Home plumbing checkups: DIY checklist or pro inspection?
Man, I’ve been down that road—thought I could outsmart a slow drip under the kitchen sink, only to end up with a warped cabinet and a lot of regret. I totally agree there’s a sweet spot between doing the basics yourself and knowing when to call in backup. As for those smart leak detectors, I actually put a couple in after a friend’s basement flooded while he was on vacation. They’re not magic, but they did catch a tiny leak by my water heater before it got ugly. Not a cure-all, but honestly, they’re worth it for the peace of mind alone.
I hear you on the warped cabinet—been there, done that, and my wallet still remembers. I’m all for tackling the obvious stuff myself (tightening fittings, checking for drips), but once things get mysterious or involve anything behind a wall, I’m out. Those smart leak detectors are cool, but I still get paranoid and poke around under sinks every month or so. Maybe it’s overkill, but I’d rather feel a little silly than deal with a surprise indoor swimming pool.
I still get paranoid and poke around under sinks every month or so. Maybe it’s overkill, but I’d rather feel a little silly than deal with a surprise indoor swimming pool.
I get that. Once had a tiny drip under the bathroom sink that I ignored for a bit—big mistake. Ended up replacing half the vanity. Now, I run through my own checklist every couple months: feel for dampness around shutoff valves, check the P-trap for any signs of corrosion, and run a tissue along joints to spot sneaky leaks. If I hear hissing or see water stains on the wall, that’s when I call in the pros. But honestly, a little paranoia saves a lot of hassle down the line.
If I hear hissing or see water stains on the wall, that’s when I call in the pros.
I’m with you on the “better safe than sorry” approach. Had a slow leak behind my dishwasher once—didn’t notice until the floorboards started warping. Now, I do a quick check every time I clean under the sink: run my hand along the pipes, look for any greenish corrosion, and sniff for that musty smell. I’ll admit, sometimes I wonder if I’m being too cautious, but like you said, “a little paranoia saves a lot of hassle down the line.” It’s wild how fast a tiny drip can turn into a weekend project...
I totally get the urge to check under the sink every time—I do the same, and sometimes it feels a bit much. But honestly, those little checks can catch stuff before it gets out of hand. One thing I’ve started doing is looking at my water meter before and after a few hours with no water use. If it moves, there’s probably a leak somewhere. Also, if you’re into eco-friendly stuff, even tiny leaks waste a surprising amount of water over time... kind of makes me wish more folks did these quick inspections.
