Water Leak Detection System

[Tvflguy]

Highly recommend getting one folks. Have heard of inside-home water leaks causing damage etc.

Happened to us last month. Went into garage and noticed water on the floor. Opened the adjoining closet and saw a leak atop the water heater. Turned off main and called Munns. Even tho it was a Sunday they were out in 2 hours. A fitting was bad and replaced. If I did not catch it when I luckily did… yikes

I went onto Amazon and ordered and installed a Water Detection System. $50. Well spent. Easy install. I have the 4 sensors installed by the fridge, washing machine, water heater, and dishwasher. It senses 24x7x365. Loud alarm if sensing a leak and a warning to your Smartphone if away. Links to your Wifi.

Att photo of the controller and sensor by fridge.

There are many systems but this is the one I got. $50.

DENFOON WiFi Water Leak Sensor 4 Pack, Water Leak Detector 110dB Alarm and App Alerts Detector for Home, Basement

[Kenswing]

We use the sensors that are part of the Ring Alarm system. Placed one in each bathroom, the kitchen and the laundry room. It notifies you via text and through the app if you have water where you're not supposed to.

[retiredguy123]

I use the battery operated water alarms that work like a smoke detector. Very inexpensive on Amazon, less than $50 for 6 units. But, they don't connect to wifi. I place them in the water heater drain pan, and near the washer, refrigerator, under sinks, and behind toilets. I had one detect a leak under my kitchen sink a few months ago.

[Stu from NYC]

I use the battery operated water alarms that work like a smoke detector. Very inexpensive on Amazon, less than $50 for 6 units. But, they don't connect to wifi. I place them in the water heater drain pan, and near the washer, refrigerator, under sinks, and behind toilets. I had one detect a leak under my kitchen sink a few months ago.

So how do you know when they detect a leak?

[retiredguy123]

So how do you know when they detect a leak?
They make a loud noise like a smoke detector, but you need to be in the house to hear it.

[Smalley]

Would you share the brand that you bought for water leak detection?

[retiredguy123]

Would you share the brand that you bought for water leak detection?
Mine are First Alert, but they don't make water alarms anymore. But, you can buy 6 Fuers alarms for $45 on Amazon. There are also several other brands. If I were buying them again, I may choose to buy the ones that connect to wifi.

[Toymeister]

From a technology perspective most of what is referenced so far is in the stone age. The whole home water monitors are vastly superior and you can tie them to an automatic valve. Water leak detected and you are in Kansas? Shut off water remotely, better yet have it programmed to do this for you.

True story: About a month ago I got a call that a neighbor of a seasonal resident heard that the maid found a leak under the kitchen sink and put a pail under it and can I (I do some handyman work) check it out sometime, if I have time. Another neighbor looked but couldn't find a leak.

What do I find that night?, a overflowing pail in the bathroom with standing water approaching the master. For want of checking the entire home disaster almost got them.

The double neighbor system, actually three people, failed what a monitor would shut down automatically.

[JerryP]

From a technology perspective most of what is referenced so far is in the stone age. The whole home water monitors are vastly superior and you can tie them to an automatic valve. Water leak detected and you are in Kansas? Shut off water remotely, better yet have it programmed to do this for you.

True story: About a month ago I got a call that a neighbor of a seasonal resident heard that the maid found a leak under the kitchen sink and put a pail under it and can I (I do some handyman work) check it out sometime, if I have time. Another neighbor looked but couldn't find a leak.

What do I find that night?, a overflowing pail in the bathroom with standing water approaching the master. For want of checking the entire home disaster almost got them.

The double neighbor system, actually three people, failed what a monitor would shut down automatically.


Seasonal resident, simple, turn the main off.

[Toymeister]

Seasonal resident, simple, turn the main off.

Not so simple as most have neighbors (or a service) flush the toilets monthly. A surprising number of people do not have the hand strength to close the cheap PVC valves that are the main valves on TV homes.

Another true story: this time it was my home before I had a monitor. The solenoid valve on the washer valve failed on a non TV home. I was home, awake, to catch the quiet leak but if I was asleep it would of flooded the LR Brazilian koa wood floors.

So, as you can see the go to 'turn off the main' has many flaws.

[retiredguy123]

Not so simple as most have neighbors (or a service) flush the toilets monthly. A surprising number of people do not have the hand strength to close the cheap PVC valves that are the main valves on TV homes.

Another true story: this time it was my home before I had a monitor. The solenoid valve on the washer valve failed on a non TV home. I was home, awake, to catch the quiet leak but if I was asleep it would of flooded the LR Brazilian koa wood floors.

So, as you can see the go to 'turn off the main' has many flaws.
I bought one of these in the 3/4 inch size. It makes it very easy to operate the cheap plastic valve without breaking it. A good investment.

https://www.amazon.com/Adjustment-Swimming-Handle-Purchase-Individually/dp/B09JB8W8P5?th=1

[Toymeister]

I bought one of these in the 3/4 inch size. It makes it very easy to operate the cheap plastic valve without breaking it. A good investment.

https://www.amazon.com/Adjustment-Swimming-Handle-Purchase-Individually/dp/B09JB8W8P5?th=1

Actually, I'm a bit surprised that you bought one vice duct taping a free paint stick to the handle

It's actually cheaper to fix the issue and replace the cheap plastic valve with a stainless ball valve for 12 bucks https://a.co/d/7GMgYPp

[seecapecod]

Highly recommend getting one folks. Have heard of inside-home water leaks causing damage etc.

Happened to us last month. Went into garage and noticed water on the floor. Opened the adjoining closet and saw a leak atop the water heater. Turned off main and called Munns. Even tho it was a Sunday they were out in 2 hours. A fitting was bad and replaced. If I did not catch it when I luckily did… yikes

I went onto Amazon and ordered and installed a Water Detection System. $50. Well spent. Easy install. I have the 4 sensors installed by the fridge, washing machine, water heater, and dishwasher. It senses 24x7x365. Loud alarm if sensing a leak and a warning to your Smartphone if away. Links to your Wifi.

Att photo of the controller and sensor by fridge.

There are many systems but this is the one I got. $50.

DENFOON WiFi Water Leak Sensor 4 Pack, Water Leak Detector 110dB Alarm and App Alerts Detector for Home, Basement

Great advice! Thank you for sharing the brand!

[rrtjp]

From a technology perspective most of what is referenced so far is in the stone age. The whole home water monitors are vastly superior and you can tie them to an automatic valve. Water leak detected and you are in Kansas? Shut off water remotely, better yet have it programmed to do this for you.

True story: About a month ago I got a call that a neighbor of a seasonal resident heard that the maid found a leak under the kitchen sink and put a pail under it and can I (I do some handyman work) check it out sometime, if I have time. Another neighbor looked but couldn't find a leak.

What do I find that night?, a overflowing pail in the bathroom with standing water approaching the master. For want of checking the entire home disaster almost got them.

The double neighbor system, actually three people, failed what a monitor would shut down automatically.

Who can you purchase the whole home water monitoring system from?

[Malsua]

Who can you purchase the whole home water monitoring system from?

There are a number of products.

As far as the best Monitor, that would be a Flume. You can buy them from Amazon.

Flume does not integrate with an automatic shutoff valve. Moen has a solution that requires some plumbing. There are others that just attach to a 1/4 turn ball valve.

The monitor part is quite easy, the shut off gets a little more complicated.

I own a Flume on my rental property and it works great. It's detected a leaking toilet and a leaky irrigation valve(North of 466, irrigation is the same water). I can also see exactly how much water is being used and recently I noticed the water level was less than normal. I had one irrigation valve NOT opening, used the flume to figure it out. I have a wifi irrigation controller, so I turned on each zone until one zone showed no water usage. I replaced the solenoid, easy peasy.

[rrtjp]

There are a number of products.

As far as the best Monitor, that would be a Flume. You can buy them from Amazon.

Flume does not integrate with an automatic shutoff valve. Moen has a solution that requires some plumbing. There are others that just attach to a 1/4 turn ball valve.

The monitor part is quite easy, the shut off gets a little more complicated.

I own a Flume on my rental property and it works great. It's detected a leaking toilet and a leaky irrigation valve(North of 466, irrigation is the same water). I can also see exactly how much water is being used and recently I noticed the water level was less than normal. I had one irrigation valve NOT opening, used the flume to figure it out. I have a wifi irrigation controller, so I turned on each zone until one zone showed no water usage. I replaced the solenoid, easy peasy.
Thanks!!

[Doug17s]

Highly recommend getting one folks. Have heard of inside-home water leaks causing damage etc.

Happened to us last month. Went into garage and noticed water on the floor. Opened the adjoining closet and saw a leak atop the water heater. Turned off main and called Munns. Even tho it was a Sunday they were out in 2 hours. A fitting was bad and replaced. If I did not catch it when I luckily did… yikes

I went onto Amazon and ordered and installed a Water Detection System. $50. Well spent. Easy install. I have the 4 sensors installed by the fridge, washing machine, water heater, and dishwasher. It senses 24x7x365. Loud alarm if sensing a leak and a warning to your Smartphone if away. Links to your Wifi.

Att photo of the controller and sensor by fridge.

There are many systems but this is the one I got. $50.

DENFOON WiFi Water Leak Sensor 4 Pack, Water Leak Detector 110dB Alarm and App Alerts Detector for Home, Basement

Check out YoLink. I bought a 4 pack with Hub on Amazon for $79. Easy install. I have the app on my phone that alerts me if it detects water. The sensors are on top of the unit which is about 1/8 of an inch high. So make sure you place the sensor directly under where you might expect water to leak.

[justjim]

“Water Cop” was already installed at Condo. Several units have it and works great!

[tophcfa]

We replaced the cheap plastic valve that turns off the whole house water supply with a good quality brass throw valve and simply turn off the water when not there. Our irrigation, pool auto-fill and hose bib in the bird cage are plumed to bypass the rest of the homes plumbing. Since we live north of 466 all of our water supply, including irrigation, is potable water. When we are not there we still have all the water supply necessary, including a functional hose bib for the pool service company to use to clean the filter. When our friends periodically come over to check on the house, flush the toilets, run some water into the sinks and showers, and water the plants, they simply turn the water on and off each visit. We do the same for them when we are in the Villages and they are not. Much more foolproof system than water sensors and works when internet is shut off when not there.

[pauld315]

Highly recommend getting one folks. Have heard of inside-home water leaks causing damage etc.

Happened to us last month. Went into garage and noticed water on the floor. Opened the adjoining closet and saw a leak atop the water heater. Turned off main and called Munns. Even tho it was a Sunday they were out in 2 hours. A fitting was bad and replaced. If I did not catch it when I luckily did… yikes

I went onto Amazon and ordered and installed a Water Detection System. $50. Well spent. Easy install. I have the 4 sensors installed by the fridge, washing machine, water heater, and dishwasher. It senses 24x7x365. Loud alarm if sensing a leak and a warning to your Smartphone if away. Links to your Wifi.

Att photo of the controller and sensor by fridge.

There are many systems but this is the one I got. $50.

DENFOON WiFi Water Leak Sensor 4 Pack, Water Leak Detector 110dB Alarm and App Alerts Detector for Home, Basement

That is a nice easy solution but if you are out of town someplace and this goes off in the middle of the night on your smartphone, what good is it ? For that reason, I went with this system available on Amazon

YoLink DIY Automatic Water Leak Detection & Shut-Off Starter Kit, Bulldog Ball Valve Manipulator, Wireless Valve Controller, (3) Leak Sensors, Hub

[PugMom]

since i'm not handy in any way, could a regular fix-it man be able to install it for me, or do i rely on a specific company? thx in advance

[Toymeister]

since i'm not handy in any way, could a regular fix-it man be able to install it for me, or do i rely on a specific company? thx in advance

Flume literally requires that you use a Bungie cord (provided) to strap on to your water meter. You can do that, I'm sure.

[jswirs]

Not so simple as most have neighbors (or a service) flush the toilets monthly. A surprising number of people do not have the hand strength to close the cheap PVC valves that are the main valves on TV homes.

Another true story: this time it was my home before I had a monitor. The solenoid valve on the washer valve failed on a non TV home. I was home, awake, to catch the quiet leak but if I was asleep it would of flooded the LR Brazilian koa wood floors.

So, as you can see the go to 'turn off the main' has many flaws.

I purchased a "T" handle type tool used for turning main water valve off and on.
Easy to operate and works great. So at monthly maintenance main water valve can be turned on, flush toilets, etc., then turn valve off when completed. Works for me.