I'm getting ready to go on vacation soon, and I'm thinking about installing water leak sensors in my house. I already have 8 Govee sensors, but I'm worried that's not enough to cover all my potential leak points, like the sinks, toilets, dishwasher, washing machine, and even the furnace room where the water heater and HVAC are located. I'm estimating I might need around 13-14 sensors, but is that really normal? Do people actually set up this many? Also, could I use one sensor to cover a whole bathroom instead of getting separate ones for the sink and toilet? I realize that might only catch major leaks. Additionally, I prefer not to shut off my main water supply while I'm away. Would it be effective to just turn off the toilet valves or any easily accessible sink valves to reduce the risk of a leak while I'm gone, or is that just being overly cautious?
3 Answers
If you're worried about leaks, I really recommend turning off the main water supply or at least the valves for the toilet and sinks. It's super quick, and it'll give you one less thing to worry about while you're on vacation. Those sensors can be great for detecting issues when you're home, but not much good if you're stuck thousands of miles away and get an alert! If I were you, I’d grab a couple of sensors for the critical spots, but I wouldn't stress myself out about getting sensors for every possible leak area.
Honestly, I used to stress about leaks until I had a major incident last winter. I had a pipe freeze, and if we weren't home to address it, it could have flooded major parts of the house. Since then, I got a few extra sensors just to be safe. I think your instinct to cover key areas is spot on—better safe than sorry! That said, if you're worried about being away, just turn off the main water before you leave. You can always troubleshoot later if you do want to invest in more sensors.
I totally relate to your concerns! It might seem a bit excessive, but water leaks can cause serious damage, and they often happen when you least expect it. I have about 10 sensors, mainly around the water heater, under the sinks, and where the washing machine is. They provide peace of mind, but when I leave for vacation, I still shut off my main water supply just in case. It beats worrying about leaks while you're away! As for what you asked about coverage, one sensor in a bathroom could catch a significant leak, but it might miss smaller leaks in less visible spots.