For Hard-to-See Water Leaks, SimpleSENCE Makes Perfect Sense

There’s no sugarcoating it. Water leaks, left undetected, can be devastating -- structurally, financially, and emotionally. Walls and floors destroyed. Furniture ruined. Lives disrupted. The toll it takes not only on the home but on the inhabitants is often incalculable.

And then there are the costs. Most people’s homeowner’s insurance policy should cover any sudden and unexpected water damage due to a plumbing malfunction or broken pipe. But most home insurance policies exclude damage to a home that occurred gradually, such as a slow, constant leak under the sink that could have been spotted earlier. Also, some damage, such as mold, may be excluded from a standard insurance policy, depending on the cause. Then there’s the cost of temporary lodging, if needed. It is likely covered by insurance but, depending on your policy, may be capped at a certain limit. So there’s more expense and even more disruption. 

While not as devastating, there is also the huge waste of water – not only an economic burden but a terrible waste of a natural resource. Fact is, the average North American has severe leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. The shame of it is that, if detected quickly, the vast majority of these scenarios would not occur, and the horrible destruction would never happen.

However, it’s important to remember that not all leaks are created equal. There are the relatively innocent leaks that drip water from the source into the drain or sewer line, like a leaky faucet; these leaks waste water and cost money but don’t cause damage. They are easily seen, and just as easily remedied. Then there are leaks inside walls or floors that are not visible to the eye. These leaks can do their damage for weeks, months, even years without being noticed. Unfortunately, these leaks usually don’t show themselves until major damage has already been done.

But then there are leaks in areas that can be seen but are not immediately visible unless you look for them, such as under sinks, next to hot water heaters, and under damaged roofs. These are the ones for which water leak detectors were created. In fact, used properly, these detectors can instantly notify the homeowner of a leak, and it can be taken care of immediately, avoiding the home- and life-rattling issues we’ve already described. What’s more, they can save the homeowner more than 3,000 gallons of wasted water per year, according to the EPA,

Of course, this doesn’t even take into account the cost of freezing pipes. In cold weather, pipes that aren’t properly enclosed inside the home’s insulation barrier can freeze solid and then burst open. In fact, if pipes aren’t properly protected they tend to freeze whenever outside temperatures drop below 20 degree Fahrenheit, according to The Weather Channel. Depending on the extent of the damage, total cleanup cost can be $5,000-$70,000 or more: State Farm Insurance estimates the average insurance claim from frozen pipes is about $15,000.

            In this era of resource conservation – as well as growing acceptance of smart devices in general – there is an increasing demand for water leak sensors and other devices that can help control water consumption and, more importantly, waste. What’s more, the severe and long-lasting damage that a water leak can cause can prove to be a strong incentive to purchase a quality water sensor, especially given the relatively low price point.

            In a recent market report, research firm Technavio forecast that the global smart home water sensor and controller market will post a CAGR close to 5% from 2018-2022. The increasing need for equipment to reduce the water waste across the globe has motivated vendors to introduce smart home water sensors and controllers equipped with features such as easy setup, alarm system, Wi-Fi direct connect, etc.

These numbers bode well for a product like SimpleSENCE, as does this figure: The Wi-Fi segment accounted for more than 52% of the total revenue of the global smart home water sensor and controller market in 2017. As a Wi-Fi device, SimpleSENCE does not require additional equipment, subscription costs, or the purchase of a smart home control hub. This is a major plus for homeowners who simply want to detect water leaks or frozen pipes but do not wish to invest in an entire, smart-home ecosystem.