Still, for older homes especially, I’d rather spend a bit more upfront on a solid inspection every few years than deal with mold remediation down the line. The peace of mind is worth it for me, b...
I hear you on the musty smell—sometimes your nose is the best tool. That said, I do like a checklist approach for peace of mind between pro inspections. I’ll usually check under sinks, around toilets, and in the basement for damp spots or discoloration every few months. If I spot anything off, then I’ll call someone in. Not foolproof, but it’s caught a couple small leaks before they got out of hand. Those cheap hygrometers are more of a backup for me, not the main event.
Totally get the musty smell thing—my old place has a knack for hiding leaks in the weirdest spots. Last winter, I found a slow drip behind a wall panel in the dining room... only noticed because the wallpaper started to bubble. Now I do a quick sweep every couple months, but honestly, sometimes I just follow my nose and hope for the best. Those pro inspections are pricey, but when you’ve got 100-year-old pipes, sometimes it’s worth it just for the sleep at night. Still, there’s something satisfying about catching a problem yourself before it gets wild.
Now I do a quick sweep every couple months, but honestly, sometimes I just follow my nose and hope for the best.
That’s basically my strategy too—my nose is my unofficial leak detector. But I gotta say, after getting burned by a “minor” drip that turned into a full-on mold party behind my bathroom vanity, I’m a little more paranoid now. I get the appeal of DIY checks (and saving money), but there’s only so much you can see or smell before things get out of hand.
I’m not totally sold on pro inspections every year, though. They’re expensive, and half the time they just poke around and tell you what you already know. But with ancient pipes, sometimes it’s like playing plumbing roulette. I’ve started using one of those cheap moisture meters—surprisingly handy for finding damp spots before they get gross. Not a replacement for a pro, but it’s saved me a couple headaches.
Honestly, I think a mix of both is the way to go. Trust your instincts, do your own checks, but maybe bring in the pros every few years just to make sure you’re not missing something lurking in the walls. Otherwise, you’re just rolling the dice and hoping for the best... and that’s a gamble I’m not always willing to take.
- I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen way too many “just a little drip” situations snowball into major repairs.
- DIY checks are great, but honestly, a lot of stuff hides in places you can’t see or reach—especially with older houses.
- Moisture meters help, but they don’t catch slow leaks behind tile or inside walls. Had a client who swore by his, but by the time he called us, his subfloor was toast.
- Pro inspections can feel pricey, but sometimes that $200 saves you a $2,000 headache down the line.
- Maybe not every year, but I’d still lean toward more frequent pro checks if your plumbing’s pushing retirement age... just my two cents.
I hear you on the “just a drip” thing—seen it turn into a full-blown nightmare more than once. Thing is, I’ve flipped enough houses to know that even the best DIYer can miss stuff, especially in those 60s and 70s builds where pipes run in the weirdest places. I’m all for rolling up your sleeves and checking under sinks, around toilets, and in the basement, but there’s only so much you can do without cutting into drywall or crawling around with a flashlight for hours.
Had a place last year where everything looked fine on the surface, but a pro with a thermal camera found a slow leak behind the shower wall. Saved me a ton of money and hassle catching it early. Yeah, inspections aren’t cheap, but neither is replacing a rotted subfloor or dealing with mold remediation.
If your plumbing’s older, I’d say get a pro in every couple years, minimum. For newer stuff, maybe stretch it out, but don’t skip it entirely. DIY is great for peace of mind, but it’s not a substitute for someone who knows where the skeletons hide.
