How to Install a Water Leak Detection System
Leak detector systems alert you of leaks in your home and turn off the water before damage occurs, which could save you thousands in repair costs.
Kits like this well-rated Guardian by Elexa Leak Prevention System GVD3, $350, are easy to set up. (Check our water leak detector ratings for more options, and read our water leak detector buying guide as you shop.)
Spec Check
Your pipes should be a half-inch to 1 inch wide, with a quarter-turn ball shutoff valve and 4½ inches of space around it.
Illustration: Guilherme Henrique Illustration: Guilherme Henrique
Secure the Shutoff
Clamp the shutoff unit onto the pipe so that the center fork fits on the valve. Plug in the power adapter.
Illustration: Guilherme Henrique Illustration: Guilherme Henrique
Place the Sensors
Connect to the app and WiFi, then place water sensors by sinks, toilets, and water heaters.
Illustration: Guilherme Henrique Illustration: Guilherme Henrique
Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the November 2021 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
