There are over 14,000 water leaks happening per day in the U.S., so it's safe to say water leaks have become quite common, which is rather concerning. These leaks also tend to come with big bills and even bigger headaches. Between the clean-up, loss of personal belongings, and insurance claims, water leaks are among the worst disasters renters, landlords and homeowners alike can face.
Preventing these leaks would be ideal, but mitigating risks quickly is definitely possible. Fortunately, smart home technology has advanced to the point that many of these leaks can now be caught instantly and prevent massive disasters through small, but mighty, leak sensors.
Whether you’re planning on implementing leak sensors or upgrading your current equipment, reach out to our experts at SmartRent who can help you plan, install and manage your leak sensor program.
When Disaster Strikes: The True Cost of Water Damage
Between damages and removal, water leaks cost an average of $13 billion dollars annually in the U.S. Individually, these insurance claims are about $10,000 each, coming in at a higher price tag than those unrelated to water damages. Not only are these rather costly to repair, but the waste of water in this situation is notable in itself. About 14,000 people experience water leaks every day, and each of these affected homes can account for an average of 10,000 gallons of wasted water. At the end of one year, this leads to about one trillion gallons lost.
How can the number be so high? Well, water leaks don't always rush in all at once. Some water leaks can go undetected for days, weeks or even months. The leaky faucet or toilet that's always running are culprits in water waste and lead to significant water damage in the long run.
However, there are a few tell-tale signs of hidden water leaks that residents, owners and site teams can keep an eye out for.
A musty odor
Mold or mildew growth
Damaged/chipping wallpaper or wall paint
Staining on floors, wall or ceilings
An inexplicably high water bill
Small Devices, Big Protection: Leak Sensors
While water leaks aren’t always preventable, they certainly can be stopped quickly thanks to proper detection devices like leak sensors.
By the Numbers
These small devices deliver a big punch when it comes to protecting properties and mitigating risks. SmartRent's leak sensors are one of the most valuable devices we offer our clients. To date, 47 percent of our properties have had water leaks detected on-site and we've even caught a staggering 3,991 leaks! That's just shy of 4,000 disasters we've helped prevent, saving over 7,800 floors from being damaged. What's even more shocking is the fact that the first leaks are typically detected within 93 days of implementation. That means clients can see ROI just after three short months of adding leak sensors to their properties. And that’s not including all the money saved on costly insurance claims.
When it comes down to how our leak sensors deliver such powerful protection, the answer is twofold. The first is the proper placement for instant detection and the second is the connection between these sensors and our advanced smart home technology.
To avoid extensive damages and benefit from quick alerts, where you place water leak sensors is crucial. These are small devices and can essentially fit anywhere; however, clients must make sure to place these in areas that are susceptible to leaks like sump pumps, water heaters, sinks and appliances.
SmartRent’s leak sensors can then detect any abnormalities and possible water leaks instantly. Once a leak is detected, teams and residents immediately receive both a push notification from the SmartRent app and an email advising them of the detection. A work order within our Community Manager software is then created so teams can quickly attend to leaks, assess any damage and prevent more residences from being affected.
When it comes to our solutions, we don't just provide clients with smart home technology. We also guide you through the process and offer you some best practices to help you get the most out of our solutions. For example, we typically advise clients to include 2-3 leak sensors per residence. However, this does depend on the size of the residence, as larger spaces would require more leak sensors for maximum results.
Protecting Your Properties
Through our leak sensors, clients can save an average of $10,000 per insurance claim. By making an upfront investment, property owners can save themselves thousands upon thousands of dollars per year and avoid the headaches associated with water damage. These small devices help keep properties occupied, safe and free from major disasters.
Stop worrying about when disaster will strike and schedule a quick call with one of our experts to learn how you too can add this valuable piece of protection to your properties.