The Best Product For Preventing Plumbing Leaks And Floods
Do you have a basement that floods often, or are you concerned about your precious valuables stored in the basement near the water lines in your home? If that's the case, you may be looking for a way to prevent plumbing leaks and excessive damage to your home from flooding events. It's not always easy to do this, as no matter how much plumbing tape you use, there's still a risk for leaks to occur over time.
If you have experienced a flood in your home before and perhaps fixed a leaking pipe, you know just how damaging these types of events can be. According to FEMA, if you have a flooding event that creates just an inch of water in your home, that can cost as much as $25,000 in damage to the property, and home insurance doesn't always cover this. The goal then is to find a way to minimize this type of damage; fortunately, there's a product designed to do just that.
How leak detection tools work
A leak detection sensor is the best tool to prevent extensive damage from burst water pipes or floods. Leak detection systems are a type of automatic shut-off device, according to State Farm. If the sensor on the device detects the presence of water on the floor or there's excessive flow through the pipes, it takes action to terminate the source of the water, such as shutting off the main water valve to the home. It's designed to respond quickly, though there are different styles and functions to these systems.
This device does not prevent plumbing leaks from occurring in the first place, but it can help minimize the damage brought on by floods. It works to prevent water from continuously pouring into your home, saturating the carpet and drywall, and damaging your furnishings. As soon as some level of water leak occurs, the device turns off the water at the source.
Placing them in your home
There are a few versions of leak detection systems and water sensors. Some are simply sensors to set on the floor of the basement while others are more elaborate and can be placed throughout high-risk areas. ThomasNet says there are a number of places to position these sensors in the home to create this type of protection.
That includes any cold water pipes that bring water into your home from the main plumbing line and carry that water to faucets throughout it. It's also a good idea to use them near hot water tanks, which can suddenly burst and cause a significant flooding event.
Other areas include boiler pipes, hot water pipes that move the heated water through the home, connections to the refrigerator, and drain and waste system pipes. A full system like this may provide the best ability to minimize excessive damage to your property from floods.