Totally get where you’re coming from with moisture meters. I tried one during a kitchen reno and it kept freaking out over a patch of old lath and plaster—turned out it was just picking up on the metal mesh behind the wall. My go-to is a flashlight and a mirror for tight spots, plus running my hand along baseboards for any weird cold spots or softness. If I can’t figure it out after that, I’ll call in a pro, but honestly, half the time it’s just about slowing down and paying attention to the little clues.
Title: Home plumbing checkups: DIY checklist or pro inspection?
That’s actually a great point about slowing down and just noticing the stuff that feels “off.” I’ll admit, I get pretty fixated on the gadgets—moisture meters, IR thermometers, the whole nine yards—because I want to catch things before they turn into expensive headaches. But you’re right, sometimes the old-school methods work just as well, and you don’t end up chasing your tail over a false alarm caused by something like a metal mesh.
Here’s my thing: I’m always torn between doing a full DIY once-over and calling in a pro for plumbing checks. Like, I’ll check under every sink for drips, look for water stains on the ceiling, run every faucet just to see if the pressure’s weird… but then I start second-guessing myself. Is that tiny bit of corrosion on the shutoff valve a problem? Should I be worried about that faint musty smell in the laundry room? Or am I just being paranoid because I watched too many home disaster videos?
I’m also curious if anyone’s found a budget-friendly way to check behind walls without buying a $200 inspection camera. I tried the old “knock and listen” trick but all my walls sound the same—hollow and kind of depressing. I’ve thought about getting one of those cheap borescopes that hook up to your phone, but are they even worth it, or is it just another gadget collecting dust in the toolbox?
Honestly, my biggest worry is missing something small that turns into a big leak later. But if I call in a plumber every year, that adds up fast. Maybe there’s a happy medium? Like, do the basics myself but bring in a pro every few years unless something seems off. Or am I just overthinking because, well, it’s my house and I don’t want to wake up to an indoor swimming pool one day?
I’ve got a few rentals, and honestly, I do the basics myself—look for leaks, check valves, run the water, that kind of thing. But after missing a slow leak behind a wall (cost me way more than an annual inspection would’ve), I now bring in a pro every couple years. Those cheap borescopes work for quick peeks, but they’re not magic. For peace of mind, I’d rather spend a bit upfront than deal with drywall and mold later.
I get the peace of mind angle, but honestly, I’ve always felt like pro inspections are a bit overkill unless there’s an obvious issue. I’ve caught most leaks just by being nosy and checking under sinks or around toilets every few months. Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but spending hundreds for someone to poke around feels like money I could use elsewhere. Those borescopes aren’t perfect, but they’re better than nothing if you’re careful. Guess it depends how much risk you’re willing to take...
I’ve caught most leaks just by being nosy and checking under sinks or around toilets every few months.
Same here, honestly. I keep a flashlight in the junk drawer just for poking around under sinks and behind the washing machine. I get why people want the “peace of mind” from a pro, but unless you’ve got ancient pipes or something’s acting up, it feels like overkill. I’d rather spend that cash on a new shutoff valve or a better plunger—stuff I know I’ll actually use. Those borescopes are handy, too, if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty.
