Handy shortcuts for finding plumbing info quick

I stick with the mirror and flashlight. Less drama, less mess.

- Tried that, but honestly, my mirror just fogs up or I can't get the angle right.
- Got a mid-range camera off Amazon - dropped it in a puddle, still works fine.
- Not saying they're all great, but some are tougher than they look.
- For me, seeing exactly what's going on saves time and headaches.

For me, seeing exactly what's going on saves time and headaches.

I get where you're coming from. I used to swear by the mirror and flashlight combo, but after a few too many times fogging up the glass or dropping the flashlight behind the pipes, I caved and picked up one of those cheap inspection cameras. Didn’t expect much, but it’s actually held up - dropped it in the crawlspace once, still ticking.

If you’re on a budget, there are some surprisingly decent options out there. Just make sure it’s got a flexible cable and a half-decent light. The image quality isn’t always perfect, but it beats contorting yourself under the sink for half an hour. I still keep the mirror around for quick checks, but for anything more involved, the camera’s just less hassle.

One thing I’d add - if you’re worried about water, wrap the camera end in a bit of plastic wrap. Not fancy, but it’s saved me from frying mine more than once. Sometimes the low-tech fixes are the best.

One thing I’d add - if you’re worried about water, wrap the camera end in a bit of plastic wrap. Not fancy, but it’s saved me from frying mine more than once.

Honestly, I’m always a little nervous about mixing electronics and plumbing, so the plastic wrap tip is spot-on. I’d just say, double-check that it’s sealed tight - water finds its way in the weirdest places. Also, if you’re poking around near wiring, don’t forget to kill the power first. Might sound overcautious, but a little prep beats a nasty shock or a fried gadget any day.

I’m with you on being extra careful - last time I tried to “just take a quick look” under the sink, I ended up with a wet sleeve and a near miss with a power strip. Plastic wrap is smart, but I’d honestly go for a ziplock bag if you’ve got one. Just feels a bit more secure, you know? And yeah, water and electricity are like the worst combo... I’d rather be paranoid than end up with a fried camera or worse.

Plastic wrap is smart, but I’d honestly go for a ziplock bag if you’ve got one. Just feels a bit more secure, you know? And yeah, water and electricity are like the worst combo... I’d rather be paranoid than end up with a fried camera or worse.

Ziplock’s not a bad call, but honestly, if you’re poking around under the sink and there’s any chance of water near outlets or power strips, first step should always be to unplug whatever’s down there. Doesn’t matter how careful you are - water finds a way. I’ve seen folks try to “just take a quick look” and end up with a lot more than a wet sleeve. Once had a guy call me after he shorted out his dishwasher and tripped half the breakers in his kitchen because he didn’t bother to check for live wires before fiddling with the supply line.

Here’s my usual process for checking under-sink leaks:
1. Clear out everything first - cleaners, bags, whatever. Makes it easier to spot drips.
2. Lay down an old towel or two. Catches small leaks and gives you something dry to kneel on.
3. Use your phone flashlight instead of bringing in extra gear that could get wet.
4. If you need to take photos or video, put your phone in a sandwich bag (ziplock works) but leave the camera lens uncovered if possible - plastic can blur things up.
5. Always check for outlets or power strips nearby and unplug them before starting.

I get wanting to protect your gear, but safety comes first every time. Curious - when you’re looking for plumbing info online, do you usually go straight to YouTube tutorials or do you prefer written guides? I find some videos skip steps or gloss over stuff that ends up being important when you’re actually under the sink getting your hands dirty...