Here’s what you need to think about when you shop for smart leak detectors and install them in your home.
How do water leak detectors work?
Water leak detectors can detect water pooling, and some can also detect water dripping or even humidity rising. Premium water leak detectors monitor the flow of water in your pipes. All connect to a hub or directly to your Wi-Fi network to send alerts when they detect a problem.
What kinds of water leak detectors are there?
Some water leak detectors have cables with sensors on the end, some have water-sensing cords, and others are self-contained with sensors on the top or bottom or both. You have the option of extension nodes with some detectors. At the premium end of the market, you can get water leak detectors that must be fitted to your pipework to measure the flow of water and even automatically shut it off when a leak is detected.
How many water leak detectors do I need?
Unless you have a single problem spot or appliance you want to monitor, you will likely need multiple leak detectors. Think about the areas you want to cover when considering what kind of detector would work best for you and how many of them you need.
Where should I put my water leak detectors?
Anywhere you have concerns about a potential leak, so under sinks, behind toilets, next to washers, humidifiers, water heaters, and other water tanks. If you have a problem area where you have had a leak before or an aging appliance you are worried about, those are good spots to place water leak detectors.
How do water leak detectors alert you?
All the smart water leak detectors we tested send push notifications when there’s a leak, but some also send emails and texts. Most have some kind of built-in alarm sound, but some offer separate sirens or can be configured to send alerts through smart speakers or other devices. It’s worth checking whether your pick supports disconnection alerts to warn you when the connection is lost, which may happen if power or Wi-Fi goes out.
How are water leak detectors powered?
Most detectors are battery-powered, but you can get some that plug directly into outlets. You can set and forget plug-in detectors, but batteries give you more flexibility with placement, and the companion app will typically warn you when the batteries need to be changed.
Do water leak detectors need a Wi-Fi connection?
Most smart water leak detectors connect directly to your Wi-Fi router or a hub, so make sure that you have a decent signal wherever you are installing them. Most of the devices we tested only connect to Wi-Fi on the 2.4-GHz band. Remember that they need internet access to alert you to any leaks or problems when you are away from home. If your internet goes down, they will simply act as local alarms.
Can water leak detectors integrate with my smart home?
While companion apps and mobile notifications are typical, some detectors support smart home standards, which allows you to access detectors in your chosen smart home app and set up triggers or automation. For example, you could set a water alert to flash your smart lights or select a temperature that triggers heating or air conditioning to turn on.
Can water leak detectors shut off the water?
With some high-end systems, you can install a water-monitoring device with an automatic shutoff function, enabling any leak detection to shut off your water supply. But these systems are usually expensive and may require professional installation.
Can water leak detectors also monitor the temperature or humidity?
Some smart water-leak detectors can also monitor the temperature and humidity, potentially alerting you to the danger of frozen pipes or damp environments that could indicate a leak nearby. You can generally review the temperature and humidity over time, so you can immediately spot any notable changes that need investigation. With smart home automation, you can also trigger heating or fans at certain levels to reduce the risk of damage.
Simon Hill
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