Water Sensors -- where?

[dutchyn]

In our new construction, I'm planning to put a water shut-off value (Elk WSV), and rules triggered from water sensors. My idea is to put one

1. under each toilet
2. under the refrigerator (which has a water line)
3. under the dishwasher
4. under the clothes washer
5. in the mechanical room (which has a 1500 gallon storage tank)

In others' experience and wisdom, do these locations make sense? Where else might you want one?

I'm not certain it makes sense to have another WSV on the storage tank drain, to allow the system to drain the tank in the case of a leak -- because the floor drain is where the storage tank would leak to anyway.

Chris D.

P.S. If anyone is interested, I checked with the local fire department about having a standpipe from the storage tank for fire-department use (we're in an acreage subdivision, so no fire hydrants) -- they said don't bother!

 

[Digger]

In our new construction, I'm planning to put a water shut-off value (Elk WSV), and rules triggered from water sensors. My idea is to put one

1. under each toilet
2. under the refrigerator (which has a water line)
3. under the dishwasher
4. under the clothes washer
5. in the mechanical room (which has a 1500 gallon storage tank)

In others' experience and wisdom, do these locations make sense? Where else might you want one?

I'm not certain it makes sense to have another WSV on the storage tank drain, to allow the system to drain the tank in the case of a leak -- because the floor drain is where the storage tank would leak to anyway.

Chris D.

P.S. If anyone is interested, I checked with the local fire department about having a standpipe from the storage tank for fire-department use (we're in an acreage subdivision, so no fire hydrants) -- they said don't bother!

I put a sensor under each sink in case the water feed or the drain leaks. In my case the kitchen sink drain has leaked 3 times in the past 8 years (the plumbers putty dries out around the sink drain itself) and the sensor shuts off the water and the ELK announces the location. Works great!

 

[TeleFragger]

what kind of water sensor is this?

I am installing a concord 4 alarm system and bought a water detector.....
$40 I think... it will trip if alarm is on or off... wife is soooo worried as our basement flooded once and we lost alot of valuable stuff..including my gaming rig!!!!!!!

 

[Digger]

what kind of water sensor is this?

I am installing a concord 4 alarm system and bought a water detector.....
$40 I think... it will trip if alarm is on or off... wife is soooo worried as our basement flooded once and we lost alot of valuable stuff..including my gaming rig!!!!!!!

You can use the GRI 2 wire devices (less than $15 each I think) on a regular zone and program it as a 24 hour non alarm zone on many panels. I think the Concord can be programmed that if a zone trips trigger a relay that would shut the water valve to close similar to the ELK etc.

 

[dtreyes]

what kind of water sensor is this?

I am installing a concord 4 alarm system and bought a water detector.....
$40 I think... it will trip if alarm is on or off... wife is soooo worried as our basement flooded once and we lost alot of valuable stuff..including my gaming rig!!!!!!!

You might want to check this out:
Checking for water leak:
Zone 6 - Analog input with 470k resistor and copper wires at the end,
giving 13.9 volts when dry and 3.7 when soaked in water.
230 (O6) - Lighting device to indicate the ON and OFF status
Output 57 - flag to announce in 15 minutes interval

RULES:
TO SENSE WATER LEAK
WHENEVER EVERY 2 SECONDS
AND WS-Basement (Zn 6) IS LESS THAN ANALOG VALUE 10.0 VOLTS
AND WS-Basement (Zn 6) IS GREATER THAN ANALOG VALUE 0.0 VOLTS
AND WaterLeakAnnounce (Out 57) STATE IS OFF
THEN TURN WaterLeak sensor (Out 14) ON
THEN TURN ws-Basement [230 (O6)] ON
THEN DISPLAY "water leak" IN HOME (Area 1) INDEFINITELY,[*] CLEARS, ....
THEN TURN WaterLeakAnnounce (Out 57) ON FOR 15 MINS
THEN ANNOUNCE WS-Basement (Zn 6)

TO RESET
WHENEVER EVERY 2 SECONDS
AND WS-Basement (Zn 6) IS GREATER THAN ANALOG VALUE 10.0 VOLTS
THEN TURN WS-Basement [230 (O6)] OFF
THEN TURN waterLeakAnnounce (Out 57) OFF

I also placed one sensor under the water heater for leaking and under the central humidifier

 

[sic0048]

Don't forget the water heater either - but if it is in the mechanical room, you might just need the one sensor near the drain.

Definitely put one under each sink. This is one leak that is usually not discovered for a long period of time and can cause some real damage before being found.

 

[kgingerich]

also if you have clothes washer/dryer or any HVAC stuff on the 2nd floor you'll want a sensor under those.

perhaps also one at the top of your sump pit in the basement set to alarm if it trips. Turning off the elk water valve might not help a sump pit overflowing

 

[IVB]

Near the furnace. Turned out my furnace's float switch was done busted, wasn't draining out the pipe but rather all over my god damn floor. My furnace is next to the water heater though, so it was "the right place" either way.

 

[dutchyn]

Thanks for all the valuable input. Now I need a bunch more water sensors. Should I post my plans to get more critiques?

Chris D.

 

[CollinR]

How many valves are you guys putting in?

 

[aehusted]

A simple float switch is probably fine for the sump. I just added a little one just above the water level that would trigger the pump.

The condensation pump for my AC and the sewage pump for the basement powder room both have alarm contacts built in. The condensation pump one has already come in handy. Both of these units are less than a year old so this is probably becoming standard.

As far as the appliances go, make sure you locate the sensors where the water will actually flow to. When someone puts the wrong soap in my dishwasher, it bubbles over from the front. The water mostly heads out toward the kitchen rather than back underneath. The last thing you want is to have a sensor somewhere that the water puddles AWAY from.

 

[Sacedog]

I thought I figured out everywhere that I wanted to put a water sensor. I have them wired under every sink, toilet, fridge, dishwasher, water heater, tub, and the washing machine (24 in all). I never thought of putting them in the overflow pan of the AC units!!! Another 3 zones........

 

[dtreyes]

I also wrapped the 2 copper wires around the pvc tubing that extends on the roof (this is the drain exhaust, I believe) and wrap it again with sponge to hold the water to detect possible leak from the roof.