Hot glue on copper pipe... that’s a new one for me too. I’ve seen some wild “fixes” over the years, but that’s definitely creative (if not exactly safe). I totally get where you’re coming from about leak sensors. I’ve got a couple under my sinks and by the water heater, but honestly, I treat them more like smoke alarms—good for catching the small stuff before it turns into a disaster, but not something I’d trust to save me from a full-on burst.
I’m with you on the reaction time issue. Even with an alert, if you’re not home or you sleep through it, what good does it do? And those auto shutoff valves sound great in theory, but I’ve heard stories about them failing when WiFi drops or the batteries die. Makes me nervous to rely on tech alone.
Having a plumber’s number handy just feels safer. Maybe it’s old-school, but after seeing what happens when people try to DIY with whatever’s lying around (I once found a leak “fixed” with electrical tape and a zip tie), I’d rather pay for peace of mind than risk another flood.
Plumber on speed dial vs. plumbing apps—what's your go-to?
Hot glue, zip ties, duct tape... I’ve seen it all, and none of it ever holds for long. I get the appeal of all these new gadgets and apps, but honestly, I’ve learned the hard way not to trust tech with my rentals’ plumbing. Had a “smart” shutoff valve once that decided to close itself in the middle of the night—no leak, just a glitch. Tenants woke up to no water and a lot of angry texts. That was enough for me.
Leak sensors are fine for a heads-up, but like you said, if you’re not around, it’s just a notification you’ll see after the damage is done. And batteries always seem to die at the worst possible time. I keep a couple around, but I don’t rely on them.
I’d rather have a plumber I trust on speed dial than a dozen apps. When something goes wrong, I want a human who knows what they’re doing, not an app telling me to “check my connection.” Maybe it’s old-school, but I sleep better knowing I can call someone who’ll actually show up and fix the problem.
I’ve had tenants try their own “fixes” too—one guy wrapped a leaking pipe with plastic wrap and then covered it in painter’s tape. Looked like a science project gone wrong. Ended up costing more to fix the mess than if he’d just called me in the first place.
Guess I’m just not ready to hand over my plumbing to WiFi and batteries. Give me a good plumber and a roll of real pipe tape any day.
I get where you’re coming from—tech can be flaky, and nothing beats a plumber who actually shows up. But I keep wondering if there’s a middle ground. Like, could smart sensors help catch slow leaks before they become disasters, especially in spots you rarely check? I’m all for hands-on fixes, but I also hate wasting water. Anyone tried a combo approach that actually works, or is it just more hassle than it’s worth?
I totally get the hesitation with tech—sometimes it feels like just another thing to troubleshoot. But I actually installed a leak sensor under my kitchen sink after a small drip went unnoticed for weeks. It pinged my phone when things got damp, and honestly, it saved me from a bigger mess. Still needed a plumber to fix the pipe, but at least I caught it early. For me, the combo’s been worth it so far... just gotta remember to check the batteries every now and then.
Honestly, catching that leak early is half the battle—nice work. Those sensors can be a real game changer, especially for spots you don’t check often. Just a heads up: I’ve seen folks forget about battery swaps and end up with dead sensors... maybe set a reminder on your phone? Either way, tech plus a good plumber’s number isn’t a bad combo at all.
