Anyone ever tried those moisture meters to check if it’s actually dry inside the wall? I always wonder if I’m being too paranoid about hidden mold or not paranoid enough...
- Had a similar panic after my first leak—ended up ripping out a chunk of drywall just to “make sure.”
- Bought a cheap moisture meter off Amazon. Not sure how accurate it was, but it did help calm my nerves a bit.
- Still kinda paranoid, though. I swear I can smell mold even when no one else does.
- Fans and dehumidifiers help, but if it smells funky after, I feel like it’s not worth risking it.
- Maybe I’m overthinking, but hidden mold just freaks me out.
Moisture meters are a mixed bag, honestly. I’ve used a couple at work—some are decent, some just give random numbers if you’re not careful with the settings or probe placement. If you’re using one, make sure it’s set for drywall and not wood or concrete, or the reading’s basically useless. I get the paranoia though... hidden mold is no joke, but tearing out walls every time isn’t practical either. Usually, if you dry things out fast and there’s no lingering musty smell after a few days, you’re probably okay. But yeah, trust your nose more than a $20 gadget sometimes.
But yeah, trust your nose more than a $20 gadget sometimes.
Ever had a situation where you thought it was dry but mold popped up weeks later? I always wonder if there’s a “safe” amount of time to wait before patching things back up. Does anyone use those humidity sensors in the wall cavity, or is that overkill?
Yeah, I’ve definitely had that happen—thought everything was bone dry, then a weird smell creeps in weeks later. Mold’s sneaky like that. I usually wait at least a few days with fans running, but honestly, sometimes it still feels like a gamble. I’ve never used those humidity sensors in the wall, but I get why folks would. Maybe it’s overkill for small leaks, but after a big burst? Can’t blame anyone for wanting extra peace of mind.
Fans are great, but yeah, mold’s a ninja—shows up where you least expect it. I’ve seen folks rip out half a wall just ‘cause of a lingering smell, only to find a patch the size of a quarter. Those humidity sensors can be overkill for a drip, but after a full-on pipe burst? Honestly, I’d rather be safe than tearing up drywall later. Water has a way of hiding... and it’s never in a good spot.
