water leaks

Years ago when I owned a condo across town I came home one night to hear what sounded like a sprinkler running. When I opened the front door I found the upstairs toilet supply line had failed and was spraying water in the bathroom, and down the stairs, and into the basement. By the time I got it shut off there was about a foot of water in the basement.

You can probably guess that the thought of a repeat disaster makes me jumpier than a cat on a hot tin roof.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when Mark happened to be in the bathroom of our current home when, you guessed it, the toilet supply line failed. And the shut off knob failed too. So a quick trip outside to the house water shut-off diverted total disaster.

We were very lucky we were home. And not on vacation, or even just at work.

That got me thinking of a simple automated solution. The criteria I used for my equipment search was: 1) Inexpensive 2) Works with Alexa 3) Doesn't need a hub. So I'm trying out: 1) smart water leak detector WiFi flood sensor for $21.37 and 2) Smart WiFi water shut off valve for $29.99. The sensor has a rechargeable battery with easy to access micro USB recharging port. The shut off valve has an ac adapter for power.

Both devices connect thru the Smart Life app which already includes the ability to create simple automation such as "if the water sensor triggers an alarm turn the valve to off"

I'm starting with one sensor located near the washing machine, hot water heater, and frig. Once I feel like this setup will do what I want it to do I'll start buying additional sensors for the bathrooms and for under the kitchen sink.

Oh, and of course, it all connects thru Amazon Alexa as well. 

All I have left to do at this point is find some time to install the shut off valve outside. I'll probably take care of that this weekend.