Have you ever considered how much a minor water leak can cost? Fixing small water leaks can save homeowners about 10% on their water bills, which really adds up if left untreated.
Water leak sensors are essential tools to prevent significant damage and financial loss in your multi-family building. These devices work by sensing even the smallest amounts of water before it becomes a larger issue and sending the user an alert within seconds. By promptly addressing leaks, you can avoid costly repairs to flooring, walls, furnishings, and not to mention the potential for mold growth.
In this post, we'll explore how water leak sensors work, why they're important for property owners, and how they can ultimately save money by preventing water damage.
Water Damage
Water leaks often go unnoticed for long periods of time, causing damage to the building that continues to worsen. The damage caused by water leaks can jeopardize the structure of the building, harming the tenants. Water damage can appear in many different ways. It's important to be able to identify it to ensure safety and reduce restoration expenses.
Structural Water Damage
Hidden Water Damage
Mold and other issues can go unnoticed until serious damage appears. Mold is capable of causing damage to the structure, but it is usually more hidden than structural damage. Mold grows slowly over time and is less likely to be covered by insurance because it signifies long-term neglect.
The Cost of Water Damage
An average household leak can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water each year which is a significant addition to any water bill. In addition, the cost of water damage restoration can become quite high as it is dependent on several factors. These factors include the extent of the damage, the size of the affected area, the type of water involved (clear, gray, black), and the location.
Source of Water & Class
The source of water affects how much it costs and is split into 3 categories. The dirtier the water gets, the more it costs to repair the damages.
Category 1: Clearwater- From a sanitary source, doesn’t contain contaminants
Category 2: Gray water- Contains some contamination, cause illness/discomfort
Category 3: Black water- Contains pathogens and is considered highly contaminated. Furthermore, Ingestion can result in severe illness or death
The size of the damage also matters and affects the cost of repairs as well. Water damage is also split into the following categories.
Class 1: Smallest water leaks (portion of the room)
Class 2: Damage to a whole room
Class 3: Water has permeated every part of the room (or rooms)
Class 4: Hurricane/Flood damage
Other Factors Influencing Repair Costs
Extent of Damage- Severity and spread of water damage significantly impact costs
Affected Area Size- Larger areas require more equipment, labor, and time to restore
Structural Damage= If water damaged the ceilings, walls, or floors, they have to be replaced
Time Delay- Longer water is untreated more mold growth which takes a lot of cleanup
Materials- If furniture is affected costs to replace will be based on what they are made of
Labor costs- Rates charged by professionals can vary based on location, expertise, and complexity of the job.
Average Costs of Water Damage
The average cost of water damage restoration is between $1,300 and $5,600. However, these costs can range anywhere from $450 to $13,000.
Clean up cost by category
Category 1: $3 to $4 per square foot
Category 2: $4 to $7 per square foot
Category 3: $7 to $7.50 per square foot
Clean up by class
Class 1: $150-$500
Class 2: $550-$1,000
Class 3: $1,100-$3,200
Class 4: $20,000-$100,000
Labor can cost from $70 to $200 per hour
The extent of damage also adds to the cost (Ceiling, Walls, Roof, etc.)
Use of Sensors
Perceptive Things® helps to prevent water damage from happening by providing sensors that send alerts and information using their IoT Platform, preventing thousands of dollars from being spent.
Why and How Sensors Are Useful for Prevention
Sensors notify stakeholders if there’s a leak before they notice it. This makes it easy for property owners to prevent a leak early on before the damage gets any worse.
Leak sensors can really help facility managers and property owners because they play a major role in guaranteeing safety and keeping costs for the property under control.
Maintenance teams are another beneficiary because they can use these sensors as a preventative measure to spend less time on repairs. The third benefactor includes tenants because their satisfaction and comfort are of the utmost importance.
Leak Detection
Smart sensors are extremely effective at detecting leaks. Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills, as the amount of water leaked annually is the equivalent of 270 loads of laundry.
Types of Sensors
Droplet Solo™
The Droplet Solo™ is an industrial grade IP-67(waterproof) rated tool that can be placed virtually anywhere, such as on the ground under fixtures, appliances, and mechanical equipment, and requires no installation.
Droplet Duo™
The Droplet Duo™ is a great option for those who are more focused on precision. This sensor has dual-probe water leak sensing technology. It's like having two sensors in one, and each sensor comes pre-configured for your property and is easy to install. Each sensor body and probe includes 3M adhesive pads for secure attachment to surfaces and has a battery life rated for 4 to 5 years.
Droplet Pro™
The very precise Droplet Pro™ is an industrial-grade moisture sensor that uses a 3-meter rope to detect the presence of moisture along its entire length. The sensor body has internal magnets, so the unit can be mounted to iron surfaces like mechanical equipment or beams and also has a rated battery life of 4 to 5 years.
Droplet Zone™
Finally, the Droplet Zone™ has a 40cm square plastic membrane that can detect moisture across a large surface. The Droplet Zone™ is perfect for sliding under appliances, sink cabinets, and anywhere where you want to protect more than a single point or linear space. With a 10-year battery life, you can rest easy knowing every water-prone zone in your property is covered.
All the sensors come tested and pre-configured. Installation can be completed within a few minutes and they alert the user in a few seconds.
Final Thoughts on How Water Leak Sensors Can Save You Money
Investing in water leak sensors is not just a precautionary measure but a proactive strategy that can save you from having to pay significant costs and prevent extensive damage in the long run. By quickly detecting leaks and alerting you of potential issues, these devices allow property owners to take swift action, decreasing the risk of structural damage, mold growth, and costly repairs. As technology continues to advance, integrating smart water leak sensors into your building not only enhances safety and efficiency but also reinforces your ability to keep yourself and others safe.
Helpful tips on detecting leaks in your household:
Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used.
If the meter does not read the same, you probably leak.
An easy way to find out if you have a toilet leak is to place a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank.
If color shows up in the bowl within 10 minutes without flushing, you leak.
Targeting problem areas for repair or replacement is critical for effective resource management and water conservation.
Have you ever experienced a water leak in your commercial building? How did a water leak sensor help you mitigate the damage?
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