I hear you on the paranoia—it’s not just you. I’ve seen way too many “hidden” leaks wreck a kitchen or bathroom, and by the time it shows up on the surface, it’s usually a big mess. DIY checks are smart for the obvious stuff, but unless you’re tearing out drywall, there’s only so much you can do. I always tell clients: save the pro inspection for once every couple years, especially in older homes. It’s boring, but way less expensive than replacing cabinets or floors because of water damage.
Title: Home plumbing checkups: DIY checklist or pro inspection?
Yeah, that makes sense. I get a little paranoid about leaks too, especially since I just moved into an older place and have no clue what’s lurking behind the walls. I’ve been doing the basics—checking under sinks, looking for water stains, making sure nothing smells weird—but honestly, it feels like I’m just scratching the surface. The idea of hidden water damage is kind of terrifying.
I agree with you about pro inspections being worth it, even if it feels like overkill at first. My neighbor skipped one and ended up with a warped kitchen floor because of a slow leak behind the dishwasher. Cost him way more than an inspection would’ve. It’s not fun spending money on stuff you can’t see, but I’d rather pay for peace of mind than deal with a disaster later.
That said, I still think there’s value in doing your own checks regularly. Even if you’re not tearing out drywall, catching something early—like a tiny drip or some discoloration—can make a big difference. But yeah, there’s only so much you can do without professional tools or experience.
Guess it’s just one of those “adulting” things... boring but necessary. At least once you’ve had a pro look things over, you can relax for a while and not worry every time you hear a weird noise from the pipes.
Honestly, I’m right there with you on the paranoia—old houses are like mystery boxes when it comes to plumbing. You never know if you’re going to find a harmless drip or a full-on horror show behind the walls. I do my own checks too, but I always feel like I’m missing something, especially since pipes love to hide in the most inconvenient places.
One thing I’ve started doing is checking my water meter before and after a few hours of not using any water. If the numbers change, there’s probably a leak somewhere. Not exactly high-tech, but it’s caught a couple sneaky issues for me. Also, I’m a big fan of those little moisture alarms you can stick under sinks or behind appliances—cheap insurance, honestly.
I get the hesitation about paying for a pro, but after seeing what water damage can do (mold, warped floors, the works), I’d rather just bite the bullet every few years. Still, I wish there was a less boring way to do it... maybe a plumbing version of a metal detector? Until then, I guess it’s just part of the “fun” of home ownership.
I do my own checks too, but I always feel like I’m missing something, especially since pipes love to hide in the most inconvenient places.
Totally get this. My place is from the 1950s and I swear the pipes have a mind of their own. I’ve had a “mystery drip” in the basement for months that only shows up after heavy rain—still haven’t figured out if it’s plumbing or just weird old house stuff. The water meter trick is genius, though. I started doing that after a surprise water bill spike last year and found a tiny leak behind the washing machine. Saved me a headache.
I’m with you on the pro inspections every few years, even if it feels like overkill. Had a buddy skip it and end up with black mold under his bathroom floor... not worth the risk. Still wish there was a gadget that could just scan the walls and tell you what’s going on, like you said—a “pipe detector” would be a game changer. Until then, it’s just part of the charm (or curse?) of old houses.
Pipes really do have a knack for hiding in the weirdest spots, don’t they? I’ve lived in my 1920s place for over a decade, and I still get surprised by where water decides to show up. That “mystery drip” thing sounds all too familiar—mine was a slow trickle that only happened during snow melt, and it took me ages to realize it was actually coming from an old, capped-off pipe behind a wall. Sometimes I wonder if these houses are just testing us.
The water meter trick is underrated. I started doing it after a neighbor mentioned it, and it’s wild how much you can catch before it becomes a disaster. But I do wonder—how often do you check? I’m never sure if I’m being paranoid or just cautious. Once a month seems like overkill, but then again, I’d rather catch something early.
I hear you on the pro inspections. I used to think they were just a money grab, but after finding out my crawlspace had a slow leak that was feeding a patch of mushrooms (seriously), I’m a convert. Still, I sometimes feel like the inspectors miss stuff too, especially with these old houses where nothing is quite where it should be. Ever had one tell you everything’s fine, only to find a problem a few months later?
That “pipe detector” idea would be a dream. I’ve tried those cheap moisture meters, but they’re hit or miss. Sometimes I think the only real way to know is to wait for something to go wrong... which is kind of the worst strategy, but what else can you do? Maybe it’s just part of the deal with these old places—always a little bit of mystery, a little bit of chaos.
Curious if anyone’s actually found a gadget that works, or if we’re all just stuck with flashlights and crossed fingers.
