Water damage at home can be a big hassle to repair and extremely costly, especially if you’re unaware that it’s happening. When pipes burst due to old age or someone accidentally leaves the water running, such as in a clogged bathtub or sink, our reaction time is often slow, leaving the home vulnerable for flooding. In fact, water damage at home happens so frequently that it actually ranks as one of the top home insurance claims year in and year out.

So how could water damage at home be prevented or minimized? By adding leak detecting devices in areas of your home that are more susceptible for water leaks. Leak detecting devices are the true saviors when it comes to preventing water damage at home because they’ll immediately notify you of when a leak is taking place, and depending on the device, actually turn the water off to prevent a catastrophic flood from taking over your home.

Leak Detectors: Preventing Floods and Water Leaks at Home

There are a variety of devices for leak detection and flood prevention available, some of which connect directly to your plumbing while others can be placed in areas next to bathrooms, water heaters, or appliances connected to plumbing. When water is detected by these devices, they will either activate the valve to shut off the water supply or notify you via your phone or home network that there’s a water leak in a certain area so you can manually shut the water off yourself – however, some devices can do both. Some devices even have temperature sensors to help prevent pipes from freezing, which if left frozen can cause pipes to burst. But please keep in mind that in order for some of these devices to work, and for you to receive notifications of a leak, they need to be connected to a home automation system via Z-Wave or through another home network.  

Smart Leak Sensors

If you prefer a leak detecting device that’s a bit more affordable, you can always use a smart leak sensor instead. These types of devices tend to be smaller and similar to smoke or CO2 detectors because they run on long-lasting batteries. Like the other leak detector devices, they too will notify you of a water leak by sending an alert to your phone or home network when water is detected – some will even set off alarms or sirens and allow you to set the amount of water detected before an alert is sent, minimizing chances of being alerted for small water splashes or simple spills.

Do All Leak Detectors Need to Be Connected to a Home Automation System?

No, not all leak detectors need to be connected to a home automation system. Some water detection systems are totally stand-alone and will automatically shut off your home’s water supply whether you’re home or not. 

Common Culprits that Cause Leaks or Floods at Home

The following home appliances and areas are places where leaks happen the most. Water heaters and washing machines are known to be more susceptible for leaks the older they get and they’re also one of the main reasons why homeowners experience flooding. It would be a good idea to place leak detecting devices near the following:

• Water Heaters
• Refrigerators
• Dishwashers
• Ice Makers
• Bathtubs
• Toilets
• Showers
• Sinks
• Washing Machines
• Pipes
• Heating and Cooling Systems

We all live busy lives so we’re not always going to be around to notice pools of water in places of our homes where they shouldn’t be. It’s better to be prepared and start taking preventative measures to help keep water damage from occurring at home. A leak detecting device is a great way to start.

Want help finding the right leak detector for your home? Please call our toll-free number at 858-693-8887 (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific, Monday – Friday). Home Controls is always happy to offer free support and product advice.