Here’s what you need to consider when buying smart leak detectors and installing them in your home.
How do water leak detectors work?
Water leak detectors can detect water accumulation, and some can also detect dripping water or even rising humidity. Premium water leak detectors monitor the water flow in your pipes. They all connect to a hub or directly to your Wi-Fi network to send alerts when they detect a problem.
What types of water leak detectors are there?
Some water leak detectors have cables with sensors on the end, some have water detection leads, and others are self-contained with sensors on the top or bottom, or both. Some detectors allow you to expand nodes. At the premium end of the market, you can get water leak detectors that mount to your pipework to measure water flow and even turn it off automatically when a leak is detected.
How many water leak detectors do I need?
Unless you have one problem spot or piece of equipment that you want to monitor, you will probably need multiple leak detectors. When considering what type of detector would work best for you and how much of it you need, think about the areas you want to cover.
Where should I place my water leak detectors?
Anywhere you are concerned about a possible leak, i.e. under sinks, behind toilets, next to washing machines, humidifiers, boilers and other water tanks. If you have a problem area where you have previously had a leak or are concerned about an aging appliance, these are good places to place water leak detectors.
How do water leak detectors warn you?
All the smart water leak detectors we tested send push notifications if there’s a leak, but some also send emails and text messages. Most have some sort 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 choice supports disconnect alerts to alert you when you lose connection, which can happen if there’s a power or Wi-Fi cut.
How are water leak detectors powered?
Most detectors run on batteries, but there are also some that can be connected directly to a wall socket. You can set and forget plug-in detectors, but batteries give you more flexibility in placement, and the accompanying app usually alerts you when the batteries need to be replaced.
Do water leak detectors require a Wi-Fi connection?
Most smart water leak detectors connect directly to your Wi-Fi router or a hub, so make sure you have a good signal wherever you install them. Most devices we tested only connect to Wi-Fi on the 2.4 GHz band. Please note that they require internet access to alert you to any leaks or problems when you are away from home. If your internet goes down, they simply act as a local alarm.
Can water leak detectors be integrated into my smart home?
While companion apps and mobile notifications are common, some detectors support smart home standards, which allow you to access detectors in your chosen smart home app and set up triggers or automation. For example, you can set a water alert to flash your smart lights or select a temperature at which the heating or air conditioning turns on.
Can water leak detectors turn off the water?
Some advanced systems allow you to install a water monitoring device with an automatic shut-off feature, which allows any leak detection to shut off your water supply. But these systems tend to be expensive and may require professional installation.
Can water leak detectors also monitor temperature or humidity?
Some smart water leak detectors can also monitor temperature and humidity, potentially alerting you to the danger of frozen pipes or damp environments that could indicate a leak nearby. Generally, you can view temperature and humidity over time so you can immediately notice any notable changes that require investigation. Smart home automation also allows you to activate the heater or fans at certain levels to reduce the chance of damage.
