Flood/Water automation? How to be notified about a flood/water issue?

[RichTJ99]

Hi,

I was curious, I have seen a few products that will give an audible alarm if it detects water (such as a washing machine flooding, or something else like that).

Is there a piece of hardware that will work with home automation?

Ideally what I would like is a "detector" that I could put on my floor in the basement (which happens to be 15 feet from my Homseer server), that would alert homeseer & I could set an event to send text messages, or flicker lights, siren, etc.

Is there such a product out there?

Thanks,
Rich

 

[IVB]

I use a Waterbug water sensor with the Elk, but if you have some other zone monitoring solution that'll work with it too.

 

[RichTJ99]

I use a Waterbug water sensor with the Elk, but if you have some other zone monitoring solution that'll work with it too.

Im just starting to look into getting a basic keypad for the entry & garage entry doors. I was hoping to do some sort of cheapie alarm that would pretty much only work if Homeseer was up & running. Maybe a DSC system?

I dont suppose theres some wireless sensor (RFX compatible or something like that) that would detect water?

 

[IVB]

No idea about the wireless. Also, i don't know what alarm panels HomeSeer has drivers for, you'd need that.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Lots of solutions, of course budget will dictate which ones are feasible for you.

If you are looking to get out of this as cheap as possible maybe consider getting a W800 RF receiver and use a DS10a along with a leaf wetness indicator. This isn't as robust as I would like for a critical indication like this, but it would work for cheap. <_<

http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php...at=0&page=1

http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php...at=0&page=1

http://www.hobby-boards.com/catalog/produc...roducts_id=1544

Another solution would be to dedicate more money to your "infrastructure" and get something like an Elk, Ocelot (with SECU16I), or many other digital input compatible modules and use these hardwired inputs. This is more expensive, but you will have greater capability in the long run.

You mentioned wanting a security system. You could possibly use one of those inputs for this sensor as well. I know Elk and Caddx work with HomeSeer (I have used both).

 

[RichTJ99]

Robbin,

I was looking at that leaf wetness sensor & I cant quite figure what your supposed to do with it. Should the DS10A leads both be attached to the wetness sensor? Then when the circuit board gets wet, the DS10A senses moisture?

While understanding that X10 isnt very reliable, it certainly is an inexpensive solution for me (as I already have a few DS10A's sitting around & a W800 as well).

Is it that simple? If the wetness sensor board gets wet, does that ruin the board (one alarm per board)?

Thanks,
Rich

Lots of solutions, of course budget will dictate which ones are feasible for you.

If you are looking to get out of this as cheap as possible maybe consider getting a W800 RF receiver and use a DS10a along with a leaf wetness indicator. This isn't as robust as I would like for a critical indication like this, but it would work for cheap. <_<

http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php...at=0&page=1

http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php...at=0&page=1

http://www.hobby-boards.com/catalog/produc...roducts_id=1544

Another solution would be to dedicate more money to your "infrastructure" and get something like an Elk, Ocelot (with SECU16I), or many other digital input compatible modules and use these hardwired inputs. This is more expensive, but you will have greater capability in the long run.

You mentioned wanting a security system. You could possibly use one of those inputs for this sensor as well. I know Elk and Caddx work with HomeSeer (I have used both).

 

[heffneil]

A long time ago I put a Watercop in my mother's house. She was installing a washer an dryer in the upstairs and I was concerned about leaks. Anyway its is a wireless sensor and it transmits to an electricl valve which would be hard plumbed in to the main water inlet. We tested it with the test button and it worked as advertised. I wasn't in to the HA / Alarm stuff so I don't know if there were contacts for alarm integration but I would be there are.

Neil

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

I was looking at that leaf wetness sensor & I cant quite figure what your supposed to do with it. Should the DS10A leads both be attached to the wetness sensor? Then when the circuit board gets wet, the DS10A senses moisture?

While understanding that X10 isnt very reliable, it certainly is an inexpensive solution for me (as I already have a few DS10A's sitting around & a W800 as well).

Is it that simple? If the wetness sensor board gets wet, does that ruin the board (one alarm per board)?

Yes, it is that simple. I have tested this. You just connect the wires to the leaf wetness sensor (instead of the included magnetic contact sensor). The new ones on HobbyBoard's site will not be harmed when exposed to water. When they dry out, they will toggle the DS10a back to "open".

Also, FYI, regarding using the DS10a with the W800, this does not use the "typical" X-10 powerline protocol. <_<

 

[rosenqui]

If you're worried about flooding due to sump pump problems, you can wire a simple float switch into an automation or alarm panel since it will look like any other contact closure sensor.

For something like a leaky washer or hot water tank, you can use a unit like this one to automatically close the supply valve when water is detected, and it can optionally be hooked into an automation/alarm panel to trigger other things.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Also, on that topic, you can get some pretty cheap float sensors HERE (seven bucks). If they are going to be submerged you need to get THIS adapter. Again, these could be used with a DS10a.

 

[gatchel]

I use the waterbug devices. They work well.

 

[aehusted]

Also, on that topic, you can get some pretty cheap float sensors HERE (seven bucks). If they are going to be submerged you need to get THIS adapter. Again, these could be used with a DS10a.

I am preparing to finish my basement and I would like to get all the water sensing apparatus installed or at least prewired before the contractor starts. I installed a new condensation pump that has a built-in N/O failure float switch and wired that to the M1G. Piece of cake.
Next in line will be a pump failure alarm for the main sump and possibly a wastewater/sewage sump as well. For these applications, i assume the switch you refer to above will be adequate since they will not normally (or ever hopefully!) be submerged.
The trickier question is what to do about the french drain and appliances. I would like to add sensors in the french drain at a few perimeter locations as well as around the laundry, dishwasher, etc. When I read through the docs for the WaterBug and Moisture Meter, I did not see any reference to how long the leads to these sensors could be. I am also still unclear on whether these devices are really necessary if I already have the M1G. Can the M1G just be directly connected to the sensors or is some sort of middle man like this necessary?
Also, in the WaterBug doc, it mentions that the contacts are steel. Unless I am missing something, this would seem to be a bad choice for a long term sensor (like the ones I plan to have behind my basement walls). The gold plated leads on the moisture leaf sound much more environmentally durable.

 

[drozwood90]

BSR, have you used these?

Does the register have to stay powered at all times to either be "open" or "Closed"?

Whoops...I was referring to these:
http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php...at=0&page=1

I must have gotten my threads crossed.

--Dan (now in Rochester, NY)

Lots of solutions, of course budget will dictate which ones are feasible for you.

If you are looking to get out of this as cheap as possible maybe consider getting a W800 RF receiver and use a DS10a along with a leaf wetness indicator. This isn't as robust as I would like for a critical indication like this, but it would work for cheap.

http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php...at=0&page=1

http://www.automatedoutlet.com/product.php...at=0&page=1

http://www.hobby-boards.com/catalog/produc...roducts_id=1544

Another solution would be to dedicate more money to your "infrastructure" and get something like an Elk, Ocelot (with SECU16I), or many other digital input compatible modules and use these hardwired inputs. This is more expensive, but you will have greater capability in the long run.

You mentioned wanting a security system. You could possibly use one of those inputs for this sensor as well. I know Elk and Caddx work with HomeSeer (I have used both).

 

[Spanky]

Simple contacts in which the water shorts out can connect directly to an ELK M1 input zone. In our training we show how a two conductor stripped wire dipped into water can trigger the water alarm on the M1. The contacts need to be stainless steel or contacts made for the purpose of water sensing, otherwise the contacts could corrode with time.

GRI (George Risk Industries) make water contact sensors. Water Sensor.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Hi drozwood90,

I used the mechanical (non-automating) registers in my house so I can't help you with an answer.