How to prevent catastrophic water leaks

Water leaks are disruptive and expensive; ask me how I know.

“Reuben, pray tell, how do you know?”

Thanks for asking! My last water episode happened in 2021, when my under-sink water heater sprang a leak after just a couple of years. It ruined the room below, and it took a disaster company almost six months to put everything back together. You can find the whole story here: My kitchen disaster.

Shortly after that, I installed a leak-prevention system called Guardian, made by Elexa Consumer Products. It was easy to install, and it saved my butt when my next water heater leaked again after less than three years. I bought it at Lowe’s for $300, and I consider the system paid for… which makes this next part a little easier to stomach.

My Guardian system no longer works. After switching my wifi network name, I couldn’t get the Guardian to connect to my phone again. I literally spent hours messing with it, I tried the online help, sent emails, made phone calls… nothing. I got absolutely no responses from the company, so I’ve ditched the system. But I’m not willing to go without a water leak detection system in my home, so I recently purchased and installed another system. The new one is called the YoLink DIY Automatic Water Leak Detection & Shut-Off Starter Kit. I found it on Amazon for $359.99.

The YoLink system

This system consists of a water valve controller that mounts onto your main water valve, a battery-powered hub, and four remote sensors that’ll turn off water to your home if a leak is detected. There are other systems out there that monitor water flow and will turn off water to your home if excessive flow is detected, but I’m not interested in those systems. Some of the more common leak locations are at dishwashers, ice makers on refrigerators, and washing machines. I want a system that’ll shut off water even from tiny leaks, and this is just the product.

It took me approximately seven minutes to remove my old Guardian device and install the new YoLink valve controller. And then it probably took me about an hour to mess around with my phone and get all of the remote sensors activated and strategically placed around my home. I put them at the under-sink water heater, the dishwasher, behind the fridge, and next to my washing machine. And now I sleep better.

If you don’t have a leak-prevention system installed at your own home, I recommend investing in one. Installation is quick and easy, and this system could save you a lot of time and money if it performs just once.