Making sure your home’s pipes are up to code - how I do it

Leaving things open a few days is just common sense - wish more folks did it. I’ve learned the hard way that even the “pros” miss stuff, especially when they’re in a hurry. Honestly, I’d rather deal with some ugly drywall than hidden water damage down the line.

Couldn’t agree more about leaving things open. I get that it’s tempting to button everything up right away, especially if you’re living in the middle of a reno and staring at holes in the wall. But honestly, I’ve seen way too many horror stories where someone rushed to close up a wall and missed a tiny drip or a loose fitting. It’s not just about water damage, either - sometimes it’s about catching that weird noise or vibration you wouldn’t notice until after the fact.

I know some folks trust the “pros” to get it right the first time, but I’m not convinced. Even licensed plumbers can make mistakes, especially if they’re juggling multiple jobs or working late. I had a guy install a new PEX line for me last year, and I left the wall open for three days just to be sure. Good thing I did, because one of the crimp rings wasn’t seated right and started weeping overnight. If I’d patched that up right away, I’d have ended up with mold and a much bigger headache.

Ugly drywall is way easier to fix than tearing out a whole section because of hidden leaks. Plus, if you’re doing inspections yourself, you can use that time to double-check every joint and connection. I even go as far as running the water at full blast for an hour or two, just to stress test the system. Maybe it’s overkill, but after hearing stories from neighbors about pinhole leaks ruining floors, I’d rather be paranoid than sorry.

One thing I do disagree with is people who say “just trust your contractor.” Trust but verify, right? At the end of the day, you’re the one who has to live with the results. And drywall mud is cheap compared to water remediation.

Honestly, I’d rather stare at a patchy wall for a week than risk a hidden leak turning my eco-friendly insulation into a science experiment. I get the urge to tidy things up fast - been there, especially when the cat starts exploring the open studs like it’s a new jungle gym. But yeah, trust but verify is the way to go. I’ve had “pros” forget to tighten a fitting and only caught it because I was nosy and left things open. Drywall dust is annoying, but mold remediation? That’s a whole different level of pain (and expense).

Drywall dust is annoying, but mold remediation? That’s a whole different level of pain (and expense).

Totally agree - mold is a nightmare. I’ve left walls open for days just to double-check everything’s bone dry before closing up. Curious, do you use any moisture meters or just go by feel? I’ve had mixed luck with those cheap ones from the hardware store. Sometimes I wonder if it’s overkill, but after one bad leak, I’m paranoid.

I hear you on the paranoia - once you’ve dealt with mold, you never want to risk it again. I used to just go by touch and visual inspection, but after a slab leak a few years back, I started using a pro-grade moisture meter (not the $20 ones from the big box stores). The cheap ones gave me false positives all the time, especially near corners or metal studs. The pricier meters are more accurate, but honestly, nothing beats patience and airflow. I’ll run fans and dehumidifiers for days if I have to, even if the meter says it’s dry.

One thing I’ve noticed: people get in a rush to close up walls, especially when they’re tired of living in a construction zone. That’s when mistakes happen. I’d rather be the guy who waits an extra day than the one tearing out moldy drywall six months later. It might seem like overkill, but in my experience, it’s worth it.

Couldn’t agree more about not rushing to close things up. I’ve seen too many folks get impatient, slap the drywall back up, and then six months later they’re calling me about that “musty smell.” I always tell my tenants: you’d rather live with a fan humming for a week than pay for another round of demo and repairs down the road.

Funny thing, after my first big leak, I started labeling every shutoff valve in my rentals and leaving a cheap moisture meter in each place. Not as accurate as the pro ones, but at least it gets people thinking before they ignore a wet spot. Still, you’re right - those meters can be all over the place, especially if you’ve got old wiring or metal in the walls.

Curious, do you do regular pipe inspections or just wait until something goes wrong? I’ve debated having a plumber come out every few years, but sometimes I feel like it’s just paying for peace of mind...