Protect your home against leaks and conserve water with these 4 smart plumbing products.
Whether you live with a roommate or you’re wrangling three kids, a dog and a partner, it’s difficult to keep track of everything that goes on in your home. Smart home products can help you track and manage the things that matter most.
And when it comes to your home’s plumbing, what matters most is preventing drips and leaks, reducing water waste and having greater control over where your water flows.
Water Damage
In a 2017 survey, 45% of homeowners reported they or someone they know has experienced water damage. The damage can not only wreak havoc on your plumbing system, but it can also cause property damage, the loss of irreplaceable personal items and mold.
Water Waste
Additionally, the average American family wastes 9,400 gallons of water per year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That’s the equivalent of 300 loads of laundry.
But you can avoid this water damage and waste. Smart plumbing products can help protect your home and provide you with insights to help you conserve water. Read on for the top trends in smart plumbing technology for the home.
Smart Leak Detectors
Because leaking pipes can happen to anyone at any time, you need a smart plumbing system that helps stop costly water damage. Leak detectors give you control over your water system with detailed water usage stats and real-time leak alerts – whether it’s a major leak or just a small drip behind the wall.
Get a pulse on your water with the StreamLabs Monitor to collect data on home water usage and get notifications of abnormal usage, like a running toilet or a leak. You can easily strap it on your main water line without cutting the pipe.
Get added protection against leaks with the StreamLabs Control. Installed directly into the water line by a professional plumber, the Control has the capabilities of the Monitor with the added feature of a remote water shut-off valve. This means that you can shut off your water wherever you are through the free app and stop leaks in their tracks.
The StreamLabs Control smart water device can be installed in your home’s main water line.
Smart Appliances
Want to improve your home’s water efficiency without interrupting your day? Install smart appliances and fixtures, like toilets and faucets, designed to help you use less water.
Smart Toilets
In addition to reducing the amount of water needed to flush, smart toilets often come with overflow sensors to prevent water from spilling over the bowl. For example, if a smart toilet has a clog, it can detect that the water level is rising and wait to fill again until the clog is removed.
Depending on the model, your smart toilet may also come with features like automatic flushing, bidet capabilities, air drying, heated seating and Bluetooth technology so you can listen to music while you go.
Smart Sinks & Faucets
Smart faucets and fixtures for bathrooms and kitchens also feature water saving technology. For instance, some smart kitchen sinks can be voice activated to dispense a cup of water for a recipe or turn off the water while your hands are full.
Voice-activated faucets also reduce the need to touch the handles, which can help limit the spread of germs.
Man washing his hands using a smart home faucet.
In the bathroom, you can install a digital faucet that allows you to program the temperature of your water before turning it on, instead of wasting water while it warms up. This is also helpful in protecting kids’ hands from scalding water.
Greywater Recycling System
Leftover water from activities like handwashing, showering and laundry — known as greywater — can be recycled for reuse. A greywater recycling system helps collect, filter and distribute the used water to toilets, irrigation systems, washing machines and more.
Greywater Systems vs. Manual Collection
While you can collect greywater the old-fashioned way by placing containers in your sink or shower to capture the excess water, it’s easier and more efficient to automate the process with greywater recycling systems. Some greywater products even let you control how the greywater is used via your smartphone.
Recycling greywater is especially useful in states where water conservation is crucial, such as California and Arizona. Because some municipalities have restrictions on how you can use greywater in your home, be sure to check your local laws before purchasing a greywater recycling system.
A smart home irrigation system sprinkler watering a yard.
While there are a few smart sprinkler controllers that will work with garden hoses, most are designed to integrate with existing sprinkler lines or irrigation system in a home. Smart home irrigation controllers offer scheduling options featuring motorized valves and tubing to control water flow.
Some systems even connect to Wi-Fi and use information like weather and plant types to adjust your sprinkler’s schedule. Keep in mind that if you’re mounting a smart irrigation controller outside, you’ll likely need a weatherproof enclosure for the system.
By utilizing smart irrigation systems, which can be controlled from smartphone apps, you can conserve more water while keeping your yard looking immaculate.
Read: Irrigation System Leaks: How to Spot Them and Stop Them
Learn More
Before adding any smart home technology to your home, research your options thoroughly and hire a trusted plumber for installation.
StreamLabs is proud to be a part of the growing smart water market to help homeowners gain more transparency into their water usage and protect their home. To learn more about StreamLabs water leak detectors, compare our products to see if one of our devices is right for your home.