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While we bonk that body of water is of the essence to life , it ’s also an incredibly destructive effect . Leaking pipes can waste cabinet , soak floors , cause mold , and attract pests . Freezing temperatures can worsen the trouble . As pipes freeze this do the water within to amplify , splitting pipework that finally leak out when the temperatures rise . possess the ability to know when a leak is starting can be the difference between a simple localisation and an expensive - to - resort wellness hazard . Luckily , the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector can alarm residents before it ’s too lately .
But what is the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector , and how does it work ? I put this equipment through hand - on testing to serve those question and more . Learn more in this Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector review .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector: At a Glance
Rating:8.6/10
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector at :
What is the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector?
The Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector is a Wi - Fi – enabled warning signal that can alert a homeowner or resident to the presence of water supply or perilously crushed temperatures within their home . It ’s more or less 2¾ column inch in diam and about 1¼ inches improbable , or around the sizing of a hockey game puck . It expend two AA stamp battery ( which are include ) and works with Wi - Fi or without .
The Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector features two small contacts underneath it that resemble metal balls . Should one continuous puddle of water mite both contacts , it will create a short and put the gimmick into an alarm clock mode that coif off a 95dB alarm ( Kidde does n’t heel a decibel level , but that ’s where I measure it ) .
This gimmick also has a freeze detection function , alarm residents if the temperature within a space drops below 37 arcdegree Fahrenheit . The idea is to alarm them before the pipes in the outer space freezing and break , lead to a leak when the pipes thaw .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
The Kidde works on its own — users can only unbox it and place it in a console , basement , or any other area they ’d care to supervise . However , the twist can also connect to a nursing home ’s Wi - Fi , allowing it to send an qui vive to the user ’s phone through the Kidde app .
How easy is the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector to set up?
TheKidde Water Leak and Freeze Detectorcan be countersink up one of two path : either as a resist - alone sensing element or through Wi - Fi . Both are relatively easy , with Wi - Fi requiring only a few additional steps .
To establish the Kidde as a stand - alone detector , simply remove the sensor from the boxful and deploy the admit batteries . There are n’t any sensors to set up , wires to sequester , or brackets to deal with . user can come in the sensing element inside a cabinet that has plumbing inside , behind the toilet , or near the water warmer to alarm them to any passing water . It will work the right way by and send off a 95dB alarm if something triggers it .
To set up the machine with a Wi - Fi connexion , all a substance abuser needs to do is follow the stand - alone steps and download the Kidde app . The app is very easy to navigate and allows user to bring the passing water sensor by scan the QR codification on the back of the sensing element . user can then name the gadget and delegate it to a room .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
A singular feature film the Kidde app has that most others do not is the ability to save an pinch impinging into the app . When an alarm is triggered , a clit come along that the user can urge on to automatically dial the exigency liaison . This can aid foreclose drawing a blank about who to call during a stressful warning equipment .
Is the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector easy to use?
Most water wetting detectors are relatively easy to utilise . These sensors just live inside a cabinet or on a floor next to a plumbing fixture , and user can draw a blank about them until a leak come about . The Kidde is just as easy to use .
When an alarm occurs , users can either ascertain their speech sound and hush the alarum or they can succeed the sound of the siren , locate the twist that was triggered ( if they have multiple devices ) , and remove it from the space . This will readjust the alarm and shut up it . While there is n’t a reset release , this method acting process cursorily and allow the user to avoid sample to see out the drive of a leak without a 95dB alarum disorienting them .
Aside from silencing the consternation , there is n’t much more to the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector . Like other leak detectors , they ’re easy to set and forget .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
How well designed is the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector?
My independent complaints about theKidde Water Leak and Freeze Directorinvolve blueprint issues . For one , there are n’t any reset or Wi - Fi buttons . If a sensor refuses to connect to the Wi - Fi , the drug user has to readjust it by touching both of the contact underneath the sensor with a metal screwdriver or paper cartridge holder three times within 2 sec . While the lack of release does make the sensing element more waterproof , hold to trigger off the machine with a screwdriver or paper clip seems foreign .
My other ailment is that the sensor are far aside than those of other wetting detectors I ’ve tried , and it ’s by at least ½ column inch . While this might not seem like a self-aggrandizing deal , it does mean that the puddle has to be larger to attain both sensors . Also , if the console or floor where the sensor is installed is n’t flat , the substance abuser has to verify the sensors are n’t straddling a high point ; otherwise , they may never trip .
This ailment is likely making a tizzy over nothing , but when I compare this gimmick to the multiple others I quiz , it was the only one with the sensors so far apart . The sensor of other devices were very tight to each other .
How does the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector perform?
All other consideration apart , how a H2O leak and freeze down detector performs is the most authoritative factor — and the Kidde perform very well . When the detector was placed in a test puddle , it alarm me within 10 seconds . The qui vive issue forth up on my telephone set and clearly displayed the sensor ’s fix and the jeopardy , which was very easy to translate . When I tested the equipment when I was away from home , the alert still came very quickly ( within 15 seconds ) .
Also , when the alert came up , it intelligibly displayed the button to call an emergency contact . While I was only testing the gadget and knew what to expect , I could imagine that receiving an warning signal in the middle of the night would be extremely disorienting . Knowing the app will stack away emergency middleman info and mechanically connect the user to that physical contact with the touching of a button seems like it would provide welcome peace of mind .
I also test the freeze detector by simply range the gimmick in my deep-freeze . Again , it alerted me quickly , submit the hazard and placement and expose a button to call an exigency contact .
Is the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector worth the money?
TheKidde Water Leak and Freeze Detectorruns between $ 18 and $ 40 , bet on the retail merchant . The question is , is it worth the money ?
The Kidde was actually the least expensive Wi - Fi – compatible option . Other options were more expensive , though they did come with Wi - Fi bridges or hub and multiple sensors . But while having extra sensors might be ideal for some folks , the ability to append one sensor with an app rather than a hub or bridge appealed to me .
Also , the Kidde was the only gimmick that offered multiple office ( water and freeze out detection ) . The other devices offered only piss detection , but there is certainly value in having both water and freeze detecting .
I ’ve tested many Kidde devices in the past , and to be honest , they ’re never really on the cutting edge . However , the detector on the Kidde detector are top - notch and they join with an app that catch the chore done . The app is well design and well-heeled to expend , which was a pleasant surprise . For this intellect , it ’s my opinion that the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector is worth the money , without enquiry .
Should you buy the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector?
Most folk music would do quite well with the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector monitoring their homes . It does precisely what it ’s supposed to do at a reasonable price . However , there may be one thing to consider .
Folks who have multiple areas in their homes that they desire to monitor will necessitate to adjudicate whether they need to buy multiple case-by-case detector or if they require a complete kit with a hub and multiple sensors , likethis outfit from YoLink . They ’ll get the same amount of reportage as they would if purchase individual sensing element , but the up - front cost may be something they ’ll need to consider when making the choice .
For anyone who postulate a dependable , well-to-do - to - put - up water making water and stop dead detector that will act with or without Wi - Fi , the Kidde is the way to go . It works well , alerts speedily , and features an excellent app that hive away emergency touch information . It also offers two detector in one , and user can add as many devices as they want along the way , one at a time . This finally makes it a bully option for bathrooms , basement , dishwasher , refrigerators , and anywhere else a water leak detector would be ready to hand .
Where to Buy the Kidde Water Leak and Freeze Detector
Meet the Tester
Tom Scalisi has been in the trades for over two decades . He loves to share his knowledge of building , home base betterment , tools , technique , and products with the readers of BobVila.com , This Old House , Family Handyman , and even his pest control blog .
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