The “flashlight and hope” method has saved me more than once, but yeah, there was that one time I missed a slow leak behind the dishwasher... ended up with a soft spot in the subfloor. Live and learn, right?
That’s the thing—sometimes all the gadgets in the world can’t beat just paying attention and trusting your gut. I’ve had similar luck with moisture meters; they’re helpful, but not foolproof. Missing a slow leak is rough, but catching most issues early really does save you from bigger headaches down the line. Your approach sounds pretty thorough to me. Nobody catches everything every time, but being proactive puts you way ahead of most folks.
sometimes all the gadgets in the world can’t beat just paying attention and trusting your gut
Totally get this. I’ve had those “trust your gut” moments where something just felt off, even though my tools said everything was fine. Sometimes it’s a weird smell or a faint sound you can’t quite place. Missed a slow leak under my bathroom sink once—didn’t spot it until my socks started squishing. Guess we’re all in the “live and learn” club... at least we’re catching most of the big stuff before it turns into a disaster.
Yeah, I hear you. Sometimes the best “tool” is just noticing when something feels off. I’ve had sensors miss slow leaks too—nothing like a wet sock to get your attention. Trusting your instincts goes a long way, even with all the tech out there.
- Totally get what you mean about instincts—sometimes you just *know* something’s off, even if the gadgets say all clear.
- I’m new to this, but here’s what I’ve started doing:
- Check under sinks for any dampness or weird smells
- Run hands along pipes (yep, sometimes it’s gross)
- Watch for water stains on ceilings or walls
- Listen for drips at night when it’s quiet
- I still plan to get a pro in once a year, just in case I miss something. But honestly, my nose and eyes have caught more than my leak detector so far...
But honestly, my nose and eyes have caught more than my leak detector so far...
- Totally relate to this. My “designer nose” has sniffed out musty corners long before any tech did.
- I’d add: peek behind toilets (those sneaky leaks love to hide there).
- Also, check baseboards for warping—sometimes water damage shows up in the trim first.
- I’m all for pros once a year, but I swear, half the time it’s just me crawling around with a flashlight and a hunch.
