Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Flood Alarm needed, advise us!

Howdy all,

My mother in law owns a condo that has a penchant for bursting pipes and all sorts of wet&soppy problems. I can't remember how many times she's flooded or nearly flooded.


Anyhow, she's recently had her plumber, who loves her dearly, lol, install a valve to shut the water off completely in her house before she leaves.

She's had the entire condo replumbed as much as is practical (and even the new ones bust, nobody can figure it out, and nearly every condo in the complex has this problem).


Anyhow, I remember seeing on TV one day a flood warning device that called a pre-programmed phone number (like your cell phone) when it detected a flood--- it attached to your floor in flood-prone areas like the washing machine, and phone cord plugged into the nearest phone jack.


I don't know what's out there and Google gave me info overload, much of which seemed either "As seen on TV" gimmicky garbage, or was just confusing.


Can someone refer me to a reputable flood warning system that does something similar to what I've described?

There are numerous such devices, ranging from simple sensors that can connect to an input zone on a standard security system, to wireless sensors for several of the major alarm wireless systems to several different brands of dedicated flood sensing systems with their own dialers. A fair number have an interface that actuates a valve shutoff if water is detected.

It's all about what features you want, and how much you are willing to pay.

Thanks Ron, your responce confirms what I suspected: I'm a fish out of water here.


We are eyeballing this as a Christmas gift for her.

Simplicity is what we are after (ie, the less complicated the installation and use is, the better).

What would you consider for the best in the bang-for-the-buck category? We would prefer a self-sustaining system that doesn't require monthy bills or service subscription.

I like the valve shutoff feature. Can you recommend a brand or system that I can contact and get more info from?

Thanks a HEAP for the help!

Hmmm, most of these systems retail in the 200-300 dollar range. I've heard decent things about the Water Cop brand, and theres another made by Skylink. Your best bet is to websearch using the phrases: "Flood sensor" "leak detector" and "flood prevention". There are a _lot_ of these products on the market. You just have to shop them and evaluate the vendors for yourself.

I was thinking about the same thing and googled and googled for options... I line the WaterCop my self...

They sell a starter kit for around $360 That includes the cutoff valve for the HOME and 3 remote sensors. It provides a dry contact to add to a auto dialer or alarm system.

http://www.watercop.com/


You can add an auto dialer like:
USP AD-2000 Voice Dialer
Part#: USPAD2000
Manufacturer Part#: AD2000

It will call a bunch of phone numbers and leave voice messages and it can also call pagers.