Yeah, I’ve learned the hard way that water damage is sneaky. Once had a tenant swear it was “just a little leak”—turned out the subfloor was rotting underneath. I’d rather spend on sensors than deal with insurance headaches and repairs later. Mold’s no joke.
I’d rather spend on sensors than deal with insurance headaches and repairs later. Mold’s no joke.
Totally agree—mold creeps up fast and it’s a pain to get rid of. I always check under sinks and around toilets every couple months, just in case. Even a tiny drip can turn into a big mess if you miss it. I started putting water alarms near the washer and water heater after a friend’s basement flooded... cheap insurance, honestly.
Honestly, I used to think those water alarms were overkill until I started helping out on some real jobs. You’d be surprised how many people don’t notice a slow leak until the drywall’s mushy or there’s that weird musty smell you can’t quite place. A few months back, we got called out to a rental where a pinhole leak behind the fridge line had been dripping for who knows how long. By the time the tenant noticed, the whole wall cavity was soaked and there was this gnarly patch of black mold. Insurance covered some of it, but the landlord still had a huge headache—and the tenant had to move out for weeks.
I get why people balk at the idea of spending money on sensors or alarms, but in my experience, it’s way cheaper than ripping out cabinets or replacing floors. Plus, insurance companies love to find reasons not to pay up if they think you weren’t “diligent.”
That being said, I do think there’s a point where it gets a bit much. Like, some folks want a sensor on every joint or valve, and honestly, most leaks happen in the same handful of spots—under sinks, behind washers, near water heaters. That’s where I’d focus first. And yeah, regular checks help, but nobody catches everything. Middle of the night pipe bursts are brutal… I still remember my uncle waking up to water pouring down the hallway at 3 AM because a supply line popped. He just stood there in his boxers, staring at the ceiling like he’d seen a ghost.
Anyway, I’m all for a little prevention, but you don’t have to go full robot-house to avoid a disaster. Just pay attention to the spots that matter most, and don’t assume a tiny drip will stay tiny. They never do.
Had a similar situation last winter—tenant called at 2:30 AM, water everywhere because a washing machine hose split. Here’s what I learned the hard way: 1) Always use braided steel hoses, not the cheap rubber ones. 2) Main shutoff valve should be easy to access and labeled (tenant had no clue where it was). 3) I started putting water alarms under washers and water heaters after that. Not everywhere, just the high-risk spots. It’s not overkill if it saves you from tearing out half a floor... but yeah, you don’t need to go nuts with sensors in every corner.
Main shutoff valve should be easy to access and labeled (tenant had no clue where it was).
You’d be surprised how many times I’ve seen the shutoff valve hidden behind a pile of paint cans or worse, drywall. I’d add—test the valve every year. Nothing like finding out it’s stuck when you actually need it. Water alarms are smart, but I’d argue a little regular maintenance goes further than a dozen gadgets.
