Thermal cameras are a cool tool, no doubt, but honestly, for most folks they're probably overkill unless you're dealing with chronic mystery leaks or you just like gadgets. I've used them on the job and they do catch cold spots behind walls—great for finding pipe sweats or hidden drips. But nine times out of ten, those cheap moisture alarms do the trick for early warnings. I always tell people to check under sinks and around water heaters by hand every couple months too... sometimes your nose will pick up musty smells before any tech does. Still, if you've got access to a thermal cam, it's a fun way to play detective.
- Totally agree, those moisture alarms are underrated—cheap and effective.
- I’m all for the “sniff test” too... caught a slow leak under my bathroom sink that way before it got ugly.
- Thermal cams are neat, but yeah, not really necessary unless you’re chasing something stubborn or just love gadgets.
- Regular checks and a flashlight go a long way—sometimes the old-school ways work best.
- Just don’t ignore even tiny signs of moisture. A little caution now saves a lot of hassle later.
I get the appeal of moisture alarms and the sniff test, but honestly, I think people underestimate how sneaky leaks can be. I had a pinhole leak behind my fridge that didn’t smell at all and was just barely damp—missed it for months until the baseboard started warping. Flashlight checks are great, but unless you’re moving appliances and looking behind/under stuff, you might still miss things.
Thermal cams seem like overkill for most folks, but I borrowed one from a friend once and it actually picked up a cold spot in my wall that turned out to be a slow drip from an upstairs bathroom. Not saying everyone needs to go out and buy one, but if you’ve got a stubborn mystery or just want peace of mind, it’s worth seeing if you can rent or borrow one.
Bottom line, I think it’s about being nosy—look where you normally wouldn’t. Open up cabinets, check behind toilets, peek under sinks even if nothing smells off. Those little signs (like warped wood or a random cold patch) matter way more than most people realize.
Title: How do you spot hidden water leaks before they get worse?
I’ve been burned by sneaky leaks more times than I’d like to admit—once had a tenant swear there was “no way” anything was wrong, only for me to find a slow drip had turned the subfloor into mush under their bathroom cabinet. Totally agree, the sniff test is not enough.
Here’s my usual routine: every couple months, I do what I call the “paranoid landlord crawl.” That means pulling out the fridge and washer (ugh), running a hand along all the pipes under sinks, and checking for any soft spots or discoloration on floors and baseboards. I keep a cheap moisture meter handy—nothing fancy, but it catches stuff my eyes miss. And yeah, if you can borrow or rent a thermal camera? Worth it for peace of mind, especially in older places where pipes go weird places.
One thing folks overlook is water bills. If you see a jump and can’t blame it on guests or garden hoses, it’s time to play detective. Leaks love to hide where you won’t look unless you’re nosy... or just a little obsessive like me.
Leaks love to hide where you won’t look unless you’re nosy... or just a little obsessive like me.
That’s so true—leaks are basically ninjas. I had one behind the dishwasher that only showed up as a tiny bubble in the paint on the wall next to it. Didn’t even notice until I leaned against it and my elbow went squish. Ever tried using food coloring in toilet tanks? Sometimes those slow leaks are totally silent, but the color trick makes them obvious. Curious if anyone’s found a good way to check inside walls without going full demo mode... thermal cameras help, but I always feel like I’m missing something.
