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How does a water sensor work and why connect one to your Charleston smart home?

April 21, 2025
Smartphone app notifies homeowner of water infiltration

One small leak in your home can cause major difficulties and thousands of dollars worth of damage. You must defend against this threat; thankfully, there’s a straightforward way to do so. A water sensor is an effective, simple, and budget-friendly solution. Explore how they work and why you ought to integrate water sensors into your Charleston smart home.

How water sensors protect Charleston properties

Water infiltrates homes in many ways, whether from a plumbing problem, storm-related incident, appliance snafu, or human error. No matter how it happens, you must know immediately, and this is where water sensors come in. But how do they really work? 

Many water sensors are conductive and work with corresponding electrodes. When water comes in contact with the electrodes, an electrical connection is created, setting off your alarm. You’ll also discover capacitive sensors that release an electrical field. When water contacts the conductive areas of these devices, the field is broken, and your alarm triggers. Optical sensors employing infrared LED light are an additional choice.

Get more protection from water sensors

A few advanced water sensors offer even more peace of mind as they feature built-in temperature sensors. This is an effective way to prevent frozen pipes. If there’s a severe decrease in temperature, you’ll know immediately. Taking steps before pipes burst will protect you from flooding and costly repairs.

Why integrate water sensors into your Charleston smart home? 

When water issues happen, you need to be notified at once. You can reach this goal by integrating water sensors into your smart home. Whether you’re home to hear the alarm or not, you’ll get an automatic notification on your cell phone. In addition, your round-the-clock monitoring specialists will be informed. Each second matters in a water emergency to minimize the destruction and interruption to your life.

Where should you install water sensors?

Any spot susceptible to flooding is an appropriate place for water sensors. Consider installing in these spots:

  • Bathrooms: Place at the back of toilets or close to tubs.
  • Basements: Water frequently seeps into lower floors via cracked walls or because of heavy rain or malfunctioning sump pumps.
  • Around water heaters or appliances: Any water-utilizing appliance may leak over time.
  • Below sinks: Water sensors are perfect for identifying plumbing leaks in place not easy to see.
  • Attics: Identify roof leaks quickly and avoid costly repairs.

Request water sensors with your Vivint smart home

Give your residence the robust protection it needs with innovative tools from Vivint. Our water sensors in Charleston connect to your Vivint mobile app to deliver immediate updates whenever your alarm is triggered. You also get integrated temperature sensors to avoid frozen pipes. Explore the smart home devices available in Charleston by dialing (304) 902-6244 today.