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What is The Best Water Leak Detector?

Water leak detectors come in many forms. Which is the best? It depends on your needs and how much you want to spend.

The most basic leak detectors are just water sensors. These little $20-50 sensors go on the floor next to things like a washing machine or dishwasher to sound an alarm when water is detected from a leak or alongside something like a toilet or sump pump to alert when a water overflow occurs. These can be standalone sensors (ones that just emit a shrill siren when triggered) or tied into your home monitoring system (to set off a whole home alarm or alert your phone when triggered). However, if you are not home, an alarm sounding will not do much to protect you because no one will be there to shut off the water.

Note: Some types of appliances have their own leak detectors that can sense water flow increases or humidity to turn off the appliance when a leak is suspected. This is especially common for things like water filtration systems. These are typically sold in conjunction with the appliance or device because they are model-specific. In these instances, having a secondary water sensor located nearby is probably unnecessary. However, with the inexpensive nature of these sensors, some homeowners choose to use them anyways as an added layer of protection.

One step up from water sensors are leak detection tools that notify you if a probable leak is detected. These kinds of leak detectors fit over pipes to tell you when water is flowing abnormally, indicating that a leak may be occurring. These models are typically a few hundred dollars and do not have the functionality to do anything about a leak, just to notify you that something is amiss so you can take the appropriate actions to mitigate damage. The problem with these devices is that much like simple water sensors, if you are not home, you cannot do anything to stop the leak once you are alerted.

The most sophisticated form of water leak detectors are home leak detection systems that not only sense when leaks are occurring but also automatically shut water off to stop the leak as soon as it’s detected. These are typically thousands of dollars and require professional installation. However, the benefit is that you can get real-time updates on what is happening related to your home’s plumbing health and have the power to monitor and manage it remotely. These systems are undoubtedly the best option because they provide really sophisticated home protection, but their price tag makes them a much greater investment.

Remember, the “best” solution out there is whatever is going to be the best solution for you. There is no time like the present to protect your home! If you are interested in protecting your home from potential water leaks, speak to a local plumber to discuss your options. They will be able to advise you on which solution is best for the health of your pipes, type of piping you have, and age of your home. Within each category of leak detectors, a licensed plumber will have recommendations on which brands and models are going to fit your needs best.

Additional resources:
Who Fixes a Broken Pipe?
What Kind of Damage do Leaks Cause?
Emergency Plumbing Problems 101
Get Help after a Pipe Bursts
Is a Broken Pipe a Real Emergency?
How to Find a Water Leak
What To Do After a Pipe Breaks
Why Is My Water Bill Higher than Usual?
How to Fix a Leaky Shower
Repair a Leaking Kitchen Sink
When will Pipes Freeze?
Do Frozen Pipes Break?
What to do if a Pipe Freezes and Breaks
Leak Detection Services
How Does Leak Detection Work?
Who Can Fix a Ceiling Leak?
Leaking Hot Water Tank
What are Leak Detection Systems?
Do Plumbers have Leak Detectors?