I've never bothered with moisture sensors myself—seems like just another gadget to worry about. Instead, I invested a bit more upfront in quality plumbing fittings and took extra time sealing everything properly. Been leak-free for years now. Not knocking sensors entirely, but sometimes simpler is better...especially if you're meticulous with the install. Just my experience though, your mileage may vary.
Good points there—quality fittings and careful sealing are definitely key. I skipped the sensors too, mostly because I figured they'd just be another thing to troubleshoot later. But I do wonder sometimes...has anyone actually had a moisture sensor catch a leak early enough to save them real headaches? Or do they usually just beep annoyingly at minor humidity? Curious if they're worth reconsidering at some point.
"I skipped the sensors too, mostly because I figured they'd just be another thing to troubleshoot later."
Haha, I totally get that logic. I've installed moisture sensors in a few custom builds over the years, and honestly, it's been kind of a mixed bag. Most of the time they just beep annoyingly when someone spills a tiny bit of water under the sink or when there's a humid day and condensation forms. I had one homeowner call me in a panic because their sensor was going off non-stop...turned out their kid had splashed some water around while washing dishes. False alarm city.
But to be fair, there was one time when a client had a slow leak behind their dishwasher. It was hidden enough that they probably wouldn't have noticed it for weeks (or even months), but the sensor caught it early. Saved them from what could've been some pretty nasty cabinet damage and mold growth down the road. So, in that case at least, it paid off big-time.
I guess it really depends on your comfort level and how closely you keep an eye on things under your sink. If you're someone who checks regularly anyway, sensors might not be worth the hassle or expense. But if you're like most of us who rarely peek under there unless there's already a puddle forming...then maybe they're worth reconsidering at some point.
Personally, I'm still on the fence about recommending them universally—sometimes they're more trouble than they're worth—but I definitely see the appeal after witnessing that dishwasher incident firsthand.
I hear ya on the sensor thing—sometimes simpler really is better. Honestly, I've found that just making a habit of checking under the sink every now and then (like when grabbing cleaning supplies) works pretty well. But after reading your dishwasher story, I'm kinda reconsidering...maybe sensors aren't totally useless after all. Might be worth it for peace of mind alone, even if they do beep at random times. Decisions, decisions...
"Might be worth it for peace of mind alone, even if they do beep at random times."
Yeah, I get the appeal, but honestly, sensors always seemed like an extra expense to me. When my sink leaked last year, I just put a cheap plastic tray underneath—caught the drips fine and saved me some cash. Worked like a charm...
