Simple Sensors to Protect your Home
- martin slon
- Oct 30
- 2 min read
Water and fire are the biggest enemies of our wooden homes, so I thought I would compile some information about a few low cost upgrades that could help protect your home against these risks.
In the last year I have had flooding, a leaking sewer and a burst water heater in my basement. Read on to learn about the simple fixes I have installed or considered to make my home more resilient and give me peace of mind.
Water sensors- These are the number one defense item - cheap and effective. They cost in the $20 price range. They are installed next to items that may leak and emit an alarm when wet, or trigger an app, or can be connected to a home security/automation system. I have moved from the former to the latter, because if you do not hear the alarm, or you are out of the house when it occurs it is not very useful.
Smart Water Monitor and Automatic Shutoff - This is an electronic valve installed just after the water meter. If it detects abnormal water flow, it shuts down all the water to the house. These can also be sited at the water heater if preferred. A simpler cheaper version will simply alert you to a leak condition, and you will have to manually investigate and shut off the water if needed. These devices can cost a few hundred dollars and will need a plumber to install.
Temperature Sensor - If your heating was to shut down while you are away or a pipe is routed through or near an exterior wall, this will provide you an alert when the temperature is getting too close to freezing. Great when you are away, or if you have a second home
Whole House Surge Protector - Outages and brownouts seem to be getting more frequent . Rather than outages, it’s repeated low-level surges from brownouts and other infrastructure related causes that can be the most damaging over time and and cut short the lifespan of expensive appliances and electronics. This kind of device is installed at or in the panel, and many come with warranties that cover your electronics. They also eliminate the need for unsightly surge protection power strips. These devices cost a few hundred dollars and will need an electrician to install.
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