(Part 2) Best household sensors & alarms according to redditors

http://www.amazon.com/UEi-Test-Instruments-CD100A-Combustible/dp/B000HHTY7Q

Lots of others have mentioned great projects, so let me give you a general overview of what you should know, and then you can tackle just about anything.

For every project:

• Watch youtube videos for whatever you want to do until you're pretty comfortable. Make sure the person looks professional. "This old house" is a great resource.
  
• ALWAYS take off jewelry and things like wallet chains. Wedding bands are especially notorious for electrical accidents or something awful called "Degloving." Google if you want to be horrified or have an iron stomach when looking at gore.
  
• Most projects are "Safe" if you know how to disengage and engage the shutoffs and what to watch out for.
  
• Assume whatever you're using is going to spread everywhere (sawdust) or get on things you'd never expect (spray foam on the nice rug 10' away). So cover them or move them.
  
  Electrical:
  
  
• Buy a non-contact voltage tester. It'll tell you if you're about to shock yourself or not. Check it every time you walk away and come back. I also put masking tape over breakers I'm working on just in case somebody walks by and decides it needs to be flipped.
  
• Always work with your right hand only (even if you're left handed). This is to keep a shock from traveling through your heart, which is on your left side of the body. Don't work on a wet/damp surface. Wear thick wool socks and shoes or boots with lots of rubber left on them.
  
  Plumbing:
  
  
• find your whole-house water shutoff, and the shutoffs (if they're there) for the sink or wherever else you're working.
  
• Also, if you do anything with compression fittings, under-tighten them (never over-tighten). Turn the water on (just a bit) and if it's dripping, do a quarter turn and wipe dry with a towel. Repeat until it's no longer dripping. If you overtighten them, they'll leak and you can't undo it without replacing the fitting. It took me 5 trips to Home Depot to learn this...
  
  General:
  
  
• Never climb a ladder without somebody else around. Always take the time to go down it, if you have to fiddle with changing drillbits or something, or have the helper-person take care of it (and hold the ladder when needed). It doesn't matter how good your ladder is, if you're pushing against a wall with a drill, you can easily destabilize yourself.
  
• Buy a deadman's switch that plugs in like an extension cord, and swap it to any saw or cutting device you are using (even the dremel). Alternatively, spend a few more bucks and get a variable speed foot pedal.
  
• Don't do anything you don't feel like you "know" enough to do, yet.
  
• Learn how blades buckle in saws, and about kickback, before using power saws.
  
• Use a GOOD stud detector before going into the wall. If you hit something hard and you aren't sure what it is, back the drill out and take a look. You could be hitting a water pipe, an electrical cable, or are just unlucky and hit a nail in the stud.
  
• Use goggles and hearing protection. Your ears don't feel pain. Power tools are louder and more damaging than they sound like.
  
• Working with chemicals? Use a gas mask (I like a full painter's mask that incorporates eye protection, because they don't fog like goggles can with a mask on).
  
• Working with dust, use a dust mask or gas mask.
  
• If you have gas mask, you have to seal the cartridges or they go bad fast.
  
• Go to Walmart (because it's much cheaper) and buy a gallon of their solvents before working with chemicals. Know which solvent works on what. Buy low VOC mineral spirits (if available), and acetone. Mineral spirits is going to be for exterior/oil paints, shellacs, and stains. Acetone is going to be for spray foam, certain adhesives, etc. Get an empty tin can with a lid for storing the "used solvent." Btw, I reuse my solvent several times, basically as a "prewash." The sediment falls to the bottom.
  
• If you're working with something creating sparks (angle grinder) be aware of where those sparks are flying, have a nearby fire extinguisher, and if you can, dampen the area first (like mop your garage floor). Angle grinders combined with dust, sawdust, and/or scrap wood has started fires.
  
• If working with oil based products/mineral spirits, learn how to properly dispose of things like brushes and rags, they can spontaneously combust if left in a heap!
  
• Be aware that on high-end drills, there's a button that can lock them into "always on" mode.
  
  Tool List
  
  
• Non-contact voltage tester (and other useful items)
  
• 3M Full Face Gas Mask There's cheaper chinese knockoffs. You have to buy cartridges (get a set for dust and at least one set for VOC - aka gasses like mineral spirits and ammonia)
  
• Variable Speed Foot Pedal Can be used like a deadmans switch by fully depressing.
  
• Water/leak alarms for peace of mind or sudden failures
  
• Stud finder with live AC and metal detection
  
• Hearing Protection
  
• Goggles (observe where the vents are and if it looks like dust can easily fall into them) or just use the face mask
  
• Acetone
  
• Mineral Spirits
  
• Metal, lidded, disposal bucket. A paint bucket with a lid also works. Note that paint buckets are a different kind of plastic specifically made to resist solvents.
  
• A large pack of disposable gloves (make sure they aren't something you or a helper are allergic to, eg latex).
  
• Inspection Camera
  
  Projects to avoid as a beginner
  
  
• Major reconstruction (wall removal)
  
• Retaining walls over 1' tall
  
• HVAC
  
• Tile
  
• Traditional wood plank flooring (BUT engineered/click-lock is super easy)
  
• Plumbing that isn't compression fittings or threaded (aka, plex/sharkbite/welding)
  
• Anything on the roof
  
• Anything attached to the outside of your home (where you might inadvertently create leaks or rot in your exterior walls)
  
• Precise woodworking (altering your cabinets in your kitchen)
  
  Projects I'd always recommend hiring out
  
  
• Tile with real stone, metal or glass
  
• Granite anything
  
• Decks (probably, although make sure the deck builder knows how to properly attach to a house. 70% of decks in the USA aren't and are causing rot and damage)
  
• Structural engineering (wall removal/additions, tall retaining walls)
  
• Most HVAC
  
• Solid wood plank floor or refinishing. (Refinishing is possible, it's just a good 10 hours of work per 50 sqft, or more, super dusty, and makes the house pretty unlivable. Easy to screw up. Best to get an experienced pro in to do it quickly).
  
• Anything near your "mains" that feed into your breaker-box (the part coming from the electrical company). Such as replacing the breaker box itself.
  
  Home improvement is very satisfying and not all that hard. Most people have a story of being lazy once or twice and having a near accident. I've been shocked by 120v (like in your wall)... twice. I've had saw blades break. Just be safe for that 5% of the time you're using something dangerous, and never get too lazy to grab the safety gear.

You are one lucky person... like super, buy a lottery ticket today, lucky SOB....

I looked online and there are alarms like this for natural gas... maybe get one?

I went with these. I don't know enough to compare different types, but I can say for sure that metal contacts are extremely sensitive to water and since I bought them two years ago they've given me an early heads up about leaks on 4 occasions, easily the best cost:payoff investment I've made as a homeowner.

> I'll be setting an alarm to check the burners after their bed time each night from now on... I'm going to be losing sleep over this either way.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Propane-Natural-Detector-Sensitivity-Detection/dp/B07KRJS5TC/ref=zg_bs_7491102011_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AWC474H5VVQT8KKJ0Y8S

This one even looks like a smoke detector.

A medium sized fire safe is like, $50 and you can keep it forever. https://www.amazon.com/SentrySafe-HD4100CG-Fire-Safe-Waterproof-File/dp/B00GE57DFK

I have one for paperwork. Car titles, insurance documents, things like that- but it's easy to slip the non replaceable jewelry in it, as well.

Why is she likely to smash through your room- to destroy things? Steal? Snoop? Why do you livewith her if she does this?

Also, I'd get a REALLY LOUD alarm and give FIL the fob to turn it off, if someone messes with the door. Like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/SABRE-Door-Handle-Alarm-Vibration-Triggered/dp/B01L3R5LXE/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1496774226&sr=1-4&keywords=hotel+door+alarm

It sounds like she LITERALLY can't stand boundaries, and that's what a locked/closed door represents to her- a physical NO. But a little information about why she does this could help come up with a plan. Like, if she's just a snoop, perhaps taking her into your room, under your supervision, and pointing everything out before you go would take the 'fun' out of violating your space?

Try getting something like this. Put it in a place that WILL get wet early.

HydroCheck WaterWatcher Leak Detector https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00988NOV2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4gmPCbTZ20K0Y

Speaking of water leaks, buy a small army of Leak Frogs, which are water sensors that beep loudly when water flows across the bottom, completing the circuit. Place one under every pipe or potential leak spot so that the moment water starts building up, you know about it and can do damage control before your floor/cabinet/whatever is completely soaked. Leak Frogs have saved my bacon so, so many times. As a homeowner, you NEED these.

I would strongly suggest floodstop. I have one and they are a life-saver.

My neighbor is a plumber and said he has seen these save many homes from a flooding.

PSA for everyone, you can get water leak detectors (linked below) and put them under your dishwasher, next to the water heater, behind the fridge water line, etc. Hopefully it will help catch the problem before it turns to mold.

https://www.amazon.com/Zircon-Leak-Alert-Home-Pack/dp/B01J39MJ9I

These things sometimes just start leaking by themselves, almost certainly due to thermal expansion and contraction.

Do you pour hot water down the sink, say from cooking? How about cold water, maybe ice water from the dinner table?

The pipes expand and contract each time you do this. Vinyl expands and contracts much more than steel or iron too. It's rarely anything to worry about so tighten them up, make sure the leak stops, and just check it occasionally.

If it's a big concern to you, put one of these under the sink:

https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-RWD21-Water-Leak-Alarm/dp/B00BIBD4EY/ref=lp_7491105011_1_8?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1568648889&sr=1-8

Leak sensor.

Wasserstein WiFi Water Leak Sensor, Smart Flood Detector (1-Pack, White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078TG5NT2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ll0ODb4K7ESQN

https://www.amazon.com/Zircon-Leak-Alert-Electronic-Detector/dp/B00004XOVI

Cheap, battery, annoyingly loud when water shorts the 2 metal contacts on outside.

Order one of these you really should not live anywhere without one anyways.

So on 2nd picture I spotted model number - JPS225V

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-0-25-HP-Pre-Plumbed-Sink-Tray-System-Sump-Pump-THD1035/205616019

First thing it says: Great for washing machines, air conditioners and more

However the reviews aren't the best to say the least. But it looks like a regular shitty Everbilt pump in an enclosure. I had a pedestal one shit the bed on me when my hot water tank sprung a leak and it seized due to hot water (plastic impeller came off the shaft). I don't know if you do laundry on hot settings but that's something to ponder about.

I'd take a look if you can open it and swap out the pump itself for something like this to stay on the safe side and also I'd get a $5 water leak sensor.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X0DEDC/

https://www.amazon.com/Instapark-Battery-powered-Detection-Batteries-Included/dp/B01IWTCLHA/

https://www.amazon.com/Floodstop-Auto-Shutoff-FS3-4NPT-v4/dp/B00EA426X6 This is what you are talking about I believe

How about an automatic system, so you don't have to worry?:

https://www.amazon.com/Floodstop-Washing-Machines-4-H90-Version/dp/B00PM9A3TC

Hmm, $69.99 for HomeKit version on US store. Weird it would be $150 for .ca

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MA5FM54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_op0PAb44KXK4G

Fibaro Homekit Flood Sensor: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MA5FM54/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I don't think that's the purpose. If you're asleep or not home it breaks sooner than if it wasn't there, causing more damage. It would move only make sense if there was a water leak detector and solenoid valve. Like this.

This is what I use in our sump pump, https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E2561LG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1479865139&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=everspring+water+detector&dpPl=1&dpID=31iZlZUgAcL&ref=plSrch

so, for a flood? or high water in your sump? there is a difference... but anyways, this is designed more for dishwashers and washing machines, but it does turn the outlet off if water is detected, an you have to hit a reset button to start the outlet back up.

IF you mean high water in your sump, then maybe its a design flaw that could be fixed? your sump should be able to handle all the water flowing thru the pipes when the power is shut off and everything trickles back to the sump. if not, then some redesign should be in order..

or if you mean that the tank might overflow when power goes out, then your hang on overflow should be investigated. the siphon should never break, if it does, its designed poorly, or isn't setup right.

would love to help, but need more info please :)

Get a Radon test. In our area (the east coast) radon is a fact of life. the test cost just a few dollars

https://www.amazon.com/Radon-Test-Kit-Home-Shipping/dp/B07RJZDSX7/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=radon&qid=1566995477&s=gateway&sr=8-4

Amazon Link. They also have a 3 pack.

I added tape over the hole above the buzzer to dull the ear piercing sound a little bit, to avoid neighbors overhearing if it goes off while I'm not home.

It's saved me from a couple floods.

Well.. it depends. It will be a lot of fun if you are into making things yourself. If you prefer ready-to-use stuff, perhaps this Sump monitoring system is worth a try (I just found it - never used).

I just ordered this one, but it hasn’t arrived yet: MOTOROLA Cellular-Connected MultiSensor Reports Temperature, Humidity, Water leaks, Acceleration/Earthquakes, Light Level, Power Loss, Model MC4000 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LB7Z49D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ilIvDb01MA5PJ

From reading up on a lot of different options this one seems like the most “no frills” with the best reviews. Ask me next week and I’ll report on how it works in my van.

Oh hey, I just figured a solution to this!

This monitor is $100 and then $5/month and sends temp updates up to every 20 minutes. Seems to have good reviews and the cheapest solution as far as I can tell.

Perhaps so. They're cheap and can save you lots of time and money. Here's an example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QF19F9Z/

There's a couple ways you can go, something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Wi-Fi-Water-Sensor-Detector/dp/B078TG5NT2

is probably what you want.

Thx, can't find any reviews on Amazon..
Also, found this , but looks like it doesn't detect low water pressures .

Streamlabs Smart Home Water Monitor with Wi-Fi – Detects Leaks & Water Usage – No Pipe Cutting, 5-Minute Install, Real-Time Alerts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SDZ3QG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_3QqQBb4S48GY0

Radon can accumulate in any enclosed space. Your garage I'm assuming is enclosed, so yes, it can. How much and at what level is best determined by a radon test kit. They are cheap, your health, even your life is priceless.

https://www.amazon.com/Radon-Test-Kit-Home-Shipping/dp/B07RJZDSX7/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?gclid=CjwKCAjw-vjqBRA6EiwAe8TCk9xVoqSP-rJ-XzU87Pso-xPK30_Jll_6ht40Ypb7MHW_9b8Up9HNzhoChQgQAvD_BwE&hvadid=177787686362&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9013523&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17691650618873221775&hvtargid=aud-649564993678%3Akwd-19231071&hydadcr=1390_9901975&keywords=radon+test+kit&qid=1566505875&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzREVGWU1BNkJQMk1PJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTk0MTc0MVRJMFFJMU00RkpMUyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTMwMzI3M1A3NU5NVzZPSDIxUyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Intelligent Leak Detection I have one of these, and it's perfect for my situation.

Or [This] (https://amazon.com/Streamlabs-Smart-Water-Monitor-Wi-Fi/dp/B078SDZ3QG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549085866&sr=8-1&keywords=streamlabs) may work if you have a separate supply line running to your irrigation system.

you can get push button locks..

you can get cameras that mount in the peep hole..

you can get door knob alarms that if anybody touches the door, the alarm box hanging over the inside door knob starts beeping..

there are a bunch of brands and models.. https://www.amazon.com/SABRE-Door-Handle-Alarm-Vibration-Triggered/dp/B01L3R5LXE/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1537822005&sr=8-7&keywords=Door+Guard+Alarm

you can get smoke alarms that have video cameras in them. to hang out in the hallway from the ceiling to watch your door.

you can get mirrors in frames for the ends of the hall or even exit signs that have cameras hidden in them.

is your exterior hallway carpeted.. you can slip under the carpet sometimes a sensor pad.. so anybody standing on the pad will trigger the a secondary alarm. even turn on a sander bungee corded to the inside of the door.. you know its there.. if they step on the carpet. the door starts shaking..

buy a water detector for behind the fridge and dishwasher.

Zircon Leak Alert Water Leak Detector & Flood Sensor Alarm / Water Leak Sensor with Dual Leak Alarms 90dB Audio / Battery Powered (5 Pack) Batteries Included https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J39MJ9I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gahPCb0165ZFQ

To address the monitoring piece, I bought this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AQ1ADYA/

It connects to my home wifi and I am alerted (via cloud monitoring) if the device loses connection to its mothership or if the device detects liquid touching it's lead that I have circling my sump opening.

I get an email and an SMS text when the device goes in to alarm (for either reason) and when it goes back to normal state. I've tested it by unplugging it and getting it wet. Works well.

Thanks! I'm going to try to get an estimate on installing the pan. For the shut-off valve, any recommendations?

I've hear a lot about the Watts IntelliFlow, but it looks like it has pretty poor reviews on Amazon. Also saw this one, which seems to have better reviews (though I'm always skeptical).

is this a piece of crap or am i ok with it?
https://www.amazon.com/FloodStop-Automatic-Valve-Water-Heater/dp/B00HYHXBE4/ref=pd_ybh_a_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=31JV9RAN1N689S6D49BH

edit: it's a bit cheaper and i'm cheap.

I would get one of these. https://www.amazon.com/Floodstop-Auto-Shutoff-FS3-4NPT-v4/dp/B00EA426X6
My uncle was out of town and asked me to check on his house. The water heater was spilling so much water it was shooting out the side of the house and raining in the kitchen. I have these on my two water heaters in the attic, cheap insurance. It shuts off the cold water input, which slows the rate of the leak.

I also wouldn't replace until it dies unless you are having problems with it. I replaced the drains on ours with brass dump valves and flush them about once every six months. That was only about $60 in parts.

Well, if you’re going to automate the tub, a flood sensor is a must, but I was thinking a tub full sensor. Behind the toilet is a pretty good spot though, hides it and covers toilet flooding too.

This for example.

https://www.amazon.ca/Everspring-Z-Wave-Wireless-Flood-Detector/dp/B00E2561LG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1541642554&sr=8-2&keywords=zwave+flood+detector

See the little prongs? I was thinking with something similar you could drill 2 small holes in the tub for those prongs in a inconspicuous place and seal it with silicone (leaving enough prong uncovered to trigger of course) and have it shut off the tub when its full.

That’s getting a touch crazy though.

It's not clear to me how I would use that float switch. I guess the 25mm refers to the diameter, but the standpipe is about 2" wide and the drain hose from the washer is just smaller than that; there is no room for anything else.

I could use a relay like the one you linked with a separate moisture sensor device, but I will probably just get this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00988NOV2.

Must be a leak frog.

http://www.amazon.com/Leak-Frog-Protect-potential-damage/dp/B004W2R2GC

For next time...

a sniffer?

I bought a 5 pack of these and have them scattered around my house.