When freezing temperatures hit homes, one threat rises above nearly all others: dreaded frozen pipes, which lead to cracked and burst pipes, followed by flooding leaks. This not only causes massive (often hidden) damage to a home, but it’s unpleasantly common, affecting over 250,000 homes each year according to Afterdisaster.com, including our own David Watksy’s childhood home.
Even worse, home insurance doesn’t always cover the extra-high repair costs of this damage (nor the mold problems it may cause in the aftermath), especially if they think it was caused by an issue with maintenance or lack of care.
Fortunately, your smart home can ride to the rescue in the coldest of months, even if you aren’t at home to address emergencies. You can use devices to sense frozen pipes and even prevent water from freezing so the worst never happens: These five home tech systems are the perfect place to start.
Read more: Expert Tips to Prepare Security Tech for the Cold or Snow
1. Tap into temperature sensors in security systems and more
Temperature sensor devices are a bit like smoke detectors: Instead of focusing on your comfort as a thermostat does, they focus on danger signs that something is wrong. That’s particularly useful for catching low temperatures before they start freezing pipes, since you’ll get app alerts or even sirens when sensors trigger. Stick sensors as near pipes as possible and take action if numbers drop well below freezing.
Temperature sensors can be standalone devices or part of a home security system like Arlo’s sensors that can detect both temperatures and water at the same time. You can also find sensors dedicated to frozen pipes, such as TempCube or the app-powered Temp Stick Pro, which even includes a pipe clamp for extra accuracy.
Important note: At this point, you may be wondering if you should use a space heater to rapidly heat pipes when temperatures are too low. It’s usually a bad idea unless you’re really desperate for fast heating. Space heaters may have limited influence on pipes that aren’t exposed and can be huge fire hazards when used incorrectly. Instead, the tech we discuss below is usually a better answer.
2. Use a leak detector in vulnerable areas
Leak detectors are a particularly handy bit of home technology that can fit nearly anywhere and monitor the presence of water. If a leak occurs nearby, the water will complete the detector’s circuit and it’ll send out an alert (some also have drip sensors on top).
A leak detector can’t stop frozen pipes from bursting, but it can give you a much-needed warning sign if they start leaking. Leak detectors can work where the leaks first begin, in crawlspaces and cabinets and closets, and give you warning before significant damage occurs. That allows homeowners to quickly shut off their water and explore the problem. You may still face plumbing repair bills, but you can speedily stop the worst results.
3. Set smart thermostats and use satellite sensors
Smart thermostats make an excellent upgrade to your home that can save you money, but they may also be able to help prevent frozen pipes. The problem is that some areas, especially basements, are harder to heat and it’s more difficult for heated air to reach pipes. That typically means bumping the thermostat degrees up.
Ideally, basement areas and similar spots where frozen pipes are a problem should stay above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. That provides enough of a buffer to keep hidden-away pipes from reaching extra-freezing temperatures that can crack valves or burst pipes entirely.
Adjust your smart thermostat to create safeguards for the coldest parts of your home. Satellite sensors to detect temps far from the thermostat can be especially helpful here: My satellite sensor for my Google Nest Thermostat 4 resides in the coldest parts of my home to influence the thermostat to give a bit more heat when necessary. I may even move it underneath a sink if temperatures dip below 20 degrees (it’s been a mild winter here so far).
4. Equip pipes with a smart water valve
If your winters regularly drop temperatures deep into the freezing digits, you may want to add another layer of protection to your plumbing system, a smart water valve. These valves sense when leaks or other problems occur and can automatically shut off water to a section of plumbing or let you shut it off remotely with an app.
However, smart water valves can be expensive. High-end models like this Moen valve monitor ($500) can learn water-use patterns and watch for abnormalities, but they’ll cost you. Midrange models like this EcoNet valve ($215) won’t have as many options, but still have the ability to connect to a compatible leak detector. Budget models like this Navitree valve ($35) are much more affordable but have limited to no sensors and no extra features.
5. Install temp-sensing heat tape
There’s a final step you can take for guaranteed protection against frozen pipes, most suitable for those who have had frozen pipes before or who know that their neighborhood is susceptible. This involves installing heating cable and heating wrap along your vulnerable pipes so it can heat the pipes directly in the winter and keep the water from ever freezing again.
Heat wrap is fairly affordable — this version costs $45 for 30 feet — and surprisingly smart, including temperature sensors that you can set to trigger at specific temperatures to turn up the heat. They can work with metal or plastic pipes and valves.
For more winter safety info, take a look at how to fully weatherproof your internet, smart thermostat settings to use during winter, and our complete cold weather checklist.
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