You’re not wrong—those sensors are only as good as their placement, and there’s always that one spot you miss. I’ve seen more than a few “hidden swamps” behind appliances, and it’s never pretty. The crawl-around with a flashlight might not be high-tech, but honestly, it’s still one of the best ways to catch stuff early. I tell people all the time: trust your nose and eyes, not just the gadgets.
I hear you on the eco side too. It’s kind of ironic, right? All this plastic to save water, but then what happens to the sensors when they die? Would love to see more companies step up with recycling or at least use less plastic. Until then, a little dust and elbow grease goes a long way.
Plumber on speed dial vs. plumbing apps—what's your go-to?
Totally agree about the sensors—I've tried a few, and they always seem to miss the worst leaks, especially behind the fridge or under the old water heater. Nothing beats just getting down there and checking things yourself, even if it means getting a little dirty. I’ve caught slow leaks that way before they turned into real headaches.
On the eco side, yeah, all that plastic adds up. I’ve got a drawer full of dead sensors and random parts because I can’t bring myself to just toss them. Would be nice if manufacturers made it easier to recycle or at least offered a take-back program.
Honestly, I still keep my plumber’s number handy. Apps are fine for reminders or maybe spotting a trend, but when something’s actually leaking, I want someone who knows what they’re doing on the other end of the line. Tech’s great, but it doesn’t replace experience—or a good flashlight and a bit of patience.
Plumber on speed dial vs. plumbing apps—what's your go-to?
Tech’s great, but it doesn’t replace experience—or a good flashlight and a bit of patience.
Couldn’t agree more about the flashlight. I’ve got one that’s basically an extension of my hand at this point—plus a headlamp for those “crawling under the sink” moments. Here’s my usual routine when I get that sinking feeling (pun intended) something’s leaking:
1. Grab the flashlight and paper towels. Start with the obvious spots: under sinks, behind toilets, around the water heater.
2. Check for any weird smells or dampness. Sometimes it’s just a musty towel, sometimes it’s a slow drip you’d never spot otherwise.
3. If I find anything sketchy, I’ll snap a pic and text it to my plumber. He’s used to my “is this bad?” messages by now.
I’ve tried a couple of those leak sensors too, but honestly, they just beep at me when I spill water filling the dog bowl. Still, I like having the apps for reminders—like when it’s time to flush the water heater or check the sump pump.
Wish I could recycle all the dead gadgets, though. My “tech graveyard” drawer is getting out of hand...
3. If I find anything sketchy, I’ll snap a pic and text it to my plumber.
That “tech graveyard” drawer hits home—mine’s overflowing with old leak sensors and random smart plugs. Honestly, your routine sounds spot on. I’m with you on the flashlight and headlamp combo; nothing beats actually seeing what’s going on. Leak sensors are great in theory, but like you said, they go off for every little thing. Apps are handy for reminders, but when it comes to finding a real problem, nothing replaces getting your hands dirty and checking things yourself. Keep doing what works for you—sometimes the old-school way just makes more sense.
That “tech graveyard” drawer is a universal experience, I swear. I’ve got a pile of old sensors that either beeped at dust or just straight up died after a year.
—I totally get that. I tried relying on an app once, but it kept sending me “low battery” alerts at 3am. At this point, I trust my flashlight more than any notification. Sometimes you just gotta crawl under the sink and see for yourself, even if you end up covered in cobwebs.nothing replaces getting your hands dirty and checking things yourself
