I’m with you on the “don’t pay for an inspection every time” thing. Most leaks and corrosion are pretty obvious if you’re actually looking. That said, I’ve seen folks miss pinhole leaks in copper that end up costing thousands. DIY is great until it isn’t... especially with old galvanized pipes. Sometimes it’s worth the couple hundred bucks for a pro, just to sleep at night.
I totally get the temptation to just eyeball things, especially when you’re juggling a million home projects. But I’ve seen what happens when a tiny leak goes unnoticed—one client’s gorgeous hardwoods buckled from a slow drip behind the wall, and it turned into this massive renovation headache. I’m all for DIY where it makes sense, but sometimes that peace of mind is worth every penny, especially in older homes where you never really know what’s lurking behind the paint.
Had a similar situation at my old place—thought I could just keep an eye on things, but missed a slow leak under the kitchen sink. By the time I caught it, the cabinet bottom was warped and mold had started creeping in. I’m all for a solid DIY checklist (I love ticking boxes), but honestly, there’s stuff you just can’t see or hear without pro tools. Especially with older plumbing, those little issues can get expensive fast if you miss ‘em. Sometimes it’s worth bringing in someone with the right gear, even if it stings the wallet a bit.
Yeah, I hear you—those sneaky leaks are the worst. Had a pinhole in a copper pipe behind my bathroom wall once. Only clue was a faint musty smell, and by the time I tracked it down, the drywall was toast. I’m all about DIY too, but sometimes you just can’t catch everything with a flashlight and a checklist. Still, I like to do my own regular checks—look for drips, water stains, listen for odd noises—then call in the pros every couple years for the stuff I can’t see. It’s a balance, I guess.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I think DIY can catch way more than folks give it credit for.
—sure, but I found a slow leak under my kitchen sink just by poking around. Saved me a headache and some cash. I feel like regular hands-on checks pick up most issues before they get out of hand. Pros are great, but I don’t love the idea of waiting years between inspections.“sometimes you just can’t catch everything with a flashlight and a checklist”
