System Builder: Water Leak Protection NEW

Step-by-Step System Builder

Step 1: Select a Hub or Hub Starter Kit

hubs & hub starter kits

info:

Choose either our original YoLink Hub, or our SpeakerHub. Customers love our new SpeakerHub, as it can play attention-getting sounds, like a siren sound, and verbally inform you of off-normal and alert conditions, such as "Leak detected in basement!"

Please see the Hub or SpeakerHub product pages for additional info. Select at least one hub (or multiple hubs for large buildings, mid- and high-rise entire-building systems) or chose from a starter kit with a hub. Starter kits are packaged for your convenience and offer some savings versus purchasing the items individually. For full functionality, including operation of the app and phone notifications, each device must wirelessly connect to one of our two hubs. The Hub is the only device that connects to your network and to the internet. You can learn more about this technology on our Discover page.

Please select at least one hub, either our original YoLink Hub or our SpeakerHub audio/talking hub (suggested), or one of the starter kits.

Please Note: both hubs require a full-time internet connection for full functionality of the system and app. The YoLink Hub works with Ethernet and/or WiFi, while the SpeakerHub is WiFi (2.4 GHz), only.

For a side-by-side comparison of our two hubs, click here.

shop hubs & starter kits:

shop hubs:

shop hub starter kits:

Step 2: Select Water Leak Detection

water leak sensors

info:

Select your water leak sensors, if they are not included with your starter kit, or if you need additional sensors.

Water flow meters and in-line leak sensors are coming soon!

rope style water sensors:

learn:

The Water Leak Sensor 2 is our rope style water sensor. The rope/cord has an absorbent water-permeable braided jacket, that allows water to penetrate the jacket and complete an electrical circuit that is detected by the sensor. The sensor then reports the status change from normal to water-detected, which results in notifications being sent to you, activating a siren, turning off the water, etcetera, based on your predefined preferences in the app settings.

Rope type water sensors are ideal for detecting water in confined spaces, such as behind a refrigerator or under a dishwasher. They can also be used to detect water within a defined area or region, such as around a water heater or laundry machine, or within a large region, when additional cords are added. See the applications images for examples.

Rope style water sensors are not ideal for water level monitoring. See our water level monitoring sensor selection for this application. Rope style water sensors are also not ideal for high-humidity environments. Consider one of our puck style water leak sensors for high-humidity environments.

The Water Leak Sensor 2 has an integral piezo sounder (mini siren). The sounder can be enabled or disabled in the app settings. Not using the sounder will maximize the life of the batteries. It is not recommended that the sounder on the sensor be the sole means of notifying you of a leak or flood. Please note: it is not recommended to rely solely on the sounder on a leak sensor, as you may be asleep and several floors and/or closed doors away from the sensor when it activates. Consider the Siren Alarm, the SpeakerHub (e.g. on your nightstand), the Critical Alerts (severe weather style notification that activate audibly, even if the phone is in Focus or silent mode, available only to iOS phones), or app-specific notification settings that are loud enough to wake you, should be considered as primary methods to get your attention, even if you are asleep.

This sensor should go upwards of 5 years between battery changes. Compare that to competitor products like those from Govee, that may need to be replaced as often as every 90 days!

Tip: the cable/rope can take an extended period to dry after getting wet. It is recommend to have a spare cable on hand, to replace the wet cable, after the leak or flood has been removed. Additional cables are available to purchase in the accessories section below.

The Leak Sensor 2 comes with a metal hangar, with 3M mounting tape pre-affixed, to hang it from a wall or other surface. See the optional ruggedized Wall-Mount Bracket for this sensor, which is ideal when the sensor is used at public locations, in apartments and rental properties, like condos and BNBs. The bracket, which can be screwed or adhered to the wall (screws included, other methods such as mounting tape, not included), affords the sensor additional protection against impact, casual tampering and cord removal.

Visit the Water Leak Sensor 2 product or support page, for additional information.

applications:

Applications & Suggested Uses (7)

Laundry Machines

Hang the sensor from the included mounting hook, or mount it with the optional ruggedized wall-mount bracket. Place the cord on the floor, optionally, encircle the washer, as a minimum place the on the floor at the rear of the washer (below the water lines and near the drain pipe). If the washer is elevated on a pedestal, consider the pedestal's effect on the path of leaking water and adjust the location of the cord accordingly.

Water Heaters

Hang the leak sensor from the included hook, affixed to the nearby wall, or directly from the water heater. Encircle the base of the water heater, as shown. Optional ruggedized wall-mount bracket shown. See also, Water Leak Sensor 1

Toilets & Under Sinks

For toilets, place the sensor on the floor, near or behind the toilet. Place one sensor under each sink, ideally under each clean-out. See also, Water Leak Sensor 2

Kitchen Sinks & Dishwashers

Use the included hook or optional bracket to secure the sensor to the cabinetry interior. For dishwashers, route the cord under and around the dishwasher, ideally. Ensure the cord is under the water inlet and outlet connections. For sinks, place the cord so that it encircles the area under the sink. Extension cords up to 10' (~3 meters) in length are available.

Refrigerators with Ice Makers

If the fridge is built-in or if keeping the sensor out of sight is preferred, place the sensors inside the adjacent cabinetry. Drilling a hole through the cabinetry may be required. 10' (~3 meter) and 4' (~1.2 meters) extension cords are available. Or, the sensor can be placed on the face of the toe-kick, with the cord routed along the side of the fridge. Optional Wall-mount bracket shown.

Roof Leak Detection

The Water Leak Sensor 2's water-sensitive cable can be used to detect roof leaks. Optional ruggedized wall-mount bracket shown. Extension cables are available in 4' (1 meter) and 10' (3 meter) lengths.

Smart Toilet

Detect water leaks on the floor with the Water Leak 1 or 2. Detect internal leaks or a blocked flapper or "runaway toilet" with the Water Level Monitoring Sensor. Additional applications: track toilet usage in the app. Automate exhaust fans (YoLink switch required).

shop rope style water sensors:

puck style water sensors:

learn:

The Water Leak Sensor 1 is our "puck" style water sensor. The Water Leak Sensor 1 is soon to be joined by the Water Leak Sensor 4 and 5, available July 2023. The Water Leak Sensor 1 is typically placed on the floor, where leaking or flooding water is expected. It has water-sensing electrodes on the top and bottom. The bottom electrodes are optimized for detecting flooding or pooling water, while the top, with its cupped region, is optimized for dripping water.

A unique aspect of our puck style water sensors is that they are waterproof. It might be surprising to learn that many smart water leak sensors can be damaged by getting wet. The Water Leak Sensor 1 (and 3 and 4) will not need to be replaced if they get wet.

When a sufficient amount of water is on or under the sensor, water creates a closed electrical circuit between a pair of electrodes. The sensor then reports the status change from normal to water-detected, which results in notifications being sent to you, activating a siren, turning off the water, etcetera, based on your predefined preferences in the app settings.

Our selection of puck style water sensors are nearly universal water sensors; they can be used in almost any residential application. Spaces may be too small for a puck sensor, so you might consider the Water Leak Sensor 2, our rope style sensor. For air condensate pan or pipe overflow/back-up detection, consider our Water Leak Sensor 3 (our probe cable style leak sensor), or our Water Level Monitoring Sensor (with float switch). The Water Leak Sensor 3 is also more ideal for laundry machine water drain pipe back-up/clog detection. See the below sections for more information on these sensors.

Unlike the Water Leak Sensor 2, the 1 does not have a built-in piezo sounder (mini siren). The new puck style sensors, the Water Leak Sensor 4 and 5 do have integral sounders. Please note: it is not recommended to rely solely on the sounder on a leak sensor, as you may be asleep and several floors and/or closed doors away from the sensor when it activates. Consider one of our sirens, the SpeakerHub (e.g. on your nightstand), the Critical Alerts (severe weather style notification that activate audibly, even if the phone is in Focus or silent mode, available only to iOS phones), or app-specific notification settings that are loud enough to wake you, should be considered as primary methods to get your attention, even if you are asleep.

The Water Leak Sensor 2 has an integral piezo sounder (mini siren). The sounder can be enabled or disabled in the app settings. Not using the sounder will maximize the life of the batteries. It is not recommended that the sounder on the sensor be the sole means of notifying you of a leak or flood. Since you may be asleep at the time, and the sensor may be on another floor, with several closed doors between you and it, it may be unlikely to awaken you. Recommended notification methods, include but are not limited to Critical Alert (iOS devices) and loud tones for push notifications on your smartphone, the SpeakerHubaudio, talking- and sound/tone-playing-hub, and the indoor Siren Alarm.

This sensor should go upwards of 5 years between battery changes. Compare that to competitor products like those from Govee, that may need to be replaced as often as every 90 days!

See the applications section, just below, for examples of where and how to use puck style water sensors. Visit the applicable Water Leak Sensor 1, 4 OR 5 product page or support page, for additional information.

applications:

Applications & Suggested Uses (4)

Water Heaters

Place the sensor on the floor, near the water heater. If the floor is sloped, place the sensor in the path of water running to the floor drain or lower section of the floor. See also, Water Leak Sensor 2

Toilets & Under Sinks

For toilets, place the sensor on the floor, near or behind the toilet. Place one sensor under each sink, ideally under each clean-out. See also, Water Leak Sensor 2

Laundry Machines

Place the sensor on the floor, next the washing machine, ideally at the rear (near the water connections and drain). See also, Water Leak Sensor 2 (rope style sensor) and the Water Leak Sensor 3 (for drain back-up detection).

Kitchen Sinks & Dishwashers

YoLink puck style water sensors are ideal for detecting leaks under sinks. Place it under the drain trap, and it will catch and detect water dripping from above, as well as water pooling around it.

Dishwater leaks often occur at the front. But depending on a number of factors, including a slight slope

shop puck style water sensors:

probe style water sensors:

learn:

The Water Leak Sensor 2 has an integral piezo sounder (mini siren). The sounder can be enabled or disabled in the app settings. Not using the sounder will maximize the life of the batteries. It is not recommended that the sounder on the sensor be the sole means of notifying you of a leak or flood. Since you may be asleep at the time, and the sensor may be on another floor, with several closed doors between you and it, it may be unlikely to awaken you. Recommended notification methods, include but are not limited to Critical Alert (iOS devices) and loud tones for push notifications on your smartphone, the SpeakerHubaudio, talking- and sound/tone-playing-hub, and the indoor Siren Alarm.

This sensor should go upwards of 5 years between battery changes. Compare that to competitor products like those from Govee, that may need to be replaced as often as every 90 days!

See the applications section, just below, for examples of where and how to use puck style water sensors. Visit the applicable Water Leak Sensor 1/3/4 product page or support page, for additional information.

applications:

Applications & Suggested Uses (3)

Water Heaters

Toilets & Under Sinks

For toilets, place the sensor on the floor, near or behind the toilet. Place one sensor under each sink, ideally under each pipe trap. See also, Water Leak Sensor 2

Laundry Machines

shop puck style water sensors:

water sensor accessories:

About available water sensor accessories:
The Water Leak Sensor 2, our rope style sensor, comes with one 47" (1.2 meter) cable. Additional extension cables can be added to the end, or the cable can be replaced with a 10' (3 meter) cable. The total length of the interconnected cables must not exceed 30' (9.1 meters). Please note: the longer the cable, the increased sensitivity to high humidity.

The Water Leak Sensor 2, 3 and the Water Level Monitoring Sensors, which all share the same main sensor body, come with mounting hook, with 3M brand mounting tape. The sensor hangs on this hook, which is adhered to the wall. For a more robust wall-mounting method, with increased resistance to impact or tampering, consider the optional Wall-Mount Bracket. The bracket also secures the cable to the sensor, preventing accidental removal of the cable. The bracket can be mounted to the wall with the included screws and anchors, or with any mounting tape or similar method (tape not included).

Step 3: Select Water Shut-Off Products

valve products / water shut-off

info:

The "automatic water shut-off" part of the Water Leak Protection System can't happen if you do not have a YoLink smart water valve or valve controller. Here you will find information on our extensive line of water control products.

Generally, you have two initial choices - a motorized valve or a bolt-on valve operator. The best solution is a motorized valve, which requires installation ("cutting into") on the water pipe, but it can also require a professional installation by a qualified plumber. While your insurance company may offer discounts that more than pay for this initial investment, or if you do not own your residence or prefer a temporary or transferrable product, you might consider a bolt-on valve operator.

Bolt-on valve operators are mounted onto the existing ball valve, and by mechanical operation they either push/pull the valve handle, like the Bulldog Valve Robot, or they are directly attached to the ball valve, like the new EVO Valve Operator. A motorized valve will always be superior to any bolt-on device, because the existing ball valve remains in service, and the combined water shut-off mechanism may be limited by any issues with the ball valve, such as an overly stiff operation or limited range of motion. These problems are more likely with older valves and also increase as the size of the valve increases. If the existing ball valve does not operate smoothly consider having it replaced, or having a motorized valve installed.

While hiring a plumber can take some of the worries out of motorized valve installation, if you are comfortable working with plumbing tools, and have a DIY attitude, this project is in your reach. If the existing pipe is CPVC or PEX, definitely consider a motorized valve, as these pipe types are relatively easy to work with. And with pipe adapters like the Male Push Adapter from SharkBite, this project is even easier.

See the individual product page for additional installation information, or visit the applicable product support page.

bolt-on valve operators:

bolt-on valve operator accessories:

1/2" motorized valves:

3/4" motorized valves:

1" motorized valves:

1-1/4" motorized valves:

1-1/2" motorized valves:

2" motorized valves:

motorized valve accessories:

Step 4: Select Remote Control Devices

remote control devices

info:

You can control the valve from the app, by voice command, and by automations, etcetera, but sometimes you just prefer a simple press of a button. Take a look at our selection of smart fobs, including one (the FlexFob) that can even trigger Alexa routines and IFTTT automations (so you can control non-YoLink devices, too).

In-wall smart buttons coming soon!

smart fobs:

Step 5: Select Alarm & Relay Products

alarm, relay, power devices:

info:

Here you can choose from audible and visible alarms you can set up to activate upon leak detection. Relays can be used to trigger other alarms, lights, security panels and so on.

In the event of water leak or flooding detection, you will receive one or more notifications, consisting of but not limited to: phone app push notifications (pop-up banners on your phone), emails, and text messages. If you are concerned about notifications not reaching you, or being missed because you are asleep, consider our SpeakerHub, and/or you can add one or more of our siren products to your system. These attention-getting devices will make sure you are notified as soon as possible, if in earshot of the siren.

As a notification device, our SpeakerHub offers several options, including a spoken message and/or tone or sound played over the speaker. If you, for example, want to be awoken if there is a detection at night, a SpeakerHub on your nightstand should be perfect. For those that want something louder and/or that can be heard from a longer distance, we offer an indoor Siren Alarm and two types of outdoor sirens.

We offer three types of sirens:

Our Siren Alarm is an indoor siren alarm device. The Siren Alarm has three sound levels, one warbling tone, and four LEDs that flash while in alarm operation. While wireless and battery-powered, the Siren Alarm should be plugged-in at all times, and the batteries only offer standby or alarm operation for brief periods. The Siren Alarm can be powered by USB power or by AC power (120V in North America) using the included power adapter (120VAC to Micro-USB connector). The Siren Alarm is shipped with two AA batteries.

Our Outdoor Alarm Controller & Siren, as the name suggests, is an outdoor siren alarm, but it can be used indoors. The siren component is a 12VDC security siren, with one tone and one sound level. The siren is controlled and powered by our wireless Alarm Controller. Other than the wire leads that connect the controller to the siren, this device is wireless - it does not need to be plugged in. Without the burden of wiring installation, you can place the siren where you need it, quickly and easily. The Alarm Controller is powered by four AA batteries, not included. For outdoor applications, we recommend lithium batteries, for maximum battery life and overall dependability. Our app does indicate battery level, so you can replace the batteries when needed.

Our third siren offering is the X3 Outdoor Alarm Controller & Siren, the X3, commercial-grade, variant of our outdoor alarm controller & siren. X3 devices, like this one, are part of our commercial-grade line, ready for tougher environments and more demanding applications. Features like a ruggedized enclosure with improved mounting points, and replaceable lithium battery with a potential 10+ year life, equate to many years of reliable operation.

A possible fourth and fifth offering includes using our alarm controllers without our siren, but instead connected to your 12VDC relay or alarm devices (under 400mA current draw). This is a popular choice, particularly for intrusion detection applications, if you have existing, wired, alarm devices that you would like to have as part of your YoLink system. Purchase our alarm controllers separately on our Security collection page.