I get what you mean about the pipe cameras—
Honestly, I’ve had mixed results. Sometimes the footage is useless, but other times it’s saved me from tearing out way more drywall than needed. I do think it depends a lot on the camera quality and how clean the pipes are before you run it through. Have you tried flushing the line first? I know it sounds like extra work, but I’ve actually gotten clearer images that way. Still, I wouldn’t say I trust my gut over what I can see—sometimes those “borrowed time” pipes surprise you and last years longer than expected.“Every time I try one, it’s like watching an old VHS tape in a snowstorm.”
I get what you mean about the pipe cameras— Honestly, I’ve had mixed results. Sometimes the footage is useless, but other times it’s saved me from tearing out way more drywall than needed.
Honestly, I totally get the frustration with those cameras. That “old VHS tape in a snowstorm” description is spot on—sometimes it’s just a blur and you’re left guessing. I do like your idea about flushing the line first, though. I haven’t tried that yet, but it makes sense that it’d help clear up the view a bit.
I’m always worried about missing something serious, so I tend to err on the side of caution. Have you ever had a situation where the camera looked okay but there was still a hidden problem? That’s what keeps me up at night. I keep thinking, what if I trust the footage and then a pipe bursts anyway? Maybe I’m just paranoid, but the idea of water damage freaks me out.
Still, I agree—sometimes those old pipes just keep going way longer than you’d expect. It’s hard to know when to pull the trigger and replace them or just keep an eye out. I guess there’s no perfect answer, but hearing that the camera has saved you from unnecessary demo work is reassuring.
I’ve definitely had those moments where the camera footage looked fine, but a week later I found a slow leak behind a wall. It’s tough because you want to trust the tech, but sometimes it just doesn’t catch everything—especially with older galvanized or cast iron pipes. I usually look for other signs too, like water pressure drops or weird stains on the ceiling. Sometimes it’s just a gut feeling after years of dealing with this stuff. The peace of mind from replacing a sketchy section is worth it, even if the camera says it’s “okay.”
Funny how sometimes your nose or ears pick up what the camera can’t, right? Ever notice that faint musty smell before you spot a leak? I always wonder—how much do you trust your gut vs. what the tools say? I’ve seen “perfect” pipes crumble when I tapped them. How do you decide when it’s worth opening up a wall, especially if it’s just a hunch?
If I smell that musty odor or hear something off, I trust my senses more than any tool. Cameras miss stuff all the time. If you’ve got a hunch and the pipes are old, I’d say open it up. Better safe than dealing with a flood later.
