Tips From The Top

Water leaks can be a homeowner’s nightmare. The vital installation of leak detectors is especially crucial in our climate, where low winter temperatures put pipes at a greater risk of freezing and bursting. And if it happens while you’re away on vacation in warmer climates? All the more possibility for some serious damage.

Water leak detectors are a must. And an automated home can integrate water detectors so that they operate at optimal levels – for your peace of mind, and the integrity of you home.

Home automation blogger Jay Basen compared the five best smart water leak detectors for Residential Tech Today. He makes a strong case why every home – and smart homes especially – should not go without this essential device.

In his review, Basen cites some important statistics in water use and protection. American homes lose one trillion gallons of water each year due to leaks, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – equivalent to the annual amount of water used in more than eleven million homes. Besides the wasted resource, leaks can cause incredible damage to property. Basen describes how a slight1/8 inch crack in a pipe can leak 250 gallons of water in just one day. And the average insurance claim from a leak? Nearly $7,000.

The low cost of installing leak detectors pales in comparison with the high price tag – not to mention the hassle – of cleaning up a leak. When we discuss home automation platforms with clients, the security, safety, and well-being of your home is foremost in our talks. Another financial incentive is that insurance companies sometimes offer a discount to homeowners for installing a leak detection system.

At Jackson Hole A/V, we can install and integrate leak detectors that work in traditional and not-so-traditional ways. Detectors are usually installed in the obvious places with the highest risk of water damage: underneath sinks, refrigerators, dishwashers, and water heaters. But we also install detectors in innovative ways to detect non-traditional leaks, such as a pipe that bursts in February and leaks throughout the living room and family room before it ever reaches the traditional detectors. These smart leak detectors monitor the flow of water throughout the home, catching a leak no matter where it occurs. We can also install a motorized valve and an uninterruptable power supply so that the detector can work even in the case of a power outage.

To learn more about how your home could benefit from smart water leak detectors, call us at Jackson Hole AV. We’d love to discuss the possibilities.