A water leak alarm just saved my tail, and I’m a plumber!
While my family was hanging out in the basement, we heard an audible alarm sound. When we went to investigate the noise, we found quite a bit of water running down the sheetrock wall and mud seeping into the basement shower. The water main, between the foundation and the outside wall, had broken! The alarm noise was a leak detector notifying us there was a problem.
Thank goodness for Leak Detectors – small but mighty! Early detection helped reduce the damage to our home. And they can help reduce damage to yours by alerting you when there is a leak detected.
An undetected leak (even a small one over time) can cause:
- structural problems
- foundation issues
- mold growth
- pest infestation
- potentially decrease your home’s resell value
“About one in 50 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year,” according to the Insurance Information Institute.
The most common causes of water leaks are:
- excess water pressure
- clogs
- broken seals
- loose connections
- corrosion
There are many places throughout your home where drips & leaks can happen.
Common Leak Areas:
While you can go overboard placing leak detectors everywhere, it’s good to place them at least in areas where leaks are common:
- near water heaters
- under each sink
- near washing machine hoses
- in the basement
High Risk Leak Area:
You may want to also think about detecting leaks in high risk areas:
- main supply line (like in my case)
- under concrete foundations
- where pipes might freeze
- near pumps
There are numerous leak detection sensors on the market.
Many are DIY while others require professional installation. The one that saved us was purchased for around $12 (maybe it was $15), but I’ve seen units over a thousand dollars. The more expensive ones can monitor leaks underground – like root intrusion in sewer pipes and leaks under concrete slabs.
While our sensor alerted us with a high-decibel alarm (similar to a smoke detector), there are leak detectors that will send notifications to your phone.
Some sensors can automatically shut-off the water main if a leak or irregular pressure is detected. Since leaks can happen at any time, even when you’re away, a sensor that automatically turns off your water supply could prevent extensive damage.
Being alerted as soon as a leak starts can save you a great deal of trouble and expense later on. Leak Detection Sensors – if you don’t have them in your home, I can’t stress enough how important it is to install them ASAP!
Water leak? Don’t be overwhelmed, Trinity Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency service & support. We’re dedicated to providing professional services at affordable rates.
Want to learn more about specific models of leak detectors? Wirecutter did extensive testing and chose the top performers.
