Where to Use Leak Detectors

Water damage can rise from toilets, appliances, failing drain pipes, clogged drains or gutters, burst water lines, cracked/frozen pipes, open windows, malfunctioning sump pumps, and more. Each of these problems have to be addressed separately, and Guardian can help you along the way. See below for the top 8 places leak happen, and how you can protect them with Guardian:

Guardian Leak Detector monitoring a toilet.

#1 Toilets

What Can Happen

Most toilet leaks are caused by faulty supply lines, toilet flanges, fill valve assemblies, or backed up toilets.
All of these faults can be detected by placing a Leak Detector adjacent to your toilet.

How to Prevent It

Ideally, every toilet in your home should be monitored for leaks.
If you have multiple toilets in different floors, prioritize monitoring toilets in the upper floors before the lower ones, since leaks on higher floors can damage every floor beneath it. Eventually, add Leak Detectors to your system so all toilets are monitored.

The Guardian Leak Detector monitoring a water heater.

#2 Water Heater

What Can Happen

Most water heater tanks have a 8 to 10 year life expectancy, since throughout its life, the tank will slowly corrode, eventually causing a massive leak.

How to Prevent It

To monitor your water heater for leaks, place a Leak Detector adjacent to the tank and you will receive an alert when a leak is detected.

The Guardian Leak Detector and Remote Sensor Probe monitoring a washing machine.

#3 Appliances

What Can Happen

A worn out or otherwise compromised water supply hose is the main cause of water leaks from appliances, and should be replaced every five years.

How to Prevent It

A Leak Detector placed underneath the water supply inlet can monitor most appliances for leaks.
If there is not enough room behind your appliance for the Leak Detector, it can be attached to the surface with the built-in magnets, and the Remote Sensor can monitor the floor for leaks.

The Guardian Leak Detector monitoring a sump pump.

#4 Rainwater

What Can Happen

Sudden rainfall can enter your home from many places, but Guardian can monitor them to help you save your valuables during a flood.

How to Prevent It

Place Leak Detectors near every exterior door and window, especially those below ground level, for example in your basement.
Place Leak Detectors in your attic, especially if your roof has leaked in the past.
Monitor floor drains, especially if your municipality combines rainwater with sewage.
Finally, monitor your sump pump, with the Remote Sensor dangling in the pit, to alert you before the water spills over.

The Guardian Leak Detector monitoring a floor drain.

#5 Sewage Backup

What Can Happen

Sewage backup, like heavy rainfall, can’t be directly stopped with Guardian, but you can receive an alert when something goes wrong, so you can physically make sure your house is okay.

How to Prevent It

To monitor for sewer backups, place leak detectors near floor drains and toilets.

The Guardian Leak Detector monitoring an air filter.

#6 HVAC System

What Can Happen

Your HVAC system can cause water damage, either because of faulty drain line or because of tray/base overflow.

How to Prevent It

To monitor for condensation, place Leak Detectors near the air handler, specifically near the condensate pump or drain line.
Place Leak Detectors near your humidifier to monitor for faulty water supply lines.

The Guardian Leak Detector monitoring a sink drain

#7 Sinks and Sink Drains

What Can Happen

Sinks cause water damage, either because of a faulty plumbing supply line, a clogged drain, or because it was left on by accident.

How to Prevent It

Place a Leak Detector underneath any sink to monitor it for leaks. You can optionally attach a Remote Probe to monitor an adjacent fixture or appliance, for example a dishwasher or toilet.
Leak Detectors underneath kitchen sinks can also monitor for leaking garbage disposals.

#8 Frozen Pipes

What Can Happen

Because water expands when it freezes, your pipes can crack if the water inside freezes during severe cold weather.

How to Prevent It

All Guardian Leak Detectors detect freezing temperatures and will alert you and shut off your water in near freezing temperatures.
If your plumbing runs along exterior walls in uninsulated spaces (such as in an unfinished basement, to an exterior hose bib, or inside a kitchen cabinet,) place Leak Detectors nearby to monitor the local temperature. If possible, ventilate the area with fresh warm air to prevent the air from getting too cold.

How Leak Detectors Work

The Leak Detector offers three separate sensors – the Top Sensor, Bottom Sensors, and Remote Sensor – to let you monitor all parts of your home. Keep in mind that water should make direct contact with the sensors for the moisture to be detected.

Top Sensor
The Top Sensor detects the first few drops of a leak. Use the Top Sensor if you can access the area directly underneath potential leaks. Examples of uses include underneath toilet valves, sink drains, or water inlet hoses. The rear cutout of the Water Detector lets you place the sensor directly next to a wall even with quarter-round molding.
Bottom Sensors
The Bottom Sensors detect leaks after the water reaches the ground and starts to spread. Use the Bottom Sensors if the appliance or fixture you wish to monitor is on a flat surface and water will travel along the floor in a predictable path. Examples of uses include water heaters, bathtubs, or basement doors.
Remote Sensor Probe
The Remote Sensor Probe can detect leaks in confined spaces and also rising water levels. To use the Remote Sensor Probe, plug it into the 3.5mm input jack on the Valve Controller or a Leak Detector. You can use the Remote Sensor Probe at the same time as the other sensors. If there is no room for the Leak Detector on the floor, use the built-in magnets to attach it to a metal surface. Examples of use cases include sump pumps, floor drains, or underneath appliances.