Upgrading your home’s plumbing can provide many benefits, such as preventing leaks and reducing the chances of water damage. Updating your plumbing system can increase your home’s value and make it more attractive if you choose to sell it in the future.
Upgrading to smart plumbing technology can be especially beneficial in these regards. This article will explain smart plumbing and highlight various smart plumbing devices and technologies that you should consider for your home.
What Is Smart Plumbing?
Smart plumbing is similar to any other type of smart technology. This means it uses Wi-Fi-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) devices to accomplish specific goals, such as conserving water, preventing damage, or improving hygiene. Like many other types of smart home technology, some smart plumbing devices are designed mostly with convenience in mind and are meant to make people’s lives easier.
Smart Leak Detection
Plumbing leaks are a major concern and something you should always watch out for. Not only do even small leaks waste a lot of water and contribute to higher water bills, but there is also the potential for leaks to cause extensive water damage or lead to mold growth inside your house. This is where smart leak detection devices can be extremely beneficial, as they alert you to any leaks. That way, you can take immediate action by shutting off your water and calling a plumbing company.
Some smart leak detection devices are fairly basic and consist of a Wi-Fi-enabled moisture sensor and an alarm. This device is helpful for spotting water leaks from appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, and especially water heaters.
If an appliance starts leaking and the moisture sensor gets wet, the device’s alarm will go off to alert you immediately of the leak. The alarm is usually loud enough that you can hear it throughout your house. Most devices can also send a notification to your phone if they detect a leak.
Smart Water Monitors
Smart water monitors are advanced leak detection devices that can identify leaks in plumbing systems. They can detect issues such as running toilets, leaky pipes, or dripping faucets and showerheads. This type of device connects to the house’s main water line and works by monitoring water usage, flow rates, and water pressure.
The device is sensitive enough to detect if there is a faucet in the house that is just dripping once per minute. It can also accurately distinguish between the normal flow rate and pressure when you are using your plumbing and the changes in flow rate and pressure caused by any type of leak.
In addition to alerting you to any leaks in your home, a smart water monitor is also an easy way to conserve water and reduce your utility bills. That’s because you can use the connected app to check how much water you’re using in an hour, a day, a week, and so on. You can then use this information to identify ways to reduce your water usage.
For instance, you’ll be able to immediately see the difference in how much water you use if you only shower for 10 minutes instead of the usual 15 to 20 minutes. Monitoring your usage during the summer is especially beneficial for reducing waste and minimizing the amount of water you use for watering your lawn, flowers, garden, and more.
Smart Water Shut-Offs
Some smart water monitors also include or can be upgraded with a smart water shut-off feature. If the water monitor detects any signs of a plumbing leak, it can automatically activate the shut-off valve on your main water line.
This means you won’t have to worry about water continuing to leak and causing flooding and damage to your home if a leak occurs while you’re away. You’ll also receive a notification on your phone if the shut-off ever activates, allowing you to know if you need to leave work and call a plumber to take care of the problem.
Smart Toilets and Faucets
Smart toilets and faucets can have a variety of different features designed for convenience or improved comfort. For instance, you can install new plumbing fixtures like toilets that feature heated seats or speakers that play music to drown out the sound of someone using the bathroom.
Some smart faucets include features like an LED light that shows the water temperature or voice-controlled activation that allows you to command the faucet to turn on and off. With voice control, you can also instruct the faucet to measure a specific amount of water, which is both convenient and reduces waste.
Smart toilets and faucets are also great for improving hygiene and helping to keep everyone in the household healthy. For instance, many smart toilets have automatic flushing and self-cleaning features. These features help keep the toilet cleaner and reduce the spread of germs by eliminating the need to flush the toilet by hand when you’re done.
Motion-activated faucets are also great for helping to prevent the spread of germs and for keeping your kitchen and bathroom cleaner and more sanitary. If you’ve been handling meat, you’ll no longer need to turn the faucet off by hand, which can contaminate the handle. Being able to turn on the water when your hands are full is also very convenient.
Smart Sump Pump Systems
A sump pump is the best way to prevent flooding in your basement or crawl space. The concern is that sump pumps sometimes suddenly fail or stop working. This is where a smart sump pump system can be beneficial, as it further reduces the chances of flooding.
For instance, many systems have a moisture sensor and an alarm near the top of the sump basin that will alert you if the basin starts getting too full and is at risk of overflowing. This type of feature is especially useful if your home has a primary and a backup sump pump. If the moisture sensor gets wet, the system will automatically switch on the backup pump, so you won’t have to worry about your basement or crawl space flooding.
Some systems also have a smart sump pump monitor. With this feature, you can receive an alert anytime your sump pump turns on or use the connected app to check how long it runs at a time. Monitoring the run times is an easy way to know if your sump pump is still working effectively.
Longer-than-normal run times are a sure sign that the pump isn’t pumping as well as it should and likely needs to be replaced, serviced, or repaired. You can also receive an alert if the power to the pump goes out. If your pump has a battery backup, you’ll get a notification if it starts running on battery power as well.
Since 1956, Matheson Heating, Air & Plumbing has been providing top-notch services to homeowners and business owners in Commerce and the surrounding areas. We offer custom plumbing solutions and are ready to help upgrade your home with smart plumbing technology.
To schedule a service call with the most trusted plumbing team in Southeastern Michigan, contact us today.