It’s been a year full of unexpected fails, creative fixes, and downright strange experiments in the plumbing world. Best Plumbing Moments of 2022 is a celebration of the highlights (and occasional mishaps) that made this year both entertaining and educational. From high-pressure bursts to unusual ways of dealing with everyday clogs, this post recaps the segments that kept us all on our toes. If you’re a curious DIYer, an established tradesperson, or simply looking for a laugh at some of the plumbing industry’s most memorable moments, you’re in the right place.
Remembering the Fun and the Fails
While plumbers and tradespeople always aim for top-notch workmanship, the real world can throw all sorts of wrenches into the best laid plans. This year, we’ve seen videos of fruitcakes, toy dolls, a thousand Mentos, and even molten lead. People tried insane methods for clearing clogs and tested over-the-top fixes, all for the sake of experimentation. However, there’s an underlying lesson to these comedic misadventures—plumbing, done correctly, is as much about ingenuity and skill as it is about caution.
So, kick back, imagine you’re enjoying a mug of coffee (or something stronger), and join us as we relive the best highlights.
1. The “Scoring PVC Pipe” Teaser
One memorable clip involved taking a piece of PVC pipe and scoring it with deep grooves. Why do this at all? Some folks believe it speeds the primer or solvent weld process, giving the glue more “tooth” to bite into. Others say it helps reduce friction for flow. In reality, while scoring might slightly alter the surface, it can also weaken the overall pipe structure if done too aggressively. The real takeaway? Stick to standard pipe prep—cut clean, deburr, and use the correct primer and cement.
2. Overly Big Torch Flames
When you see a monstrous flame coming out of a torch, it’s often comedic and dramatic, but it underscores the importance of using the right size tip and having good flame control. Sure, that big orange fireball looks cool, yet it can scorch fittings, burn walls, or cause dangerous heat stress to materials. The best practice is to keep a smaller, more precise flame for typical soldering. Overkill is just that—too large of a flame can ruin the joint and put you at risk.
3. Lead Melting Segment
In older or more specialized contexts, some professionals still melt lead for certain tasks, such as lead and oakum joints or historical restorations. Seeing molten lead is fascinating, but you want to treat it with utmost respect. Lead is toxic and can create harmful fumes if handled improperly. Moreover, local codes often discourage or prohibit lead in potable water lines. If you must melt lead for a classic pipe joint, ensure you have adequate ventilation, protective gear, and the necessary training.
4. Breaking a Fitting with a Screwdriver
Who hasn’t tried to chisel something the quick way—only to crack the part you were trying to remove? In one clip, we watched as a plumber used a screwdriver like a cold chisel to free a piece, only to hear that dreaded snap. The moral of the story is that specialized removal tools exist for a reason (e.g., reamers, internal cutters, or appropriate chisels). Shortcuts can save a few seconds, but they might end up causing more damage and costing more time in the end.
5. Fruitcake and Delivery Chaos
A less technical but thoroughly amusing story involved a fruitcake from a famous bakery. The punchline? It came half-eaten. Was the driver nibbling it? Did it get lost mid-route? Maybe a coworker got hungry. It’s a silly moment that reminds us how bizarre day-to-day events in a plumbing shop can be—things happen off the job as well as on it. Life as a tradesperson isn’t always about pipes and wrenches; sometimes, you return from a service call to find an unexpected surprise in your lunch or your deliveries.
6. Sinking Noodles, Rice, and Eggs Down the Drain
At one point, we saw a demonstration of literally cramming large amounts of food waste—cabbage, noodles, eggs—into a drain. The comedic effect was immediate, but it also illustrated a vital lesson about what not to stuff down your kitchen sink. Even if you have a garbage disposal, chunking big items (especially eggshells or fibrous foods) can overwhelm your disposal and lead to blockages. In real homes, these clogs can create backups that require professional snaking or hydro-jetting. So, while it’s hilarious to see on camera, do yourself a favor and scrape large leftovers into the trash or compost.
7. Coke and Mentos “Drain Fix”
The Coke-and-Mentos reaction is a viral phenomenon for making soda fizz up. But does it fix clogs? Probably not. The comedic attempts highlight that the chemical reaction might be entertaining, yet it doesn’t provide sustained pressure or dissolving power like professional drain cleaners or mechanical solutions. The geyser you get is more likely to spray sticky soda all over than to clear out obstructions. This fiasco is great content, but not a serious method to adopt.
8. The Exploding Water Pressures
From over-pressurized lines to unexpected water blasts out of open pipes, we’ve seen it all. One big moment was how easily water pressure can cause a wave of water to surge if you pull the wrong plug or open the wrong valve. If you’re a plumber or a DIY enthusiast, remember: always depressurize the system properly, and watch your line pressures. No one wants to replicate the “wave” effect indoors.
9. Barbie Meets the Garbage Disposal
In one snippet, a Barbie doll was intentionally fed into a garbage disposal. That’s obviously not something recommended in real life—unless you want to break your disposal or retrieve toy parts from your drain. The comedic meltdown of the toy under the disposal’s blades underscores that disposals are powerful. They’re meant for moderate amounts of biodegradable kitchen waste, not entire plastic objects. Kids, keep your toys safely away from the sink.
10. Fishing for an iPhone
Phones falling into drains or toilets is surprisingly common. In one comedic highlight, an iPhone ended up in the disposal side of the sink. Trying to fish it out with a giant set of tongs or your bare hands can be precarious. If you ever drop a phone down the drain, the best approach is to power off the disposal (or the entire breaker), and carefully reach in. Or disassemble the trap if needed. Don’t just run the disposal hoping it’ll fix itself.
11. Pipe Meltdown Fails
Experimental segments included meltdown tests: applying direct flame to pipes or layering on chemical or rubber sealants. Sometimes these produce comedic results—like the pipe bursting under minimal pressure. The fail points to the best practice: always use the correct adhesives, primers, or mechanical connections. Quick fixes (like duct tape or random epoxy) might hold for a short while but can yield major floods later.
12. Tools Breaking at the Worst Time
Several times, we saw brand-new or rarely used tools fail unexpectedly—like a big pipe wrench that slipped, or a specialized flex shaft cable that disconnected mid-use. The lesson? Even brand-name gear can have hiccups. Inspect your cables, bits, and wrenches before each use, especially if they’ve been sitting in the van for months. If you’re about to do a big job, do a quick test. Tools break, but you can minimize surprises.
Reflections on 2022
Watching these highlights underscores that plumbing is as much about creativity and quick thinking as it is about systematically following best practices. Sure, there are brand-approved adhesives, local building codes, and thoroughly tested repair methods. But the unpredictability of real jobs can lead to moments no classroom or code book ever prepared you for—like removing a toy doll from your disposal or discovering half-eaten fruitcake in your breakroom.
We also see how the trade can mix science, artistry, and comedic flair. Some stunts are purely for demonstration, revealing how conventional adhesives or fittings behave under stress. Others caution us not to put certain foods (or entire plastic dolls) down the sink. Overall, these “best plumbing moments” highlight that while mistakes happen, each error is a stepping stone to better craftsmanship.
Top Lessons for Homeowners
• Don’t treat your disposal like a trash can. Fibrous, starchy, or bulky items can jam it up.
• Avoid random chemical experiments (like Coke + Mentos) to unclog drains. Use mechanical means or approved cleaners.
• Real adhesives, proper fittings, and correct installation are safer than short-term “miracle” fixes.
• Over-pressurized lines can create floods if you remove the wrong cap or valve. Turn off water correctly.
Top Lessons for Plumbers
• Inspect your gear. A cable or special tool can fail at the worst moment if it’s worn or defective.
• Maintain a sense of humor—some calls or challenges are simply weird.
• Always double-check the water or pressure is off before making a cut.
• Record or photograph your weirdest calls for posterity—just keep the client’s privacy in mind.
Moving Forward into the Next Year
With 2022 behind us, the big question is what new challenges and comedic fails 2023 will bring. The plumbing industry constantly evolves with new tools, faster adhesives, and re-engineered fixtures. If you’re a professional, keep refining your craft, because you never know when you’ll have to cut open a line that someone clogged with noodles and eggs. If you’re a DIYer, practice caution—some of these stunts remind us of the cost and mess that follow a poorly done repair.
And always remember: a skilled plumber can fix your meltdown, but it’s cheaper and easier to avoid meltdown-worthy mistakes in the first place. Barriers like good strainers in your sink, turning off the water supply, and using recommended primers and adhesives for pipes will save you from re-watching any “fail” moment in your own home.
