Changed my mind about using duct tape for everything

My bathroom faucet handle was wobbling loose for a week, and I just kept wrapping more duct tape around it. It looked awful and got gummy. Yesterday, I finally took it apart and found the little plastic bushing inside was cracked. A new one cost 75 cents at the hardware store and took two minutes to pop in. The handle is solid now, no tape needed. Why do we always reach for the tape first instead of the simple five minute fix?

2 comments

2 Comments

bethh209d ago

My dad's old truck had a duct tape patch on the seat for years. It's like we see the immediate problem and grab the roll, ignoring the root cause. I did the same thing with a loose door hinge last month, just kept tightening the screws until the wood was stripped. The real fix was a two dollar pack of longer screws. That quick fix mindset costs more time and money in the long run.

richard_kelly548d ago

My uncle's plumbing business sees this all the time. People use tape or caulk on a leaky joint when the real issue is a worn washer. That temporary gunk just makes the proper repair harder and more expensive later.