Curious what folks here prefer—doing your own plumbing walkthrough with one of those online checklists, or just hiring a pro to do the inspection? I’ve tried both and honestly, I’m not sure which is better. The DIY route saves cash, but I always feel like I’m missing something. Anyone feel strongly one way or the other?
I always get tempted to just run through a checklist myself—especially since half the time, it’s just looking for leaks or weird noises. But then I remember the time I missed a slow drip under the sink that turned into a moldy science experiment. I guess I lean toward pros for the big stuff, but still poke around myself every few months... just in case!
I always get tempted to just run through a checklist myself—especially since half the time, it’s just looking for leaks or weird noises. But then I remember the time I missed a slow drip under the sink that turned into a moldy science experiment.
That “moldy science experiment” line made me laugh—been there, done that, and let’s just say it was not my finest hour. I totally get the urge to go DIY, especially when it’s just poking around for obvious stuff. But here’s the thing: water damage is sneaky. It’s like the silent destroyer of beautiful spaces. You can have the most stunning backsplash or custom cabinetry, and all it takes is one missed drip to turn your dream kitchen into a disaster zone.
I’m all for getting hands-on (half my job is about creative problem-solving), but when it comes to anything hidden or potentially expensive, I’d rather call in someone who knows what they’re doing. I’d much rather spend my Saturday picking out tile samples than elbow-deep in soggy drywall... Still, I’ll admit, there’s something weirdly satisfying about catching a tiny leak before it turns into a full-blown crisis. Maybe it’s just the thrill of victory over plumbing?
- Been there with the “science experiment”—mine was under the bathroom sink. Didn’t notice until the floorboards started buckling, and by then it was way more expensive than a pro checkup would’ve been.
- I try to do my own quick checks every few months: look under sinks, feel for moisture, listen for weird sounds. But I’m not crawling around with a flashlight in the crawlspace, that’s for sure.
- If it’s something I can see or hear, I’ll handle it. Anything hidden or iffy? I’d rather pay a plumber once a year than deal with insurance headaches.
- Honestly, I’d rather spend money on stuff that actually makes my house better, not just fixing preventable messes... but leaks are sneaky. Learned that the hard way.
- I try to do my own quick checks every few months: look under sinks, feel for moisture, listen for weird sounds.
Title: Home plumbing checkups: DIY checklist or pro inspection?
That’s exactly what worries me—stuff you can’t see until it’s a disaster. I tried following a YouTube checklist last fall and thought I’d nailed it, but then my shower started leaking behind the wall anyway. Felt pretty useless after all that “inspecting.” Maybe there’s just no way to catch everything unless you’re trained for it? Still, paying for a pro every year feels like overkill when most of the time nothing’s wrong...
