Over the years, we have found that having several water detector alarms has saved us from damage. And an inexpensive Harbor Freight model has been our choice. Escapees magazine planned to write up our findings.
Attached is our one time claim to fame, but before it could be published in Escapees' magazine, it was killed because Harbor Freight says it no longer sells our favorite water alarm. But we still wanted to share the write-up.
After the piece was cancelled, I searched for replacements and just found these items.
Home Depot shows a Harbor Freight clone:
Reliance Controls Model # THP205 Internet # 202216508
Reliance Controls Sump Pump Alarm-THP205 - The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reliance-Controls-Sump-Pump-Alarm-THP205/202216508?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-100038838-_-202216508-_-N#specifications)
Home Depot also has a similar alarm:
Basement Watchdog Model # BWD-HWA Internet # 100038838 Store SKU # 854911 Battery-Operated Water Alarm
Basement Watchdog Battery-Operated Water Alarm-BWD-HWA - The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Basement-Watchdog-Battery-Operated-Water-Alarm-BWD-HWA/100038838)
We bought a unit that monitors the temperature in our S&B and has a sensor that monitors for water (a wire that lays on the floor).
If the parameters are triggered (low temp & water present) the unit then sends out a call over the phone, in the priority we specify.
Last year, while standing in a store, the DW's phone received a call that the temp was below 55 degrees--the low limit we set--enabling us to call our "housesitter" to let them know to check on the house and reset the thermostat up to 60 degrees. Even though we have 6" walls it was so cold last winter that setting temp at 55 degrees was too low.
The sensor/alarm cost $38 for peace of mind and was well worth it when it triggered because of the cold. Imagine what it would have cost for repairs after a freeze and subsequent thaw!
I like the idea of the alarm in our coach, but question how good it would be if we weren't there? I know, I know, we should turn off the water when we go away, but turn it off every time we go for a walk or go to the rec hall?
Those that don't keep city water pressure on and run on water pump all the time, can easily turn off water pump switch when going for a walk. Adding another switch by the door may be easy and practical to help assure pump is off when heading out the door.
Water leaks are like 7 year old tires as problems may not happen right now, but when they do, the damage may be much more than we can bear.
Great idea to have remote Internet alarms. Great way to use high-tech to help us.