- Sensors are a game changer, no doubt. I used to rely on the old “look and sniff” method, but after a tenant called about a soaked carpet at 2am, I started putting leak detectors in every unit.
- Still, I don’t trust tech alone. Batteries die, WiFi drops, and sometimes those alerts come in late. I make it a habit to check under sinks and behind appliances every few months—caught a pinhole drip behind a fridge once that would’ve wrecked the floor if I’d waited for an alarm.
- Caulk and pipe wrap are cheap insurance, but you’re right, there’s always that one spot you forget.
- Not a fan of crawling around in crawlspaces either, especially in winter. I’ll do it if I have to, but I’d rather pay a handyman than freeze my knees off.
- If you’ve got older pipes, it’s worth looking into auto-shutoff valves too. They’re not cheap, but they can save you a ton if something bursts while you’re away.
- At the end of the day, it’s about layers—manual checks, tech, and a bit of luck.
Honestly, I think too many people put all their faith in gadgets and forget the basics. You can have every sensor under the sun, but if you don’t know where your main shutoff is, you’re asking for trouble. I’ve seen folks panic during a burst because they couldn’t find it in time. Do you label your shutoff valves, or just hope everyone remembers where they are?
Couldn’t agree more—tech is great, but if you can’t find the shutoff in a crisis, you’re sunk. I label every valve, and I keep a laminated map in the utility closet. Tenants forget, especially under stress. Relying on memory alone is just asking for a mess.
Had a situation last winter where a tenant called me in a panic—water pouring from the ceiling, total chaos. She’d lived there for years but still blanked on where the main shutoff was. I’d labeled everything, but in the heat of the moment, she just froze. That’s when I realized even the best labels don’t always cut it under stress. Now I walk new tenants through the shutoff routine every lease renewal, just to drill it in. It’s not foolproof, but it helps.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen walkthroughs go in one ear and out the other, especially if it’s been a while since move-in. Even with reminders, people panic. I’ve started leaving a laminated “emergency cheat sheet” right by the front door—big arrows, step-by-step, even a photo of the shutoff. It’s not perfect either, but sometimes muscle memory just isn’t there when folks are stressed. Maybe a combo of both is the way to go?
