Here’s what you need to consider when purchasing a smart leak detector and installing it in your home.
How do water leak detectors work?
Water leak detectors can detect standing water, and some can detect dripping water or even rising humidity. A quality water leak detector monitors the flow of water in your pipes. All of these connect to a hub or directly to your Wi-Fi network to send alerts when problems are detected.
What types of water leak detectors are there?
Some water leak detectors have a sensor on the end of the cable, some have a water sensing wire, and some are self-contained with the sensor on the top or bottom or both. You can choose an extension node with some detectors. At the higher end of the market, you can get water leak detectors that must be installed on your plumbing system to measure water flow and even automatically shut off the flow if a leak is detected.
How many water leak detectors do I need?
Unless you want to monitor a single problem point or piece of equipment, you’ll likely need multiple leak detectors. When considering which detector is best for you and how many detectors you need, consider the area you want to cover.
Where should I place my water leak detector?
Anywhere you are concerned about potential leaks, such as under sinks, behind toilets, and next to washing machines, humidifiers, water heaters, and other water tanks. If your problem area has had previous leaks, or you are concerned about the aging of your equipment, these are good places to place a leak detector.
How does a water leak detector alert you?
All of the smart water leak detectors we tested sent push notifications when there was a leak, but some also sent emails and text messages. Most have some kind of built-in alarm sound, but some offer standalone sirens or can be configured to send alerts through smart speakers or other devices. It’s worth checking if your option supports disconnect alerts, so that it can warn you if the connection is lost, which might happen if power or Wi-Fi is interrupted.
How is the water leak detector powered?
Most detectors are battery-powered, but you can also buy some that plug directly into an outlet. You can set and forget plug-in detectors, but batteries give you more placement flexibility, and the companion app will usually warn you when it’s time to replace the batteries.
Does the water leak detector require a Wi-Fi connection?
Most smart water leak detectors connect directly to your Wi-Fi router or hub, so make sure you have a good signal wherever you install them. Most of the devices we tested only connected to Wi-Fi in the 2.4 GHz band. Remember, they need access to the internet to alert you of any leaks or issues when you’re not home. They only act as local alerts if your internet goes down.
Can a water leak detector integrate with my smart home?
While companion apps and mobile notifications are common, some detectors support smart home standards, which allows you to access the detector in the smart home app of your choice and set triggers or automations. For example, you can set a water alarm to flash smart lights or choose a temperature that triggers the heating or air conditioning to turn on.
Can a water leak detector cut off water?
With some high-end systems, you can install water monitoring equipment with automatic shut-off features that shut off the water supply if a leak is detected. But these systems are often expensive and may require professional installation.
Can a water leak detector also monitor temperature or humidity?
Some smart water leak detectors can also monitor temperature and humidity, potentially alerting you to the dangers of frozen pipes or wet conditions, which could indicate a nearby leak. You can often look at temperature and humidity over time to immediately spot any significant changes that need investigation. With smart home automation, you can also trigger heating or fans at a certain level to reduce the risk of damage.