RMS - Leak Protection Peace of Mind
We have all heard of the homeowner who had a plumbing, appliance, mechanical equipment overflow and the level damage that it can cause if left unattended. What if we could minimize the damage from these leaks?
Water sensors are available that not only sense a leak and send you a message to your phone, but they also automatically turn off the main water line reducing the damage by minimizing the water flow.
We can install flood sensors in the basement, laundry room, or any other location where water damage may occur.
To your home, water is cancer, but it can be greatly reduced with proper proactive technologies.
If you would like further information on how to employ these technologies in better protecting your home, please contact our office.
Where to Use Leak Detectors
Water damage can rise from toilets, appliances, failing drainpipes, clogged drains or eavestroughs, burst water lines, cracked/frozen pipes, open windows, malfunctioning sump pumps, and more. Each of these problems must be addressed separately, and there are technologies to address each type of leak. See below for the top 8 places leak happen, and how you can protect them:
#1 TOILETS
What Can Happen - Most toilet leaks are caused by faulty supply lines, toilet flanges, fill valve assemblies, or backed up toilets.
All these faults can be detected by placing a leak detector adjacent to your toilet.
How to Prevent It - Ideally, every toilet in your home should be monitored for leaks.
If you have multiple toilets in different floors, prioritize monitoring toilets in the upper floors before the lower ones, since leaks on higher floors can damage every floor beneath it. Eventually, add to your system so all toilets are monitored.
#2 WATER HEATER
What Can Happen - Most water heater tanks have a 10 to 13 year life expectancy, since throughout its life, the tank will slowly corrode, eventually causing a massive leak.
How to Prevent It - To monitor your water heater for leaks, place a leak detector adjacent to the tank and you will receive an alert when a leak is detected.
#3 APPLIANCES
What Can Happen - A worn out or otherwise compromised water supply hose is the main cause of water leaks from appliances and should be replaced every five years.
How to Prevent It - A leak detector placed underneath the water supply inlet can monitor most appliances for leaks.
If there is not enough room behind your appliance for the leak detector, it can be attached to the surface with the built-in magnets, and a remote sensor can monitor the floor for leaks.
#4 RAINWATER
What Can Happen - Sudden rainfall can enter your home from many places, but you can monitor them to help you save your valuables during a flood.
How to Prevent It - Place leak detectors near every exterior door and window, especially those below ground level, for example in your basement.
Place leak detectors in your attic, especially if your roof has leaked in the past.
Finally, monitor your sump pump, with a remote sensor dangling in the pit, to alert you before the water spills over.
#5 SEWAGE BACKUP
What Can Happen - Sewage backup, like heavy rainfall, can’t be directly stopped with a leak detector, but you can receive an alert when something goes wrong, so you can physically make sure your house is okay.
How to Prevent It - To monitor for sewer backups, place leak detectors near floor drains and toilets.
#6 HVAC SYSTEM
What Can Happen - Your HVAC system can cause water damage, either because of faulty drain line or because of tray/base overflow.
How to Prevent It - To monitor for condensate overflow, place leak detectors near the mechanical equipment, specifically near the condensate pump or drain line.
Place leak detectors near your humidifier to monitor for faulty water supply lines.
#7 SINKS AND SINK DRAINS
What Can Happen - Sinks cause water damage, either because of a faulty plumbing supply line, a clogged drain, or because it was left on by accident.
How to Prevent It - Place a leak detector underneath any sink to monitor it for leaks. You can optionally attach a remote sensor to monitor an adjacent fixture or appliance, for example a dishwasher or toilet.
Leak detectors underneath kitchen sinks can also monitor for leaking garbage disposals.
#8 FROZEN PIPES
What Can Happen - Because water expands when it freezes, your pipes can crack if the water inside freezes during severe cold weather.
How to Prevent It - Detectors detect freezing temperatures and will alert you and shut off your water in near freezing temperatures.
If your plumbing runs along exterior walls in uninsulated spaces (such as in an unfinished basement, to an exterior hose bib, or inside a kitchen cabinet,) place Leak detectors nearby to monitor the local temperature. If possible, ventilate the area with fresh warm air to prevent the air from getting too cold.
If you would like further information on how to employ these technologies in better protecting your home, please contact our office.
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