Customer Reviews

Zircon Leak Alert Electronic Water Detector, 1-Pack

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(44)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

After having our basement flood, we purchased this product. This product has done a good job of letting us know of any impending problems. It will not make the problem go away but is a great warning device. It is small and inconspicous. It works basically like a smoke detector but for water. The only requirement is that the device must come in contact with the offending water. We have placed ours in the sump pump pit on a ledge instead of outside the pit on the floor because by then it would be too late:)

We purchased one of these and put beside our water heater and furnace, which has a small condensate collection tank and pump. We tested it when we first bought it and it seemed pretty good; about like a smoke detector in volume, etc. The first time it alarmed was when we were on vacation and the battery had apparently gone nearly dead. We were alerted by our son when he checked the house that it was going off, but no water was leaking, so we had him remove the battery. About a year later, the unit was making a faint scratchy pulsating buzz, so I replaced the battery again. I tested the unit after replacing the battery and found it made the same nearly silent scratchy buzz. I thumped the unit once and it made an alarm sound for a few seconds and then went back to a nearly silent scratching sound. That is all it does now so after nearly 2 years, the integrated circuit components apparently die and you have to pitch it out. Don't be fooled into thinking that it is standing guard as a silent sentry for you. Test this unit out periodically to make sure that the alarm circuit is still functional because it does die after a 18-24 months. See other reviews to confirm.

I purchased three of these water alarms three years ago after I woke up with seven thousand dollars in damage when a washing machine hose sprang a leak in the middle of the night. I am now ordering five more, one to go under every sink in my house, after a sneaky leak under an unguarded sink cost me $600 in plumbing and cabinet repairs.

The detector could not be simpler in concept. There are two metal contacts approximately a quarter inch apart on the bottom of the unit. When water bridges the contacts the alarm sounds and sounds. You shut the alarm off by drying the contacts with a cloth. I have tested the unit by simply wiping a counter with a wet cloth and setting the unit on the wet table. There is only a thin film of water on the table, but the unit sounds the alarm. I have also found that the manufacturer's claim of a two-year life for a standard nine-volt alkaline battery is conservative.

Other uses: Everyone with an aquarium in the house needs one of these babies at the rear of the aquarium stand. I had one in place at my aquarium and it prevented some real damage when a filter developed a leak.

I have one of these already and it does what it says it does. I got it originally for under my kitchen sink. I am now ordering 3 more to help detect when my basement is flooding. The thing is LOUD so its hard to ignore.

I own a few Zircon 64003 Water Detectors and I'm glad I bought them. Plainly put they work and each are as loud as a smoke detector so if one goes off it could wake you. (if you had a flood during the night like I did).

A few things to note the alarm won't go off unless the sensor gets wet so positioning of the device is important. Put it where you expect water to pool or to flow or in the case of a sump pump or well put it inside so that you can get a warning before the water over flows. Also the device floats so you might want to anchor or tether it down.

For an unmonitored water detection system it works pretty well. $.. is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Think about how much damaged a small flood could cause if left unnoticed...

My mother's sewer backed up and flooded the basement. Later I saw this alarm at a major home improvement store. I bought 3 of them. Two for her basement, one for mine. I installed a 9 volt battery in each of them and tested each in water. They worked fine. I placed each one in a problemed water area. The trouble I experienced was that the high humidity in the summer would set these things off. Placing plastic or a piece of cloth under them didn't fix the problem. Now none of them are in service because one by one they went off for no reason and I could not get them to stop! Great Idea! Bad Product!

however, in my opinion this is a VERY cheaply made product. Because of this it could easily fail when it is needed most. In fact, my kitchen flooded in the night 3 weeks after installing this product and the alarm never sounded. It had a new battery in it. Decide for yourself, but you are urged to find a different product.

I cannot believe that insurance companies don't give these away. The money it would save them would be mind boggling. I got one for my parents a couple of years ago and it caught a leaking hot water heater that would have gone unnoticed until the bottom of it gave out and flooded the house. I did NOT have on in my home and the air conditioning overflow pan leaked upstairs (where I never go) and caused over $400 worth of damage.. It could have been prevented if I had one of these.. Don't just get one for your hot water heater, get one for every A/C unit in your attic too..

Ok, I had to come back and update this. The day before I was to leave on a weekend trip I heard a noise from the attic. I went up there to check on it. I found my hot water heater leaking. Wonder what I would have come home to if I had not had one of these... I'm glad I took my own adivce.

Bought this device over 10 years ago and it saved us from water damage numerous times; paid for itself many many times - AND it is still working just fine even after 10 years - bought two new alarms for use by other family members. Highly recommended.

the product claims 95dB, same as a fire alarm. its not. its more like a pleasant warning, maybe an alarm clock snuggled under two pillows. Loud enough to be heard next door but will never wake anyone up unless it is jammed into their ear. Buy it if the volume is not a consideration, avoid if you plan to use in the basement.