I get your point about pros catching hidden issues, but honestly, hiring someone every 2-3 years feels a bit excessive to me. I've been renovating my first older home for about a year now, and while I agree that pros have specialized gear, I've found that investing in a few decent tools and learning some basics online can go a long way. Sure, I might miss something subtle, but if you're attentive and proactive, DIY checks can catch most problems before they escalate.
Plus, from my experience, pros sometimes flag minor stuff as major issues—maybe unintentionally—but it can lead to unnecessary stress and expenses. I'd rather save the money from frequent inspections and put it toward actual upgrades or repairs when they're genuinely needed. Of course, if something feels off or beyond my comfort zone, I'll call in a pro. But routine inspections every couple of years? Seems like overkill to me...
I see where you're coming from, but I think there's a middle ground here. I do most stuff myself too, and yeah, you can definitely catch a lot by just keeping an eye out. But plumbing's one of those areas where some hidden issues can sneak by even if you're pretty thorough.
A good compromise might be doing your own regular checks but having a pro inspection less frequently—maybe every 5 years or so. I've found that works pretty well for me. I handle basic stuff like checking under sinks, testing shut-off valves, and inspecting exposed pipes annually. But every few years, I'll get a plumber in just to scope the main drain line and check stuff behind walls or in crawl spaces that I can't easily access or might overlook.
That way, you're still saving money most of the time, but you get some peace of mind knowing you're not missing anything major. It's not perfect, but it's worked out pretty well for me so far...
Yeah, that's a decent balance. I mostly DIY too, but after missing a slow leak behind drywall once (total nightmare...), I'm leaning toward occasional pro checks. Maybe every 3-4 years instead of 5? Just to be safe.
Yeah, every 3-4 years sounds pretty reasonable to me. I live in an older house (built in the 1920s), and trust me, plumbing surprises are NOT fun... learned that the hard way when a tiny drip turned into a full-blown ceiling disaster. DIY is great for regular upkeep, but having a pro take a peek occasionally can save you from those sneaky hidden leaks. Peace of mind is worth it, imo.
Totally with you on that one—older houses have charm, but man, the plumbing can be a ticking time bomb. I've flipped a few older homes myself, and trust me, you never really know what's lurking behind those walls until you have a pro dig in. DIY is awesome for quick fixes and cosmetic stuff, but it's easy to miss something small that ends up costing big bucks later. A periodic pro inspection is like insurance—might feel unnecessary until it saves your wallet (and sanity).
