Yeah, sensors can be hit or miss depending on the brand and setup. Have you tried testing yours with a small amount of water to see how quickly they react? I've seen some cheaper ones take forever to trigger, which kinda defeats the purpose. Like you said though:
"nothing beats a quick eyeball check regularly..."
Exactly—tech is handy, but it won't replace common sense. Learned that after a 3 AM basement flood myself... fun times.
I've had a few of those late-night plumbing adventures myself... never fun. You're spot on about sensors—some brands are just too slow or unreliable. After my last basement flood, I ended up installing redundant sensors from different manufacturers. Overkill maybe, but it helps me sleep easier.
Redundant sensors aren't overkill—just smart planning. Seen too many floods turn ugly fast because folks trusted a single sensor. Curious though, did you also install automatic shut-off valves or just rely on alerts?
Automatic shut-off valves are definitely worth it if you can swing the cost. Sensors are great for alerts, but if you're asleep or away, there's still a delay before you can respond. I've helped install a few of these valves, and they're pretty straightforward—usually goes something like: shut off main water, cut pipe section, fit valve, reconnect pipes, test thoroughly. Peace of mind is huge...especially after you've mopped up a flooded basement at 3 AM (been there, done that).
I've thought about installing one of those automatic valves, but do you ever worry about false alarms or malfunctions? Like, what if it randomly shuts off while you're in the shower covered in soap? 😂 Seriously though, how reliable are these things long-term? I'm all for peace of mind, but I'd hate to trade midnight flooding for midnight troubleshooting...
