Water always wins if you let your guard down.
Ain’t that the truth. I used to think a quick peek under the sink was enough—until I found a “mystery puddle” in the basement. Now my routine includes sniff tests for musty smells and running my hand along pipes for damp spots. Still, I agree, nothing beats a pro’s infrared camera for finding the stuff you can’t see. Worth the peace of mind, especially in these old houses that seem to hide leaks like it’s a game.
I hear you on the “mystery puddle”—old houses are notorious for that sort of thing. My go-to is a checklist I’ve put together over the years: check under sinks, around toilets, behind appliances, and don’t forget the ceilings for any stains. I try to get into crawl spaces every few months, too. Still, you’re right, infrared cameras catch what we can’t. For me, a combo of routine DIY checks and a pro inspection every couple years seems to catch most issues before they get expensive.
Title: Home Plumbing Checkups: DIY Checklist or Pro Inspection?
For me, a combo of routine DIY checks and a pro inspection every couple years seems to catch most issues before they get expensive.
Not to rain on the parade, but I've seen plenty of situations where those “every couple years” pro inspections missed stuff that turned ugly fast. Water lines, especially old galvanized or copper, can spring pinhole leaks you won’t spot until the drywall’s stained or the subfloor’s mushy. Even the best DIY checklist can’t always catch things like slow leaks inside walls or under slab foundations.
If you’re living in an older place, honestly, I’d nudge the pro inspection up to once a year, especially if you’ve got any history of leaks or recent plumbing work. Had a client swear by their checklist and still ended up with a $5k repair because a wax ring failed behind a rarely-used toilet. Infrared cameras are great, but they’re not a magic bullet—sometimes it’s the old-school moisture meter or even just a seasoned plumber’s nose that catches the musty smell before the rot sets in.
Routine checks are great, but with plumbing, I’d err on the side of too careful. Water damage is sneaky and expensive.
Infrared cameras are great, but they’re not a magic bullet—sometimes it’s the old-school moisture meter or even just a seasoned plumber’s nose that catches the musty smell before the rot sets in.
That’s the truth. I once bought a duplex where the “pro” inspector gave it a clean bill of health, but a week after closing, I noticed the faintest whiff of Eau de Swamp in the hallway. Turns out, a slow leak had been marinating the subfloor for months. Ended up with a plumber crawling around like a truffle pig, sniffing out the source. Cost me a chunk, but at least I got a good story out of it.
I get the urge to save a few bucks with DIY, but water’s like that one tenant who never calls until the ceiling’s caving in. Curious—has anyone actually found a leak with one of those fancy cameras, or is it mostly just plumbers using their “spidey senses”? I’m starting to think the best tool is paranoia...
Paranoia’s not a bad tool, honestly. I’ve used infrared cameras plenty, and they’re great for spotting temperature differences, but they miss stuff if the leak’s not active or the area’s already dried out. Sometimes it’s just a weird stain on the baseboard or a soft spot in the floor that gives it away. I trust my moisture meter more than any camera, but nothing beats poking around and trusting your gut when something smells off. Technology’s helpful, but it’s not a substitute for actually getting your hands dirty.