I hear you on the learning curve—nothing like a little water on the floor to drive a lesson home. I’ve found that older homes can be a real mixed bag, though. Sometimes you open up a wall and it’s copper, sometimes it’s ancient galvanized, and every now and then there’s a Frankenstein mix of both. That’s where I start to hesitate, especially if there’s any sign of corrosion or weird connections. Curious—do you ever check for hidden leaks after your fixes, like with a moisture meter or just by feel? I’ve caught a few slow drips that way before they turned into bigger headaches.
Honestly, I get the appeal of checking for leaks yourself—there’s a certain satisfaction in catching those sneaky drips. But I’m just not convinced that a quick feel or even a moisture meter is enough in older homes, especially with that patchwork piping you mentioned. I’ve seen beautifully renovated spaces get ruined because a slow leak went undetected behind new drywall. Sometimes it’s worth bringing in someone with the right tech to scan everything properly, especially if you value the finishes and structure. DIY is great for some stuff, but water damage can undo a lot of hard work real fast...
Had a similar situation in my old place—thought I’d caught everything with a moisture meter, but turns out there was a slow leak behind the tub wall. By the time I noticed, the subfloor was toast. Sometimes those pros with their fancy scanners really do earn their keep...
Sometimes those pros with their fancy scanners really do earn their keep...
I hear you, but I still think a lot of stuff is doable if you’re thorough. I’ve found that moisture meters only go so far—if there’s a leak behind tile or in a wall cavity, you’re basically guessing unless you open it up or have one of those thermal cameras. I usually check for soft spots around tubs and toilets every few months, but yeah, sometimes it’s just not enough. Ever tried using one of those cheap endoscope cameras? They’re not perfect, but they’ve helped me spot a slow drip once before it got ugly.
Ever tried using one of those cheap endoscope cameras? They’re not perfect, but they’ve helped me spot a slow drip once before it got ugly.
Yeah, I picked up one of those USB endoscopes off Amazon a while back. It’s kind of fiddly, but for the price, not bad at all. Caught a pinhole leak behind my shower wall—saved me from tearing out half the drywall. Still, sometimes you just can’t beat the pros’ gear. I’ll do what I can myself, but if I smell mildew and can’t find the source... that’s when I cave and call in the cavalry.
