Winter is upon us in New England, and with it comes the blistering cold. Frigid temperatures can be problematic not only to our car batteries and our health but also to homeowners worried about bursting pipes and flooding in their homes. Did you know there are devices that can be installed to prevent winter catastrophes like this?
There are sensors that can be installed right on your plumbing or meter which monitor the flow of your water and can detect major leaks such as a burst pipe or even slow leaks from appliances and fixtures such as the dishwasher, sink or toilet. Once the sensors are triggered, they then shut off the water, which will prevent major water damage and high water bills. Like a lot of our appliances we use today, many of these systems are smart phone compatible and you can monitor water usage and make adjustments to the sensor’s leak detection settings right from your phone. These systems can either be placed as a point of entry device, to monitor the whole home’s water usage. Or they can be set up at point of use such as a dishwasher, sink or ice machine to keep track of any leaks and water usage.
There are many of these products available on the market right now, and some can be installed by the homeowner, but they are also available through plumbers and expert vendors. Some of the more popular types are: Phyn Plus, ADT, Water Hero, and Honeywell and prices range from about $400-$700, but prices can go up depending on the system and if you have the company or a vendor install it for you. However, having one of these systems can pay back. Water damage is top of the charts for most common cause of insurance damage, so most home insurance companies will give discounts on the homeowner’s premium if they have one of these systems installed. These systems are a great option for older homes, vacation homes and rentals that are not always occupied and therefore not easily monitored for leaks.
