Be prepared for environmental damage

There are a wide variety of devices to protect your home against invasion by burglars but there is also another means of protection for your home that should not be overlooked. That is protection from environmental damage such as events that may cause flooding. Without adequate sensors to alert a homeowner about threatening leaks, a home is susceptible to flooding and water damage that can ruin walls, flooring, furnishings and valuables.

Water, flood sensors very helpful

Water and flood sensors can be useful as standalone units or can work in tandem with an existing security system, with other environmental control systems or even with a separate dialer. Depending upon the type of process chosen, water and flood sensors can immediately alert homeowners by alarm or by phone about dangerous water levels ranging from a slow, undetected leak to heavier flood waters. Some models can even be programmed to shut predetermined valves off in order to prevent or minimize water damage during an emergency event. Because sensors can prevent a flood or, at the very least, alert occupants about flood dangers and allow time to either stop water leaks or move valuables out of flood areas, water and flood sensors should be installed in areas where flooding is most likely. This includes areas like basements, underneath sinks, behind washing machines and near other appliances that are connected to water lines. While appliance failures have the potential to cause a major annoyance, homeowners can lessen the likelihood of severe damage simply by taking precautionary measures like installing water and flood sensors. For the best in flood protection, we recommend installing sensors in a primary residence, as well as in vacation homes.

Sump pump not always fool-proof

The following is a scenario that you may not have considered but perhaps you should have. Let’s say that you have just finished your basement, paid tens of thousands of dollars to lay that flooring, have it drywalled and painted. Maybe you even spent a lot of money on that basement theatre you always wanted. Now imagine that your sump pump stops working. It’s possible. Maybe the breaker trips, maybe there is something faulty about the pump itself, maybe you unplugged it to use the outlet and forgot to plug it back in, but whatever the reason your sump pump is not doing its job. Spring is almost here and with the snow continuing to fall, we will have a lot of water looking for a place to go. If it’s your newly finished basement, shouldn’t you protect that investment you’ve made? A water sensor can let you know when water is rising out of your sump pump and is threatening to move through the rest of your basement. By placing the water sensor close to your sump pump, close to the floor, when water rises, it closes the circuit and creates an alarm condition. Then very much like a break in, the phone calls begin, to you, your spouse, and anybody on your call list. Knowing that your basement is slowly flooding can give you time to address the issue before it takes hold of your whole basement.

Choose wired or wireless system for your situation

Both the wired and wireless systems operate in basically the same way for detecting leaks. The general rule of thumb is, if your leak detection needs require sensing on multiple living levels (basement, first floor, second floor, etc.), then you would probably be better off using the wireless system. If you are looking to detect in a single location (one appliance, or one room), the wired option is probably a more cost effective choice.