I get the appeal of those gadgets, but man, some of that stuff is pricey. I usually just check under sinks and around toilets for damp spots, maybe peek at the water meter if I’m paranoid. Not sure I trust my “sniff test” either, though...
Title: Home plumbing checkups: DIY checklist or pro inspection?
Honestly, you’re not wrong—some of those leak detectors and smart gadgets are way overpriced for what they do. I’ve been through a few remodels and still rely on the basics most of the time. Here’s how I usually approach it:
- Visual checks under sinks, behind toilets, and around the water heater—just like you mentioned.
- Feel for any soft spots in flooring near fixtures (especially if you’ve got vinyl or laminate).
- Run your hand along pipes to catch condensation or slow leaks.
- Watch the water meter when everything’s off. If it’s spinning, something’s up.
The sniff test isn’t totally useless, but yeah, it’s not foolproof. Sometimes you’ll smell musty stuff before you see anything, but other times leaks hide out for ages. I once had a pinhole leak behind a wall that only showed up as a tiny bubble in the paint months later... no smell at all.
If you’re worried about missing something, there are some mid-range moisture meters that aren’t too expensive—nothing fancy, just enough to check drywall or subfloor if you suspect trouble. Not essential, but handy if you’re doing a lot of your own repairs.
Honestly, most problems get caught early with regular checks like you’re already doing. The gadgets are nice but not a must-have unless you’ve had issues before or travel a lot. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is. And don’t beat yourself up over not having all the tech; half the time it’s just another thing to maintain anyway...
I’m with you on the gadgets—some of those things seem more like “nice to have” than “actually useful.” I’m about halfway through my first big reno and honestly, the best tool I’ve had so far is a flashlight and a willingness to crawl under stuff I’d rather not. The water meter trick is gold, though. I didn’t even know about that until I started poking around forums like this.
I’ll admit, I got a little paranoid after finding a slow drip under my kitchen sink that must’ve been going for weeks. No smell, no obvious water, just this weird warped spot in the cabinet. Pulled everything out and there it was… tiny leak from the supply line. If I hadn’t been reorganizing, who knows how long it would’ve kept going.
I looked at those moisture meters but ended up just using my hand and a cheap IR thermometer for now. If something feels off, I’ll poke at it. If it’s cold or damp where it shouldn’t be, I dig deeper. Maybe not super scientific but it’s working so far.
Honestly, I think unless you’ve got really old pipes or you travel a ton, regular checks and just paying attention is enough for most folks. The only time I’d call in a pro is if I found something weird—like water stains on the ceiling or if the water meter’s spinning and I can’t find the source. Otherwise, it feels like overkill.
Funny thing is, half the time when I do freak out and call someone, it ends up being something dumb like condensation from the AC line or a loose washer. Maybe that’s just beginner luck (or lack of skill), but it makes me feel better about sticking to basics for now.
Anyway, trust your gut and don’t get too sucked into buying every new gadget. Most leaks aren’t that sneaky if you’re looking for them… except when they are, but then you’ll probably see other signs before it gets bad.
Couldn’t agree more about the gadgets—some of those “smart” leak detectors are just overkill unless you’ve got a mansion or travel for months at a time. I’ve found that just running your hands along pipes and checking under sinks every few weeks catches 90% of the issues. The water meter trick is underrated, though. I do think it’s worth popping off access panels behind tubs or showers once in a while, even if it’s a pain. Found a slow drip that way once—would’ve been a nightmare if I’d waited for stains to show up. Honestly, most leaks announce themselves if you’re even a little nosy.
I hear you on the access panels—those things are a pain, but man, they can save you from a world of hurt. I once ignored a faint musty smell behind our guest bath for weeks, thinking it was just old towels. Ended up being a tiny drip from a loose fitting. If I’d waited for visible damage, it would’ve been way worse. Do you ever use food coloring in the toilet tank to check for slow leaks? That’s one of those old-school tricks my dad swore by, and it’s actually caught a couple sneaky leaks for me.
