Water is without a doubt one of the biggest causes of property damage in both residential and commercial settings. According to the latest figures, you’re 10 times more likely to experience damage to your property as a result of water than you are from fire. Water actually accounts for a whopping 40% of all property damage, with an estimated one-third of homeowners insurance claims being those for water damage. In addition to the damage it causes, water often encourages mold growth on walls, floors, basement, attics, ductwork, crawl spaces and other areas, causing damage and leading to health problems.
Keep Disaster at Bay with a Water Leak Detection System
Early leak detection in your home is your best defense in minimizing the costly and damaging effects of water in your home. Leak detection also prevents mold and the health hazards associated with mold growth.
Failure to detect a leak early enough could lead to flooding home. A flooded home and the resulting water damage can compromise the structural integrity of your building and create unsafe living and/or working conditions, thus causing a need for extensive, costly repairs.
In addition to causing water damage in your property, water leaks that go undetected for a while can lead to the growth and proliferation of toxic mold. Mold typically spreads quickly from one area of the building to other areas and may end up costing you thousands of dollars in professional mold removal services. In the meantime, the presence of toxic black mold in your home greatly raises your risk for health problems, including allergic reactions, respiratory infections and disorders, muscle and joint pain, migraines, and even gastrointestinal problems.
Serious or extensive mold infestations typically require specialist treatment. Mold removal specialists can charge anywhere between $500 and $3000. Add to that the cost of draining out water from the water leakage or flooded basement as well as repairing water damage and you may easily end up with a massive, unmanageable bill. That’s why it is of utmost importance that you think of methods to limit chance of water leaks in your property.
You can protect your home and your family and also save yourself a lot of headache and money in the future by installing a water leak detection system in your property. This device can be installed by a professional plumber to alert you if there is a water leak in your home or commercial building, preventing costly water damage and mold growth.
What is a Water Leak Detector
A water leak detector is a highly advanced device that is designed to monitor all water-using appliances and plumbing fixtures in your home, including: water lines (pipes), water heater tanks, water filtration systems, ice maker lines, washing machines, toilets, and any other plumbing fixture that may experience a leak. This system not only alerts you if there is a water leak in your property, but also shuts off the water at the first sign of leakage, thereby preventing losses from both slow leaks and forceful types of water damage. Professional plumber contractors are highly skilled and experienced with installing custom leak detection systems or water damage loss mitigation devices that can detect even the smallest water leakage events. It’s worth noting that even a small leak can escalate into a major water intrusion event that has the potential to cause release of hundreds of gallons of water, which could flood into structural, mechanical and electrical systems leading to catastrophic dollar losses.
How a Water Leak Detector Works
A water leak detector works just like a smoke alarm. But instead of smoke, a water leak detection device comes with a sensor that detects the presence of water. Most systems feature an audible alarm that alerts you in the event of a leak. Some advanced models can also be programmed to alert you by email or text message if a leak occurs, while others can be connected to smart home systems to automatically shut off the water valve in the event a leak is detected. Such a proactive system can be extremely useful if a water leak occurs while you’re not at home. Nonetheless, a simple water leak detection system with an audible alarm works well enough for many homes and businesses, and is affordable even for those on a budget.
