I totally get the flashlight method—my parents did the same. But honestly, I missed a slow drip under our bathroom sink for weeks because I just didn’t think to check that far back. Do you have a checklist or certain spots you always look at, or is it more of a “when I remember” thing?
Honestly, I’m kind of skeptical about checklists. I try to remember the obvious spots—under sinks, behind toilets—but stuff still slips by me. Last week I found a leak only because my socks got wet. Maybe I just need to be more paranoid?
Last week I found a leak only because my socks got wet.
That’s happened to me more times than I’d like to admit. I always *think* I’m being thorough, but there’s always that one spot I forget. The worst was when I missed a slow drip behind the washing machine for who knows how long—only noticed it because the wall started to feel soft. Made me wonder if checklists are enough or if I just need to slow down and double-check everything.
Do you ever use moisture sensors or alarms? I’ve been thinking about putting a few in the spots I always forget, but not sure if that’s overkill. Sometimes I feel like being “paranoid” is just another word for being prepared, especially after dealing with water damage once... Is it even possible to catch every little thing before it becomes a problem?
Sometimes I feel like being “paranoid” is just another word for being prepared, especially after dealing with water damage once...
I totally get that. After moving in, I thought I was being super diligent—had a checklist, checked under every sink, even peeked at the water heater. Still missed a tiny drip under the kitchen cabinet that warped the wood before I caught it. It’s like leaks have a sixth sense for hiding in the one spot you skip.
I’ve actually started using moisture alarms in a couple of places (behind the washer and under the bathroom sink). They’re not expensive and honestly, they give me some peace of mind. Maybe it’s overkill, but after seeing how fast water can do damage, I’d rather be “paranoid” than pay for repairs.
That said, I don’t think it’s possible to catch every single thing before it becomes a problem. There’s always going to be something you miss—just part of owning a house, I guess. But slowing down and double-checking does help... at least until your socks get wet again.
I get the urge to double-check everything, but honestly, I think there’s a point where you can go overboard with gadgets and still miss the basics. Moisture alarms are handy, but they won’t help if you’ve got a slow leak inside a wall or under the slab. Sometimes just keeping an eye on your water bill for unexplained spikes catches stuff tech can’t. I’d rather focus on regular inspections and knowing where my shutoff valves are than rely too much on alarms. Just my two cents—tech’s great, but it’s not a silver bullet.
