Water Alarm Detectors Help Prevent Costly Damage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2009

Water leaks can happen anytime and anywhere there are water pipes or hoses – sometimes in locations that are not highly visible. Leaks often occur under the kitchen or bathroom sink or under appliances such as the dishwasher. By the time the leak is noticed, there may already be serious damage to the flooring or appliance. Repair can be costly as well as inconvenient. Even slow leaks can cause serious damage.

"Leak detection takes more than keen eyes. The water alarm was developed to detect even the smallest amounts of water before damage can occur," says Pat Hildebrand, consumer and family economics educator with University of Illinois Extension. "Placing a water alarm in critical spots throughout your home will help protect against the destruction and expense of water damage."

Hildebrand says that repair and replacement costs from water damage often range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. According to the May 2002 issue of the Wall Street Journal, every year more than 5 million water heaters rupture. Each year in the U.S. and Canada, washing machine hose failure amounts to over $150 million. Other leading causes of water damage are from icemakers, dishwashers, and frozen or broken pipes.

The water alarm detector is a self-contained electronic device that sounds an alarm when water is detected in your home. When the battery runs low and needs to be replaced, the electronic horn will produce a short beep. Damp locations and high temperatures may reduce the battery life, so check it regularly to see if it is working properly.

For more information about selecting and using water detection devices, contact your local U of I Extension office or view the Solution Series web page at http://www.solutions.uiuc.edu

Source: Pat Hildebrand, Extension Educator, Consumer and Family Economics, 217/347-5126