Start with the highest-cost leaks
Water heaters, washing machines, sump pumps, dishwashers, refrigerator water lines, and upstairs bathrooms deserve attention before lower-risk corners.
Put the sensor at the first wet point
A sensor should touch the floor or drip path where water arrives early. Do not hide it behind a lip, mat, box, or appliance foot that keeps water away.
Leave room for batteries and cleaning
If the sensor cannot be reached without moving an appliance, battery replacement and testing will stop happening.
Test every alert path
Trigger a small safe test with a damp cloth or manufacturer-approved method, then verify the local alarm, phone notification, email, SMS, and household sharing path.
Plan the response after detection
A sensor can alert the household but cannot stop water by itself. Compare a compatible retrofit valve actuator with an inline monitoring shutoff, preserve manual access, and test closure only after valve fit and plumbing safety have been reviewed.