Have you suffered a leak in your home’s pipes? Perhaps you did not notice a leak occurred. If it is behind a wall, you may not realize it is there at all. When it becomes obvious, there is usually a significant amount of damage present.
You may be able to file a home insurance claim for this loss. It is not uncommon to do that. However, there are new systems that may be able to reduce risks. A leak detection system is one of those solutions. If you have one, be sure to let your home insurance agent know about its presence.
How Does a Leak Detection System Work?
This type of system uses a set of sensors to operate. The homeowner or technician places the sensors throughout the home. Generally, they will go under or next to any type of system that connects to the home’s water lines. This includes hot water heaters, toilets, sinks, and appliances such as the washing machine and refrigerator. It can even work next to bathtubs.
Once in place, the sensor begins to detect what is occurring. If water touches the sensor at all – at any time it is not normal – the system will alert. A message travels to the main control area. That then instantly sends a command to turn off a valve located on the water line coming into the home.
In short, if the sensors find water where it is not to be, it turns off the water at the source. This is cutting-edge technology in terms of home plumbing systems. However, the presence of this type of system can offer some nice benefits. Some systems work to monitor the movement of water through the home. And, as a result, it can turn off a valve if the water line feeding into the home has water pressure that is too high. By doing this, it helps to prevent water damage and leaks from occurring.
Often, this type of leak detection system can provide incredible insight to homeowners. It provides an opportunity to react to something happening long before it is obvious. And, that means more safety for your home. In truth, it might also mean fewer claims for water damage. That is why some home insurance companies offer discounts for these types of systems.
If you are ready to stop leaks, this is a good place to start. For more information on how your plan might address water sensors, contact one of our agents.