I hear you on the “another gadget collecting dust” thing—my kitchen drawer is basically a tech graveyard. But after my 1920s pipes decided to reenact Niagara Falls behind a wall, I’m a convert. Here’s my routine: I do a quick crawlspace check every couple months (bonus: free cobweb facial), toss dye in the toilets, and let the smart detectors babysit the scary spots. They’re not magic, but they’ve caught stuff I’d never spot. For old houses, it’s like having a nosy neighbor who actually helps.
Title: Home plumbing checkups: DIY checklist or pro inspection?
That “tech graveyard” drawer hits home—mine’s a tangle of old smart bulbs and a meat thermometer that’s never seen meat. But I get where you’re coming from with the smart detectors. I’ve seen them save folks from some real headaches, especially in these older houses where the pipes have more personality than most people I know.
Your crawlspace routine sounds about right. I always tell people, if you’re willing to get a little dirty and poke around, you’ll catch a lot of issues before they turn into disasters. Had a client once who swore by the dye tablets too—caught a slow leak in the guest bath that would’ve rotted out the subfloor if she hadn’t been paying attention. Sometimes it’s the low-tech stuff that works best.
That said, I’m still a little on the fence about relying only on gadgets. They’re great for peace of mind, but I’ve seen them miss things, especially when batteries die or sensors get dusty. There’s something about actually seeing a drip or feeling dampness under a sink that no app can replace. Maybe it’s just my old-school side talking.
But honestly, your approach is solid—mix of hands-on checks and letting tech do some of the heavy lifting. For these old houses, it’s all about catching problems early, before they turn into indoor waterfalls (been there... not fun). And hey, if you can avoid calling someone like me for an emergency at 2am, you’re already winning.
Curious though—have you ever found something with those detectors that surprised you? Sometimes they pick up stuff even pros miss, which is wild.
Funny you mention the detectors catching stuff that slips by—I actually had a moisture sensor tucked behind my washer once, just as a backup. Didn’t think much of it till I got a random alert one night. Turns out the hose had just started to split and there was this slow seep—nothing you’d see unless you were crawling around back there. Would’ve missed it for sure if I was only doing the usual “feel for damp” routine. So yeah, sometimes tech does pull its weight.
But I’m with you—there’s no substitute for poking around with your own eyes and hands, especially in these old places where pipes run in weird spots and nothing’s truly level. I’ll use gadgets as extra insurance, but not my main line of defense. Also, those dye tablets are underrated. Cheap and effective, which you don’t see often these days.
Guess my take is: use both if you can swing it. Tech can catch what you miss, and vice versa. Just don’t get too comfy and skip the crawlspace checks... that’s when things bite you.
I had a similar “save” with a leak detector under a bathroom sink in one of my rentals—caught a slow drip that would’ve rotted the cabinet base if it went another week. I’m all for tech as backup, but I still do a hands-on check every few months. Old houses especially… you never know what’s lurking behind those walls. I’ll admit, I sometimes skip the crawlspace if I’m in a rush, but every time I do, I end up regretting it later. Dye tablets are clutch for toilets—cheap peace of mind.
- Totally with you on the crawlspace regret. Every time I skip it, something weird pops up later—last time it was a squirrel stash and a mystery puddle.
- Leak detectors are lifesavers, but I still trust my own eyes (and nose) more than any gadget.
- Dye tablets for toilets? Cheap, easy, and way less awkward than explaining a surprise water bill to tenants.
- I’ll add: run every faucet, even the weird little ones in basements. You’d be amazed what gets missed.
- Pro inspections are great, but honestly, half the time I find stuff they miss... or maybe I’m just paranoid from too many “surprises.”
