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How does a water sensor work and why use one with your Fort Wayne smart home?

April 21, 2025
Smartphone app notifies resident of water infiltration

One small leak in your home can cause significant difficulties and thousands of dollars worth of damage. You have to safeguard against this risk; luckily, there’s a straightforward way to do so. A water sensor is an economical, simple, and effective solution. Explore how they work and why you ought to connect water sensors to your Fort Wayne smart home.

How water sensors protect Fort Wayne properties

Water enters homes in various ways, whether from an appliance breakdown, plumbing problem, storm-related incident, or human error. Whatever way it takes place, you have to know immediately, and this is how water sensors help. But how do they really work? 

The majority of water sensors are conductive and work with a pair of electrodes. When water comes in contact with the electrodes, an electrical link is established, activating your alarm. You’ll also find capacitive sensors that emit an electrical field. Your alarm sounds when water contacts the conductive areas of these sensors and disrupts the field. Optical sensors using infrared LED light are another choice.

Get more protection from water sensors

Some innovative water sensors provide even more peace of mind as they use built-in temperature sensors. This is an effective way to prevent pipe freezing. If there’s a severe reduction in temperature, you’ll know right away. Taking measures before pipes rupture will save you from flooding and exorbitant repair costs.

Why incorporate water sensors into your Fort Wayne smart home? 

When water emergencies happen, you need to be notified right away. You can attain this goal by incorporating water sensors into your smart home. Whether you’re there to hear the alarm or somewhere else, you’ll get an automatic alert on your cell phone. As an additional backup, your 24/7 monitoring team will be alerted. Every moment matters in a water emergency to minimize the damage and disruption to your household.

Where should you install water sensors?

Any spot prone to flooding is an ideal position for water sensors. Place them in these locations:

  • Bathrooms: Attach in back of toilets or close to bathtubs.
  • Basements: Water often infiltrates basements through cracked walls or because of excessive rain or malfunctioning sump pumps.
  • Around water heaters or appliances: Any water-connected appliance may leak over time.
  • Underneath sinks: Water sensors are great for detecting plumbing leaks in locations hidden from view.
  • Attics: Identify roof leaks promptly and avoid costly damage.

Request water sensors with your Vivint smart home

Give your property the comprehensive protection it requires with Vivint’s advanced components. Our water sensors in Fort Wayne connect to your Vivint smartphone app to deliver immediate alerts whenever your alarm is triggered. You also get built-in temperature sensors to prevent frozen pipes. Learn more about the smart home tools available in Fort Wayne by reaching out to (260) 286-9602 today.