Where to find discontinued plumbing adapters and rare fittings
Major home improvement stores rarely stock specialized or proprietary fittings, forcing homeowners to either track down a dedicated commercial plumbing supply house or rip out existing assemblies to start fresh. This lack of available replacement parts turns simple repairs into full-fixture replacements.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- This comes up 16.1× more often in r/Plumbing than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Visiting dedicated plumbing supply houses instead of big box hardware storesDid this help you?
- 2Removing the existing custom trap assembly entirely and replacing the entire setup with standard partsDid this help you?
- 3Using adapters to connect 3/4 inch PEX to valves with 1/2 inch IPS connectionsDid this help you?
- 4Transitioning to copper pipe right next to the valveDid this help you?
- 5Accepting the reduction to 1/2 inch at the valve while using 3/4 inch PEX for the main supply linesDid this help you?
- 6taking a picture of the part to a local plumbing supply houseDid this help you?
- 7soaking the dirty aerator in vinegar overnight and scrubbingDid this help you?
- 8Searching online stores for shipping or trying to substitute alternative metal fittings if available.Did this help you?
- 9Using a Fluidmaster universal flapperDid this help you?
- 10Stocking alternative universal 2" flappers on service trucksDid this help you?
- 11Using alternative components like threaded raised face flanges or reducer couplings with standard press flanges.Did this help you?
- 12Cutting the pipe going into the wall, gluing on a trap adapter, and installing a standard tubular p-trap.Did this help you?
- 13Searching online marketplaces like Google and AmazonDid this help you?
- 14Visiting local hardware department storesDid this help you?
- 15Using a 3D printer to fabricate custom partsDid this help you?
- 16Drilling holes into standard slotted drains manuallyDid this help you?
- 17Trying to DIY paint an existing or unbought sink using automotive paint, powder coating, or epoxy-based paint.Did this help you?
- 18Replacing the entire plumbing fixture or sinkDid this help you?
- 19Searching online marketplaces or plumbing supply stores for matching partsDid this help you?
- 20Trying to identify the part name to order a special order or custom pieceDid this help you?
- 21Consulting a second opinion or custom machine shopDid this help you?
- 22Replacing the entire underlying plumbing assembly, such as the shoe and trap, instead of just the fixture.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“We have pex right now but are struggling to find a mixing valve that goes to a tub spout and shower head AND accepts 3/4 pex.”source ↗
“Are we just going to have to transition to 1/2 inch? Is it ridiculous to even want to accomplish this?”source ↗
“We transitioned to 1/2 inch for our sinks but wanted to keep 3/4 for the shower. We currently have pex B. So it’s assumed that 3/4 pex can fit into any 1/2 ips?”source ↗
“For the life of me I cannot source a 8 hole companion flange like the ones circled in the photo.”source ↗
“So the adapter that connects my 1 inch line to my water heater has failed sadly and sprung a nasty leak. I can’t find this specific adapter anywhere other than online with way too long of a wait.”source ↗
“The water in my home is currently off until I figure this out so I’m trying to do whatever I can to have this fixed asap.”source ↗
“Every p-trap in my house looks like this and I cannot find a replacement anywhere and none of the universal ones fit.”source ↗
“I’m a little lost on what to do. This type of pex tubing and fittings are discontinued and the ball valves are leaking and it needs to be repaired in less than 2 weeks as the unit owner needs to pass inspection to sell unit.”source ↗
“I couldn’t find this adapter at Home Depot or Lowe’s. I’m curious if a real plumbing supply store would have this fitting.”source ↗
“the nut was specific to them so you will have to remove the rest of the trap and start fresh.”source ↗
“Any ideas where I can find a replacement for this old cartridge on a bathroom faucet? Brand is Sherle Wagner and they have been unhelpful in sourcing a replacement part thus far.”source ↗
“Could not find via a Google/amazon search or local hardware dept. Figure I just have a name wrong. A link would be much appreciated.”source ↗
“Can't find it in 4 inch”source ↗
“Seems to me that the whole corroded part needs to be replaced, and I’m getting the sense that just grabbing one online might be a….pipe dream. Is this the kind of thing that could be sourced through a custom machine shop?”source ↗
“I work at a supply house now and people always bring stuff like this in and are shocked when we don’t stock it”source ↗
“Are there folks who custom make these sort of things? We’d much rather repair this than install a new sink.”source ↗
“Looking to replace the tub drain in my 1966-built home and have come across an interesting thread. The major diameter looks to be 1.75” and the threads are indeed between 11 and 12 TPI confirmed by a trusted machinist with a thread gauge at work.”source ↗
“I cant find a replacement flapper with the plastic arms and mounting tabs. Any suggestions?”source ↗
“The overflow tube doesnt have pegs on it. It has holes and the pegs are on the plastic arm that the flapper is attached to. Those pegs snap into the holes on the overflow tube. Would this flapper still work with that setup?”source ↗
“My regular plumber tells me that our sink is a very rare set up for a residential installation. Rather than looking for a replacement for the corroded part pictured here, he proposes a new sink.”source ↗
“Can anyone tell me the name of the corroded part so that I can try to find it?”source ↗
“Got no idea on brand of tub or faucet....no names on anything. Hoping maybe one of you ran into this before”source ↗
“Me and my girlfriend have been trying for months to find a red sink for the bathroom but had no luck yet.”source ↗
“I haven’t bought the sink yet so it could depend on what can be painted the best.”source ↗
“Haven’t bought the sink yet so if you have advice on which material can be painted the best it would also be appreciated .”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 6Affordable wall hung toilets that aren't Toto
- 25How to identify unknown plumbing parts in a building
- 6How do I know which plumbing parts to buy for a DIY repair?
- 2Where to find specific replacement parts for broken fixtures
- 6How to find a replacement for an obsolete plumbing plug
- 22How to identify a faucet cartridge without measurements or a brand name