What is a water detection system and how does it work? 

A water detection system is made up of multiple components that monitor water levels, flow rate, moisture build-up, temperature changes and potential leaks in a home. This includes water sensors that send push notifications to the homeowner's smartphone when unusual activity occurs, such as a frozen pipe. This smart home technology also contains a shut-off valve that is responsible for turning off the entire water flow once it detects a leak. Setting up a water detection system can help prevent extensive and costly damage caused by leaks that go unnoticed on a day-to-day basis. 

Quite often a home experiences water damage and leaks more often than a fire or theft. Emphasising how beneficial a water detection system can be to your customers gives you an upper hand in the smart home and intrusion industry. By doing this, you can expect future repair requests from your customers anytime they need a professional to come and fix their water equipment issues. As a pro, upselling this service could help you earn recurring revenue and expand your business. Here are a few reasons why a customer may need a water detection system installed. 

• Saves money – Unwanted expenses from water damage, such as mould and flooding, can drive up the repair bill. With a water detection system in place, customers can keep track of how much water they are using and detect leaks right when they start. This will help avoid spending thousands on water damage repairs. 

• Protection – A water detection system protects your customer's home and assets by stopping hidden leaks before they become a bigger problem. A home ruined by extensive water damage is difficult to recover from, so it's especially important to remind your customers what's at stake. 

• Conserves water – Small leaks from broken sprinklers or faucets can occur slowly over time and customers end up wasting thousands of gallons of water. Some water systems are designed to monitor water usage and detect leaks by shutting off the water supply completely – saving clean and safe water for all to enjoy. 

• Health risks – Untreated water leaks can eventually lead to mould buildup in the home, thus creating dangerous health risks for certain individuals. This can be avoided by installing a water detection system and keeping families safe from mould accumulating. 

Three main devices to install in a water detection system

A water detection system contains both smart home and intrusion devices to function properly. Its three necessary components are water sensors, smart water shut-off valves, and a smart home hub. 

1. Water Leak Sensors 

Water leak sensors monitor the water flow in the pipelines, making this device an essential component in a water detection system. Water leak sensors detect different types of activity such as the flow, temperature, leaks, humidity and pressure of the water in the home. There are multiple types of water sensors including humidity sensors, temperature sensors and flood sensors. You can install these sensors anywhere that has a water entry point inside the home. 

2. Smart Water Shut-Off Valve 

A shut-off valve is a device that connects to the water supply and temporarily stops the water flow in the entire home when a water sensor detects a leak – big or small. The shut-off valve protects homes from escaping water that could potentially put the home in turmoil. Some shut-off valves are controlled manually, meaning the homeowner must shut off the water themselves whenever they receive an alert of a potential leak. However, a smart water shut-off valve can stop the water source remotely while being controlled from a smartphone. Whether the customer is at home or on vacation, they can confidently trust in a smart water shut-off valve to quickly respond to a potential water leak before it becomes a major issue. 

3. Smart Home Hub 

A water detection system isn't complete without a centralized hub that initially ties everything together. Installing a smart home hub lets your customers connect their water sensors and other water detection devices to the Wi-Fi. From there, you can plug the hub into the outlet, then the water sensors will send notifications to the customer’s smartphone. Adding a smart hub lets them view, control and receive alerts of any abnormal activity that goes on in their home water system.  

What causes water leaks? 

A water leak can develop over time and eventually cause heavy flooding if it’s not properly taken care of. There are several places a leak can originate from. A common example would be an old hot water tank that needs replacing or when pipes freeze and burst due to cold temperatures. You can also help your customers prevent leaks in their homes by letting them know the warning signs to look out for, including excessive humidity, low water pressure and higher-than-normal water bills. 

Conclusion

Water leaks are not something homeowners think about daily. In the end, it can become a bigger mess than they can imagine. To avoid this, the home needs to be regularly maintained and monitored by installing a water detection system. Setting it up beforehand protects their home by notifying them of potential leaks, preserves clean water and saves them hundreds of dollars. Offering this value-added service to your customers can provide lasting protection to their home, build trust and curate more business for you as a pro installer.