Keep Your Pipes Flowing: Innovative Smart Devices to Combat Freezing!

When subzero temperatures strike residences, one concern stands out above nearly all others: dreaded frozen pipes, which can cause cracked and burst pipes, leading to flooding leaks. This not only results in significant (often concealed) harm to a residence, but it’s unfortunately frequent, impacting over 250,000 residences annually according to Afterdisaster.com, including our own David Watksy’s childhood abode.

Even more troubling, homeowner insurance often does not address the inflated repair expenses of this damage (nor the mold issues it might incite afterward), particularly if they suspect it resulted from a maintenance problem or negligence.

Fortunately, your smart home can come to the rescue during the coldest months, even when you’re not present to handle emergencies. You can utilize devices that detect frozen pipes and even avert water from freezing to ensure the worst doesn’t occur: These five home technology systems are an excellent starting point.

Read more: Expert Advice to Prepare Security Technology for Cold Weather or Snow

1. Utilize temperature sensors in security systems and more

Devices with temperature sensors resemble smoke alarms: Rather than concentrating on your comfort as a thermostat does, they focus on warning signals that something is amiss. This is particularly valuable for identifying low temperatures before they initiate pipe freezing, as you’ll receive notifications or even alarms when sensors activate. Position sensors as close to pipes as feasible and take action if readings drop significantly below freezing.

Temperature sensors can either function as standalone devices or be integrated into a home security system like Arlo’s sensors that can detect both temperatures and moisture simultaneously. Additionally, there are sensors specifically designed for frozen pipes, like TempCube or the app-controlled Temp Stick Pro, which comes with a pipe clamp for enhanced accuracy.

Important note: At this juncture, you might be pondering whether utilizing a space heater to quickly warm pipes during excessively low temperatures is advisable. Typically, this is a poor choice unless you are in dire need of rapid heating. Space heaters may have limited effect on enclosed pipes and pose significant fire risks when misused. Instead, the technology we discuss below is usually a better solution.

2. Utilize a leak detector in at-risk areas

Leak detectors represent a particularly useful piece of home technology that can be placed almost anywhere to monitor water presence. When a leak happens nearby, the water completes the circuit of the detector and it triggers an alert (some also come equipped with drip sensors on top).

A leak detector cannot prevent frozen pipes from bursting, but it can provide a crucial warning if they begin to leak. Leak detectors can be effective in the initial leak spots, such as crawlspaces, cabinets, and closets, alerting you before extensive damage takes place. This enables homeowners to quickly shut off the water and investigate the issue. Though you might still incur plumbing repair expenses, you can swiftly halt the worst outcomes.

3. Configure smart thermostats and utilize satellite sensors

Smart thermostats represent an excellent improvement for your home that can result in cost savings, but they might also assist in preventing frozen pipes. The challenge is that certain areas, particularly basements, are more difficult to heat, making it tougher for warm air to circulate to the pipes. This typically necessitates increasing the thermostat settings.

Ideally, basement areas and similar places prone to frozen pipes should maintain temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This provides sufficient buffer to prevent concealed pipes from reaching extremely low temperatures that can damage valves or cause pipes to burst.

Adjust your smart thermostat to implement safeguards for the coldest areas of your residence. Satellite sensors designed to detect temperatures far from the thermostat can be invaluable in this context: My satellite sensor for my Google Nest Thermostat 4 is located in the coldest areas of my home to prompt the thermostat to emit a bit more heat when required. I might even reposition it beneath a sink if temperatures dip below 20 degrees (we’ve experienced a mild winter so far).

4. Install a smart water valve for pipes

If your winters routinely plunge to freezing temperatures, consider adding an additional layer of security to your plumbing, such as a smart water valve. These valves detect when leaks or other issues arise and can automatically cut off water supply to a plumbing section or allow remote turns off via an app.

Nevertheless, smart water valves can be costly. Premium options like this Moen valve monitor ($500) can learn patterns of water usage and detect irregularities, though they come at a price. Intermediate models such as this EcoNet valve ($215) may lack numerous features but can still connect with compatible leak detectors. Budget-friendly models like this Navitree valve ($35) are considerably more economical but feature limited or no sensors and lack additional functionalities.

5. Implement temperature-sensing heat tape

There is one final measure to ensure protection against frozen pipes, particularly suitable for those who have previously dealt with frozen pipes or are aware that their neighborhood is vulnerable. This involves affixing heating cables and heating wraps along susceptible pipes to directly warm them during winter, keeping the water from freezing.

Heat wraps are relatively inexpensive — this version costs $45 for 30 feet — and surprisingly intuitive, featuring temperature sensors that you can program to activate at specific temperatures to increase the heat. They can be compatible with both metal and plastic pipes and valves.

For more information on winter safety, check out how to thoroughly weatherproof your internet, smart thermostat settings to implement in winter, and our comprehensive cold weather checklist.