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Sewer inspection services in Indianapolis, IN
Water leaks can cause extensive damage if they aren’t immediately addressed. It’s important to perform regular maintenance to prevent leaks from occurring and to catch leaks quickly when they do happen. Smart home technology has led to advancements in water leak detection, helping to protect your home and alert you in several ways.

Preventing Water Leaks

Homeowners can take steps to prevent water leaks and the issues they cause by engaging in routine maintenance. This includes maintaining appliances that use water, including your dishwasher and refrigerator, and checking pipes and faucets in your kitchen and bathroom. If you notice small drips, don’t ignore them. Instead, immediately call for repairs to prevent them from growing larger. Monitor your water bills to watch for spikes in your family’s reported water usage and your bill. During the winter months, be aware that freezing temperatures in Indianapolis can cause exposed or uninsulated pipes to freeze and burst. Make sure you turn your faucets on to a small drip during colder temperatures and add insulation to pipes that are exposed to the cold. Unfortunately, even with preventive measures, your plumbing can still spring a leak. Some common causes of water leaks include:
  • High water pressure
  • Broken seals
  • Corrosion
  • Tree root intrusions
  • Clogs
  • Worn or loose connectors
Since you can’t prevent all leaks, it’s important to have a system that allows you to detect them when they happen and complete fast repairs.

How Smart Leak Detectors Work

When water contacts a traditional water sensor or exceeds its normal flow rate, the detector will sound an alarm. However, the purpose of a water leak detector is defeated when you are somewhere else. When a leak detector senses a major leak when you’re at work or away on vacation, you can return home hours or days later to find a flooded mess. Smart leak detectors work differently and send alerts to your phone or other mobile device when they detect water by using metal to sense increased conductivity. Others detect increases in moisture levels beyond what’s normal for your home. Some systems also include automatic shutoff technology to stop the water flow when leaks are detected. Smart water detectors might also have a feature that sends an alert when your pipes are in danger of freezing to help prevent pipe bursts during cold weather. They can also sound simultaneous alarms to alert anyone who might be present. Here are seven ways smart home technology for detecting water leaks can benefit you.

1. Prevent Water Damage and Expensive Repairs

Water can damage floors, drywall, furniture, upholstery, clothing, books, electronics, photographs and more. If a leak starts in the pipes that are located in your ceiling, it can also damage your home’s insulation and structural beams.

2. Stop Water Flow

In addition to smart leak detectors, homeowners can also install smart ball valves as part of a smart leak detection system. These allow you to stop the water flow remotely when you receive an alert on your mobile device. The ball valve will turn the water off so that you can address the water leak once you return home, preventing extensive damage from occurring. Smart water shut-off valves typically kick on once the system detects water flow exceeding a minimal amount of as little as 1/2 ounce per minute. This gives you ample time to repair leaks without worrying about extensive water damage.

3. Inhibit Mold Growth

Mold is a common issue facilitated by damp conditions in your home. Unaddressed moisture can create conditions ideal for mold growth, which is why you might see mold in areas of your home with leaking pipes or faucets. Mold exposure can be hazardous to your health and cause the following problems:
  • Skin irritation
  • Allergic reactions
  • Respiratory illnesses
  • Trouble breathing
  • Chronic headaches

4. Reduce Water Waste

Your plumbing might be leaking if you’ve noticed unexplained spikes in your water bills. Leaks can waste hundreds of gallons of water without you being aware they exist. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), household water leaks cause one trillion gallons of water waste in the United States annually. Water companies experience an increase in expenses when they need to make up for the water that is lost. This can result in an increase reflected in your water bill.

5. Protect Personal Property

Leaks damage more than your home’s structure when they aren’t promptly detected and repaired. A flood in your home from a leak can damage personal property and irreplaceable keepsakes. Smart leak detection systems catch leaks at their source before they can spread and damage your belongings.

6. Reduce Homeowners’ Insurance Premiums

A benefit beyond leak prevention from smart home technology can be the effect of installing leak detection systems on your insurance bill. Water damage makes up as much as 25% of claims filed with insurers, so they tend to reduce premiums for homeowners who install smart leak detection systems. Savings can come in the form of lower premiums or discounts when you install a leak detection system. Your insurance company might give you a rebate or reimburse you for part of the purchase cost. If you have a leak detection system installed and still must file a water damage claim, the insurance company will likely approve your claim faster. Smart leak detectors allow you to prove your due diligence. Since the leaks are identified quickly, your claim can be smaller because the damage won’t be as extensive. However, if you ignore the alert and fail to fix the leak, your insurance company might deny your claim or reduce how much it pays.

7. Protect Resale Value

If you plan to put your home on the market within the next few years, installing a smart home leak detection system can help preserve its value and prevent damage that could make it difficult to sell. Water can cause structural damage to your home. Prospective homebuyers might feel more confident about their purchase when they know you use smart home technology to prevent leaks and costly damage. If your home is flooded by a leak, you might have to replace warped hardwood floors and damaged drywall. Mold mediation might also be necessary if a slow leak causes mold to flourish in your bathroom, kitchen or basement. These repairs can be expensive and take away from how much you might realize on your home’s sale.

Contact Our Expert Plumbing Professionals

At Hope Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, our plumbing professionals are proud to be a locally owned, full-service plumbing company trusted by residents throughout Indianapolis. Our plumbers offer a full suite of services, including plumbing repairs, leak detection, water softeners, drain services, reverse osmosis system installations and more. As a customer-focused company, we pride ourselves and providing top-quality service that you can rely on. To learn more about smart leak detection and our other plumbing services, contact us at Hope Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in Indianapolis, IN today!
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