Catching a plumbing leak quickly can prevent a host of headaches—repairing or replacing damaged walls or ceilings, removing mold and rotted lumber, and making an insurance claim. As a form of “cheap insurance,” a number of companies now offer residential water-leak detectors that can alert you as soon as a leak occurs.

These detectors vary from inexpensive devices that sound an audible alarm to systems that cost hundreds of dollars, connect to Wi-Fi (and so are able to alert you through a smartphone app even when you’re not home), and automatically shut off the water supply. This article profiles several of these options and also includes a sidebar that features plumber Mike Lombardi installing the Moen Flo system in an old house with copper pipes.

Water leaks can cost you

When it comes to the most common sources of homeowners insurance claims, wind, hail, lightning, fire, and water damage always make the list. When it comes to water damage, the range of likely claims may include plumbing and appliance leaks, roof leaks, and rain and snowstorm damage.

As the type and severity of the damage varies, so do the chances that the damage is covered. Policies often don’t cover water damage that starts on or in the ground around the house, like flooding, backed-up footing drains, a malfunctioning sump pump, or a leaky foundation. They do often cover plumbing leaks. Of course, the only way to know for sure what’s covered is to read your policy carefully.

At well over $10,000, the average value of water-damage claims is not insignificant. When it comes to plumbing leaks, those that are caught quickly may not cause enough damage to warrant an insurance claim, while those that go undetected can result in severe damage, including rot and mold.

Moreover, water…