How does a water sensor work and why use one with your Youngstown smart home?

One small leak at your property can cause major issues and thousands of dollars in damage. You have to safeguard against this danger; luckily, there’s a simple way to achieve this. A water sensor is an economical, simple, and effective solution. Explore how they work and why you might connect water sensors to your Youngstown smart home.

How water sensors protect Youngstown your home

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

Most water sensors are conductive and work with two electrodes. When water enters the area between the electrodes, an electrical circuit is formed, activating your alarm. You’ll also find capacitive sensors that give off an electrical field. When water contacts the conductive areas of these sensors, the field is disrupted, and your alarm activates. Optical sensors using infrared LED light are another possibility.

Get more from your water sensor

A few specialized water sensors offer even more defense as they feature incorporated temperature sensors. This is an outstanding feature in preventing pipe freezing. If there’s a severe decrease in temperature, you’ll know right away. Taking action before pipes burst will protect you from water infiltration and exorbitant repair costs.

Why connect water sensors to your Youngstown smart home? 

When water emergencies arise, you need to be warned 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 away, you’ll be sent an automatic notification on your mobile device. As an added benefit, your round-the-clock monitoring team will be notified. Each second is critical in a water emergency to minimize the damage and disturbance to your life.

Where should you install water sensors?

Any area at risk of flooding is a suitable position for water sensors. Consider installing in these spots:

• Bathrooms: Position close to bathtubs or at the back of toilets.
• Basements: Water often enters basements via leaky walls or as a result of excess rain or broken sump pumps.
• Near water heaters or appliances: Any water-using appliance could ultimately leak.
• Below sinks: Water sensors are ideal for identifying plumbing leaks in areas not easy to see.
• Attics: Detect roof leaks promptly and avoid costly damage.

Request water sensors with your Vivint smart home

Give your home the complete protection it deserves with innovative tools from Vivint. Our water sensors in Youngstown integrate with your Vivint smartphone app to deliver instant updates any time your alarm goes off. You also get integrated temperature sensors to avoid pipe freezing. Explore the smart home tools available in Youngstown by calling (330) 632-1363 today.