How does a water sensor work and why install one with your Olympia smart home?

One small leak in your home can result in significant difficulties and thousands in damage. You need to safeguard against this danger; fortunately, there’s a simple way to accomplish this. A water sensor is a simple, effective, and affordable solution. Explore how they work and why you might incorporate water sensors into your Olympia smart home.

How water sensors shield Olympia homes

Water enters homes in various ways, whether from a weather-related incident, plumbing issue, appliance malfunction, or human error. However it occurs, you have to know right away, and this is how water sensors help. But how do they really work? 

Most water sensors are conductive and operate with a pair of electrodes. When water makes contact with the electrodes, an electrical connection is created, setting off your alarm. You’ll also discover capacitive sensors that emit an electrical field. When water contacts the conductive surfaces of these sensors, the field is interrupted, and your alarm activates. Optical sensors employing infrared LED light are an additional possibility.

Some water sensors give you more

A few advanced water sensors provide even more defense as they have built-in temperature sensors. This is an effective way to prevent frozen pipes. If there’s a drastic drop in temperature, you’ll be notified immediately. Taking steps before pipes burst will protect you from flooding and costly repairs.

Why connect water sensors to your Olympia smart home? 

When water emergencies happen, you have to be alerted at once. You can reach this objective by connecting water sensors to your smart home. Whether you’re on site to hear the alarm or somewhere else, you’ll receive an immediate update on your mobile device. As an added benefit, your round-the-clock monitoring agents will be informed. Each moment counts in a water emergency to limit the destruction and disturbance to your household.

Where should you install water sensors?

Any area susceptible to flooding is an appropriate place for water sensors. Consider installing in these locations:

• Bathrooms: Position next to tubs or in back of toilets.
• Basements: Water commonly enters lower levels through leaky walls or because of heavy rain or malfunctioning sump pumps.
• Near water heaters or appliances: Any water-using appliance may ultimately leak.
• Under sinks: Water sensors are ideal for identifying plumbing leaks in areas not easy to see.
• Attics: Detect roof leaks promptly and avert expensive repairs.

Get water sensors with your Vivint smart home

Give your home the comprehensive protection it needs with modern tools from Vivint. Our water sensors in Olympia integrate with your Vivint smartphone app to deliver automatic updates whenever your alarm goes off. You also benefit from integrated temperature sensors to prevent frozen pipes. Discover all the smart home devices available in Olympia by calling (360) 996-1195 today.