Why You Can Trust CNET The Secret Hero of Home Safety Is the Humble Leak Detector
Leak detectors help prevent the most insidious home damage, and smart models can connect to your phone or existing security system.
Leak detectors have one job, and they do it well.
I live in the high desert, where winter brings its share of home issues when temperatures drop below freezing in the cold months. That spells trouble for old pipes, which are in danger of freezing, forcing water inside to expand and crack pipes or break valves, leading to hidden leaks. Keeping those pipes thawed out is serious business, and home security systems have the perfectly effective tool for monitoring the situation -- the unassuming leak detector, an add-on far too few homes use.
Freezing temperatures aren't the only thing that can create leaks in a house, of course. Heatwaves can expand and damage pipes, too, or make old AC units work too hard and start leaking. Drains get clogged, kitchen sink valves loosen and toilets overflow -- and that's only the start.
Leak detectors keep watch in these out-of-the-way areas with a very simple, effective design. They position an open circuit against the floor. When enough water (naturally conductive) gathers under them, the electrical circuit is completed, activating the detector, which then sends an alert or alarm. That's not only convenient, it helps prevent some of the most sinister damage in the average home.
Read more: 7 Types of Houses You Should Never Buy, According to a Real Estate Pro
Why moisture matters so much in your home
Undetected leaks lead to widespread damage and problems like mold that are very expensive to address.
While house disasters like fires grab the headlines, moisture damage is a much more insidious home enemy. And if you have a home, you need to know why.
First, moisture damage is often hidden near plumbing, so it can be a while before you notice that it started, giving leaks plenty of time to soak in and spread around. That's bad news for materials that can rot or disintegrate over time. That includes not only drywall, carpet and cabinets but even structural materials like beams and studs.
Second, when moisture leads to rot and softened materials -- especially wood -- it attracts nasty pests like subterranean termites or gnawing ants. That requires an expensive series of pest control visits in addition to replacing damaging materials.
Third, leaks in dark, protected places have a way of encouraging mold growth. Mold is incredibly damaging to a house: Its spores can travel many places, it can spread undetected for months and it can infest any porous materials easily. Some types of mold can also create serious health problems. It's so difficult to remove, there's a special process called mold remediation that's pricey, time-consuming, and often requires getting rid of any affected surfaces.
To heap insult onto injury, water damage like this is often not covered by home insurance. Most water damage is considered "preventative" with the proper maintenance, so insurers won't dish out any cash. And mold remediation can be so expensive, insurance companies won't cover it at all in certain areas, even under expanded policies.
Where you can put a leak detector
Leak detectors, especially battery models, can go nearly anywhere.
Leak detectors offer great versatility. Some designs require a nearby plug-in hub, but the sensors themselves are typically battery-powered and can last for many months on their own. You can put them in all kinds of places. Popular setups include:
- Under kitchen and bathroom sinks to catch leaky pipes
- Under pipes in crawlspaces that might freeze
- Behind the washing machine or somewhere nearby in the laundry room
- Behind toilets that could overflow
- Beside water heaters
- Behind the dishwasher and refrigerator (depending on your installation)
- Beside a sump pump that could overflow
- Beside fountains and other indoor water features
- Behind fish tanks
- Beside AC or dehumidifiers that could overflow
Read more: Keep Your Home Dry and Safe: Flood and Water Damage Prevention Guide
Our favorite home leak detectors
If you aren't using a leak detector, it's worth taking a look some of my favorite models. If you already have a home security system, start by seeing if your brand sells a leak detector. Most do.
Here's a water leak detector for Abode, one for Vivint systems and a version for SimpliSafe. If you use an Arlo home security system, its all-purpose sensors can also detect leaks. But if you don't have a system at all, these options are the best standalone choices we've found.
Eufy water and freeze sensor
Eufy's leak detector pairs with its HomeBase for easy placement around the home.
Eufy's is an excellent solo option for people who don't have security systems but are willing to purchase a Euy HomeBase hub for an app connection. It sports a two-year battery life and can send alerts right to your phone no matter where you are, making it the best option for vacations, rentals or time away from a house. The ability to detect freezing conditions can also help you monitor your crawlspaces or under-sink areas during winter.
D-Link water sensor and starter kit
D-Link's kit is an easy, versatile option for installation.
D-Link bundles its small plug-in hub (which includes its own extra leak detector dongle) and water sensor device into a package that's one of the best all-purpose leak detectors we've found. It can send app alerts, sound alarms and flash a warning light to make sure leaks are noticed. The AAA batteries in the sensor model are rated up to five years.
Moen Flo water leak detector
The Moan Flo sensor doesn't require battery maintenance.
This detector cuts the price a bit with a corded connection -- plug in the hub, then use the cable to place the sensor in a nearby location to sense water. That limits its use a bit, but the sensor still has plenty of applications wherever you have a nearby outlet. Other benefits like app alerts are included, and you don't have to worry about battery life.
Govee water leak detector 5-pack
Govee's alarm-based detectors are cheap and avoid app settings.
If you don't really care about app alerts and simply want a basic detector that sounds an alarm when water starts to pool, this Govee pack can take care of all the locations in your house at an affordable price. You can adjust the 100-decibel alarm to the volume that works best for you in each location. These sensors also sense water dripping from above, so don't hesitate to put them directly under suspect pipes.
If you want to explore more than leak detectors, visit our smart home 101 guide, take a look at our recommendations for the best refrigerator and see what smart locks are best for simple, effective front door security.