"Towels are great until they're soaked through and dripping all over the place... been there, done that."
Haha, yep, been down that soggy road myself more times than I'd like to admit. Boot trays are a solid upgrade for sure—smart move. Another handy trick I've picked up is keeping a small handheld wet vac nearby. Saved my sanity more than once when things got unexpectedly splashy under the sink. Plus, it's weirdly satisfying sucking up water puddles... or maybe that's just me?
Wet vacs are handy, but honestly, I'd rather tackle the root issue—good shut-off valves and leak detectors under sinks save headaches (and cash) in the long run. Towels and vacuums just mop up messes after the fact... prevention beats cleanup every time.
Leak detectors are great in theory, but honestly, how reliable are they long-term? I've seen a few that either give false alarms or just stop working quietly after a year or two. Shut-off valves, though—totally agree they're worth the effort. Installed quarter-turn valves under my sinks last summer, and it's been peace of mind ever since. Curious if anyone's had better luck with specific leak detector brands or setups...
- Totally get what you're saying about leak detectors. I've installed a bunch for customers, and honestly, reliability is hit or miss. Some brands seem to hold up better than others, but even the good ones can glitch out after a year or two.
- From what I've seen, the simpler setups tend to last longer. Those fancy Wi-Fi connected ones are cool at first, but they can be finicky over time—software updates, connectivity issues, etc.
- Had decent luck with basic battery-powered detectors from Zircon. They're not flashy, but fewer false alarms and pretty durable overall. Still, I wouldn't rely on them 100%—regular visual checks are still your best bet.
- You're spot-on about shut-off valves though. Quarter-turn valves are a lifesaver when something goes wrong. Good call installing those under your sinks; makes repairs way less stressful down the road.
- Bottom line: leak detectors are helpful as an extra layer of protection, but nothing beats solid plumbing practices and regular maintenance. Sounds like you're already on the right track with those valves.
Gotta say, I've had better luck with the Wi-Fi ones than you're describing. Sure, they're a bit finicky at first, but once you get past the initial setup headaches, mine have been pretty solid. Had one alert me while I was on vacation—saved me from a flooded basement. Still agree they're no substitute for regular checks though...and yeah, quarter-turn valves are gold. Learned that lesson the hard way!
