All About Water Leak Alarms

Flooding and water damage. Two things that home and business owners try to avoid at all costs. Not only does water damage cause losses to property, but the lasting effects of water damage on a home or building can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs!

What if we told you that installing a water alarm in your home could potentially save you thousands of dollars in water damage repairs? Water alarms are fairly inexpensive, and the advantages to owning an alarm far outweigh the alternatives.

Advantages of Water Alarms

Prevent Mold and Mildew.

• With water damage you run the risk of mold and mildew problems.  Where there is standing water, there is a breeding ground for mold. High moisture areas are especially prone to mold breakouts. Aside from being an eyesore, mold can also lead to health problems. Mildew is its own issue and can cause odors that are nearly impossible to ignore.
• By the time mold is detected it can be too late to remove it on your own, and a professional may need to be called in to take care of the job for you. Mold remediation can be costly depending on the amount of mold and how much it has spread through your home.
• A water alarm will alert you to high moisture levels that can lead to mold and mildew that you may not typically see with the naked eye, not only saving your home from costly repairs, but your family from potential health risks as well.

Detect a Burst Pipe.

• It’s winter time and frozen pipes are more common during the cold months, especially here in Montana! Burst pipes are a nightmare for business owners, but the good news is a water alarm can be your savior when it comes to frozen and burst pipes.
• The alarm will not only alert you to the water coming from a burst pipe, but some alarms will even turn on pipe heaters when the temperature drops below a certain level! For business and home owners that aren’t constantly checking on their exterior (or interior for that matter!) pipes, this is a great way to keep the flooding at bay. 

Watch Those Appliances!

• Appliances like washers, refrigerators with ice-makers, or dishwashers all have water lines running into them… leaving them susceptible to water leaks. With these types of appliances slow leaks tend to go unnoticed as they literally happen behind the scenes of the machine itself. Cracked lines or old washers/connectors can cause hundreds of dollars in water damage to your home.
  
• A water alarm can be installed directly onto the appliance. It will detect when a leak is occurring and make a noise, alerting you that something isn’t quite right. You can then shut off the water supply and figure out where the leak is before the water becomes a larger issue than just a small drip.

Water alarms range everywhere from $25 for a small wireless option to larger professional alarms that can range into the hundreds of dollars. All models are available at hardware stores, where you will be able to consult with an expert on what will work best for your needs.

If you’re already dealing with water damage caused by a burst pipe or other flooding, the professionals at Alpha Omega Disaster Restoration’s emergency water damage team are standing by. Contact us today 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – and we will work to restore your home as quickly as possible.