I totally get where you’re coming from. Honestly, I’ve seen plenty of “professional” inspections that just check the same boxes any detail-oriented homeowner could. If you’re comfortable poking around and know what to watch for—like those subtle stains or even a faint musty odor—you’re already ahead of the game. I’m a big fan of learning the quirks of your own place, too. Unless you’re dealing with really old pipes or have a history of issues, calling in a pro every couple years does seem a bit much.
Home Plumbing Checkups: DIY Checklist Or Pro Inspection?
Yeah, I’m with you—most of the time, a careful walk-through does the trick. I always start under sinks for drips, then check around toilets and tubs for soft spots or discoloration. Don’t forget to run every faucet and flush every toilet, just to see if anything’s slow or noisy. If you’ve got a basement, look at the exposed pipes for corrosion or weird bulges. Unless you’re seeing rust, green stains, or hearing banging in the walls, you’re probably fine handling it yourself. Only time I call in a pro is if I spot something I can’t explain or if the house is ancient... those old galvanized pipes can hide some nasty surprises.
Those old pipes really can be a headache... I had a slow leak behind a wall for months before I noticed the paint bubbling. Ever tried using one of those moisture meters, or do you just rely on visual checks?
I hear you on the old pipes—sometimes it feels like you’re just waiting for the next surprise. I’ve actually started using a moisture meter after missing a leak behind some drywall a few years back. Visual checks are good, but those meters can catch stuff you’d never spot until it’s too late. Have you tried using an infrared camera? They’re a bit pricier, but they pick up temperature differences from hidden leaks. Just curious if anyone else has found them worth it, or if it’s overkill for most homes...
Have you tried using an infrared camera? They’re a bit pricier, but they pick up temperature differences from hidden leaks.
I’ve wondered about those too. My place is almost a hundred years old, so I’m always half-expecting to find a surprise leak somewhere. I’ve stuck with moisture meters and the occasional pro inspection, mostly because I’m not sure if an infrared camera would really catch much more in these thick plaster walls. Has anyone actually found a hidden leak with one, or is it mostly peace of mind? Sometimes I feel like the old-school methods work just fine, but maybe I’m missing out...
