I get where you’re coming from, but I’m still a little wary of relying too much on tech. My neighbor’s WiFi went down during a storm and his leak sensor didn’t alert him—he only found out when water started pooling in the hallway. I keep a plumber’s number handy just in case, even though I do use the apps. Guess I just like having a backup for my backup...
I’ve seen that happen more than once—tech’s great until it isn’t. At my last job, we had a “smart” shutoff valve that was supposed to catch leaks, but when the power flickered, it just sat there useless. I’m all for gadgets, but nothing beats knowing who to call when water’s pouring out of the ceiling. Apps are handy, but I’d never trust them alone... too many variables.
Had a similar situation with a “smart” sump pump once—thing was supposed to text me if it detected water, but when the WiFi went down during a storm, it just blinked at me like a confused robot. Ever tried explaining to your insurance company that your app “forgot” to warn you? Curious if anyone’s actually had a tech gadget save the day, or is it mostly just old-school phone calls when things get messy?
Honestly, I’ve seen both sides of this. Tech can be a lifesaver, but only if you’ve got backup power and a solid connection. I’ve had leak sensors ping my phone while I was out, and that heads-up probably saved me a couple grand in repairs. But yeah, when the WiFi drops or the app glitches, it’s basically just an expensive paperweight. Old-school phone calls still feel more reliable when it really hits the fan, but I wouldn’t write off the gadgets completely… just gotta know their limits.
I hear you on the tech front—I've got smart sensors too, and they've saved my hardwood floors from disaster more than once. But honestly, nothing beats having a trusted plumber’s number handy when things go sideways. I try to keep both in my toolkit. Tech is great for catching small leaks early, but if a pipe bursts, I’m not waiting for an app to load... I’m dialing right away. Also, those battery backups for routers are a game-changer if you want your alerts to work during outages. Just my two cents—use both, but don’t rely on just one method.
