I get what you mean about not fully trusting the tech. I’ve seen a slow drip under a solar water heater go unnoticed for months because the sensor didn’t pick up on it—ended up with a rusted fitting and a much bigger job than just replacing a washer. It’s easy to think those alerts mean you’re all set, but I still think a quick manual check once in a while is worth the hassle. Sometimes you just gotta see it with your own eyes... Tech’s great, but it’s not perfect.
Skipping a year of upkeep is where things usually go sideways, honestly. I’ve been called out to jobs where folks relied on those sensors and skipped the hands-on checks—by the time I got there, it was more than just a leaky washer. Sometimes it’s a full-on corroded pipe or even water damage to the roof. Tech’s handy, but nothing beats getting up there and poking around yourself every now and then. It’s a pain, but it saves you from bigger headaches down the road.
Skipped a year once because life got busy and, well, the “it’ll be fine” optimism set in. Fast forward to winter and I’m up on the roof in the rain, cursing at a cracked valve and a bird’s nest wedged right where it shouldn’t be. Sensors didn’t catch any of it—just kept saying “all good.” Never trusted that little green light again. Manual checks might be a hassle, but they’ve saved me more than a few times since.
That green light can be pretty misleading, right? I’ve seen a few systems where the sensors only check for flow or temp, but miss physical blockages or leaks. Did you notice any drop in efficiency before you found the valve and nest, or was it just a total surprise when you went up there?
That green light can be pretty misleading, right? I’ve seen a few systems where the sensors only check for flow or temp, but miss physical blockages or leaks.
That “green light” is like a false sense of security sometimes. I totally agree with you—just because the indicator says it’s all good doesn’t mean there isn’t something lurking up there. I’ve seen a unit go months before anyone noticed a slow leak, just because the sensors weren’t picking it up. It’s wild. Honestly, I’d rather be overly cautious and check things out than trust a single light. Regular checks save headaches, even if you think the system’s running fine.
