Two words sit near the top of every homeowner’s Most Dreaded Problems list: water damage.
And how’s this for a stat? Your home is 85% more likely to be damaged by water than fire.
No one needs that mess or the expense associated with repairs. While you can’t always prevent water-related mishaps, you can defend your home against water damage by installing an alert system.
Causes of Water Damage
Water damage can come from numerous sources. Common culprits include but aren’t limited to:
- Heavy rains
- Sewage backup/clogged drains
- Leaky washing machine or dishwasher hoses
- Pipe bursts
- Water heater malfunctions
- An overflowing toilet
- Under-the-sink pipe leaks
Major events like burst pipes or basement flooding are immediately noticeable; some sources of water damage, like dishwasher leaks, are less obvious and can go undetected for some time. Both threats are destructive. Depending on the problem site, water damage can wreak havoc in basements, cabinetry, flooring, or ceilings.
What’s a Water Alarm?
A water alarm is a sensor-based system that detects moisture or water—before damage occurs. Like a fire alarm, it signals a problem by sounding off a loud siren. Water alarms are small, discreet, and affordable. They’re compact units that can be placed near your main water valve and anywhere water damage might occur.
What Kind of Water Alarm Should I Get?
Water damage can start small but result in costly repairs to drywall, ceiling, or flooring
Water alarms are available at a variety of price points. What’s “right” for you depends on your budget, your home, and what’s convenient for you. Water alarm features and technological options include:
- Alarm sound – decibel variations and alert style, depending on alarm location, size of house, and whether or not someone in the household is hearing impaired.
- Alarm duration – some models have alerts that can be heard for up to three days, which can come in handy if you do a lot of traveling.
- Automatic shutoff - turns off water at the source of the problem and costs more than basic alarm features.
- Wire vs. wireless – some house set-ups are better suited to line hookups, others are better service by a wireless internet connection
- Notifications – on-site sirens are standard, and remote messaging (text, email, phone calls) is available for more advanced systems.
Need a Charlotte Plumber to Install Water Alarm Services?
Feel secure knowing you’ve got water damage prevention measures in place. If you’d like to install a water alarm system and live within a 30-mile radius of Charlotte, we'll hook you up—literally. Contact us for more information about water alarm options. We’ll help you determine which system is best for you. We’re available at 704-846-5371 or via our online contact form.
P.S. Dealing with an emergency and need water damage prevention now from a 24/7 Charlotte emergency plumber? Let us know it's an emergency via our online contact form.
Article Summary
Quick question & answer: What is the best way to prevent water damage?
The best way to prevent water damage is to install a water alarm. A water alarm is a sensor-based system that detects moisture or water before damage occurs. They are small, discreet, and affordable units that can be placed near anywhere water damage might occur. Features include alarm sound, alarm duration, automatic shutoff, wire vs. wireless, and notifications.
