Yeah, those smart leak sensors are more trouble than they’re worth sometimes. I’ve seen them go off just from a humid day. Foam sleeves are underrated—super easy win. I’d add, if you’ve got exposed pipes in a crawlspace, a cheap clamp light with a low-watt bulb can help keep things above freezing too. Not fancy, but it works.
I hear you on the smart sensors—had one in a basement utility room that kept tripping every time the dehumidifier kicked off. Drove me nuts till I just unplugged it. Those clamp lights are old school but honestly, they’ve saved more pipes than any fancy gadget I’ve seen. I’ve even used a heating pad wrapped around a stubborn elbow joint once... not pretty, but it got us through a cold snap. Sometimes simple just works better.
I get the appeal of the clamp lights—cheap, easy, and you know exactly what they're doing. But do you ever worry about leaving them unattended for long stretches? I’ve had tenants unplug them “to save electricity,” then call me when a pipe bursts. How do you keep folks from messing with your setups?
I’ve had tenants unplug them “to save electricity,” then call me when a pipe bursts.
That’s the tricky part, right? I get nervous about leaving clamp lights running all night, especially in older basements with questionable wiring. Have you ever tried using hardwired heat tape instead of clamp lights? I’ve found it’s a bit less “tamper-able,” but then you’ve got to wonder if folks will still mess with breakers or try to shut it off some other way. Do you label your setups or leave instructions, or is that just wishful thinking with tenants?
I’ve actually had tenants flip breakers thinking they were “helping” with the electric bill, even after I labeled everything. Honestly, I trust heat tape more than clamp lights for safety, but nothing’s truly foolproof if folks are determined to meddle. Sometimes I wonder if a big red “DO NOT TOUCH” just makes it more tempting...
