When we talk about home security, we often think about cameras, alarms, and motion sensors that sound an alarm when someone is trying to break in. Yes, these things are important, but there is a bigger threat to your home, and it is already inside your four walls.
We’re talking about fire, water, and carbon monoxide.
These environmental factors are often more costly, more dangerous and more likely than a break-in. Choosing a security system that includes environmental alarms such as water detectors, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors will not only alert you when you are home, they will protect your most valuable investment when you are away.
Your normal, everyday smoke detector only alerts you to a few hazards.
All Environmental Detectors are Not Created Equal
For the sake of argument, let’s pretend your dishwasher begins to leak just after you leave for work.
It is possible to go to your local hardware store and purchase environmental detectors such as a water detector and install it under your sink, near your washing machine, next to your dishwasher, or in another area where water is likely to enter your home. These detectors emit a loud, high pitched noise when they sense water and can alert you to turn off the water to your home before catastrophic damage occurs.
But what if you’re not home to hear the alarm?
Tied in Environmental Sensors Make Sense
Now, consider the difference a water detector can make when it is tied into your home security system. A leak under the sink triggers an alert in your monitored security system. You are immediately notified of the issue and can either call a plumber to meet you at your property or go shut off the main water valve to your building yourself. Suddenly, rather than dealing with three feet of water throughout your property, you may have an eighth of an inch of water in the location where the leak occurred.
Remote Shut Off Valves + Tied In Environmental Sensors Can Save Your Home & Sanity
An example of a flo Logic automatic electronic remote shut-off valve
If having environmental sensors tied into your home security system is better than sensors alone, adding an electronic remote shut-off valve is considered the Cadillac in home protection.
Going back to our scenario, let’s say your water sensor is triggered and the home security monitoring company cannot reach you. They will begin to go down the list of people you have designated as emergency contacts to alert them of the situation. All the while, water is pouring into your home causing damage to your structure and belongings.
Having an electronic, remote shut off valve installed into your main water line can effectively eliminate water damage in your home. Should a water sensor be triggered, your main water line can be turned off remotely by your security monitoring company until you can assess the situation. No more soggy carpet, no more ruined hardwood floor, no more damaged sheetrock, no more insurance claims.
While preventing an invasion is an important aspect of security, preventing damage due to environmental causes is just as important. For more information on how HS Tech can help you protect your property from water, smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide, call us today.
