PLUMBER ON SPEED DIAL VS. PLUMBING APPS—WHAT'S YOUR GO-TO?
That’s wild about the valve snapping—I’ve had one seize up but never break off (knock on wood). I’m a bit paranoid, so if I had to pick just one thing during a quick check, it’d be the main shutoff every time. If that doesn’t work, nothing else matters in an emergency. I do have a leak sensor under the sink, but honestly, I still crawl around with a flashlight now and then. Maybe I’m old school, but tech hasn’t fully earned my trust yet... anyone else feel like the gadgets lull you into a false sense of security?
PLUMBER ON SPEED DIAL VS. PLUMBING APPS—WHAT'S YOUR GO-TO?
Maybe I’m old school, but tech hasn’t fully earned my trust yet... anyone else feel like the gadgets lull you into a false sense of security?
I totally get this. I bought my first place last year and immediately got a couple of those smart leak detectors, thinking they’d be my safety net. They’re cool, but I still find myself double-checking everything by hand. I guess I just don’t trust that an app will catch stuff before it gets bad—or that it’ll even work when I need it. Like, what if the WiFi’s down or the batteries die? I keep thinking about that.
I’ve got a plumber’s number saved, but honestly, I’m not sure how fast they’d actually show up in a real emergency. The main shutoff is my “panic button” too. First thing I checked after moving in was making sure I could find and turn it easily. It’s a little stiff, but at least it moves.
I don’t think the gadgets are useless, but they make me nervous if I rely on them too much. It’s like, yeah, the sensor will beep if there’s a leak... but then what? If I’m not home, or if it’s something major, I still need to know how to react. Maybe that’s just new homeowner anxiety talking.
I guess for me it’s a mix—tech for backup, but I still want to know the basics and have a pro’s number handy. Apps are great for reminders and maybe spotting slow leaks, but when stuff actually goes wrong, I’d rather talk to a real person. Maybe I’ll trust the gadgets more after they save me from a disaster... but until then, I’m crawling under sinks too.
I’m with you on the “don’t trust the app alone” thing.
That’s exactly it. I’ve got a couple of those sensors too, but I still check under the sinks every so often just to be sure. Had a battery die on one and didn’t notice for weeks—kinda defeats the purpose. I keep my plumber’s number handy, but honestly, half the time I end up trying to fix stuff myself first. Guess it’s a mix of stubbornness and wanting to know what’s actually going on. Tech’s nice, but I don’t think I’ll ever fully trust it to catch everything.It’s like, yeah, the sensor will beep if there’s a leak... but then what?
Plumber on speed dial vs. plumbing apps—what's your go-to?
Had a battery die on one and didn’t notice for weeks—kinda defeats the purpose.
That right there is why I’ll never rely on just tech for this stuff. I’ve got a handful of those leak sensors scattered around my rentals, and yeah, they’re a nice backup, but I still do a walk-through every couple weeks. You’d be surprised how many times I’ve caught a slow drip or a loose fitting that the sensor missed—or like you said, the battery’s dead and it’s just sitting there doing nothing.
I get the appeal of the apps and gadgets, but honestly, nothing beats just getting your hands dirty and checking things yourself. I’ve had tenants call me in a panic because their app said “possible leak detected,” and it turned out to be condensation from the AC line. On the flip side, I once found a pinhole leak under a kitchen sink that had been dripping for who knows how long, and the sensor was bone dry because the water was running down the back wall, not pooling where the sensor was.
I keep my plumber’s number saved, but I’ll admit, I’m stubborn too. If it’s a simple fix—tightening a connection, swapping out a washer—I’d rather do it myself than wait around for someone else. Saves money and you learn a thing or two along the way. But when it comes to anything behind the walls or major pipe work, I don’t mess around. That’s when the pros earn their keep.
Curious—has anyone actually had one of those smart shutoff valves save them from a disaster? I’ve looked into them, but I’m not convinced they’re worth the hassle and cost. Seems like another thing to maintain, and if it fails, you’re back to square one. Or maybe I’m just old school and set in my ways...
“Curious—has anyone actually had one of those smart shutoff valves save them from a disaster?”
Honestly, I’ve installed a handful of those smart shutoffs and, not gonna lie, most folks forget about ‘em until they get a false alarm at 2am. They’re handy if you’re out of town a lot, but batteries, WiFi drops, and hard water gunking up the valve? That stuff’s real. I still get calls for “the app says there’s a leak” and it’s just the dog knocking over the water bowl. Nothing wrong with being old school—your eyes and hands are still the best leak detectors in my book.
