem with them .

[arabian knight]

The grey ones are made from different plastic then the white plastic lines. And they do last a long time because of the different compounds that are used in the grey ones.