North Olmsted, Ohio… Don’t test your luck with a leak. Water damage is claimed six times more than fire and eight times more than theft, accounting for 24%* of all insurance claims. This causes immense strain financially and emotionally. Since leaks are rarely contained to a small area of the home, if a leak starts upstairs, it can lead to catastrophic damage elsewhere, resulting in excessive repair costs at an average of $12,500**.
Moen, a leader in water experiences in the home, recognizes the importance of prevention and early detection for homeowners. In this article, Moen experts will share not only the impact water-related catastrophes can have on the home and the homeowners but also how implementing proactive approaches to water security can bring peace of mind and significant cost savings.
The Hidden Culprits of Water Damage
In a survey from Moen**, research found that 48% of people have experienced water damage in a home they own. The causes of damage are more commonplace than one might expect.
“Leaky pipes, faulty faucets, or malfunctioning washing machines can all be cause for concern when examining where water damage begins. Leaking fixtures like a toilet flap can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily,” says Suzy Kummer, senior category manager, smart water security, Moen.
Experiencing small, discreet leaks and having a system that delivers real-time alerts can truly improve the reaction time to fix the issues before water damage occurs.
Moen Customers Share Their Stories…
“We installed [the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff] – it was not difficult,” said Holly Goldberg-Sloan from California. “Over one week, we started to get the alerts [about water usage], so I called customer service and started to watch from room to room telling them there was nothing going on. He said to go to my water meter and asked if the dial was turning, meaning water was running. They found that two different bathrooms had very small leaks. That’s when I became someone converted to the whole program.”
Taking Preventative Measures
Moen research*** shows that over half of people surveyed are concerned about leaks and water damage. Homeowners can focus their preventative efforts on appliance upkeep, plumbing maintenance, and the use of smart home devices.
Appliance upkeep is a simple way to mitigate risks. Moen recommends maintaining water hoses and connections on appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers to ensure everything is secure and leak-free. It’s also helpful to check for leaks around refrigerators' water filters and ice makers.
Regular plumbing maintenance helps identify malfunctioning areas inside the home. This can include promptly addressing dripping faucets or loose connections and insulating pipes in unheated areas during cold months to prevent them from freezing.
Technological devices are among the top techniques people use to secure their homes. Implementing smart home technology as a preventative measure is an effective way to accomplish this.
"Homes are filled with people’s most treasured belongings," says Mason Hall, head of connected products, Moen. "But hidden leaks can silently wreak havoc on their home and wallets. Smart water security products can give users a holistic look at their daily water usage patterns to alert them of abnormalities. This saves money on water bills, protects against costly home repairs and minimizes sentimental losses.”
A ‘Smart’ Approach to Home Protection
According to research conducted by Moen*, once consumers have experienced this level of damage, they are more motivated to protect themselves from experiencing it again.
To have complete peace of mind as homeowners go about their day, a device like the Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff works in the background, 24/7, to monitor for potential water risks and leaks. It can intelligently and automatically notify the homeowner and automatically shut off the home’s water to reduce the risk of water damage. It can help reduce more than 90% of annual household water waste when potential leak issues are promptly addressed**** and, within 30 days of installing the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff, 60% of homeowners discovered a leak they didn’t know they had*****.
Moen Customers Share Their Stories…
“Like many people, I decided to look into a device that would prevent leaks after I had already experienced one,” says Mark Wolfe, a Moen customer, on his experience with the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff. “It was really magic ever since. It’s very comforting to know we don’t have to worry about it. It prevents floods, it saves us money on water [and] once you’ve invested in it, you forget about it.”
If people notice the start of a water leak, Moen recommends addressing the source immediately and contacting a professional plumber for repairs if necessary. Knowing how and when to act on water damage can save homeowners money, conserve water and provide peace of mind.
To learn more about the benefits of smart home leak detection, visit. Moen.com/flo.
* Insurance Information Institute
**Moen 2024 Flo Awareness Survey
***Moen 2021 Water Perceptions Survey
****Based on Average American Annual Water Leaks of 10,000 Gallons
*****Based on data provided to Flo Technologies by Smart Water Shutoff owners
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ABOUT MOEN
Moen is the #1 consumer faucet brand in North America, offering a vast array of stylish and innovative kitchen and bath faucets, showerheads, accessories, bath safety products, kitchen sinks, garbage disposals, leak detection products and connected home offerings for residential applications that give consumers more power than ever before to understand and control the water that flows through their homes. These thoughtful designs deliver an exceptional user experience and elevate how people interact with water daily. In addition, Moen® Commercial offers superior-performing products that can deliver lower lifetime costs for today's facilities.
Moen is part of Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: FBIN), a brand, innovation and channel leader focused on exciting, supercharged categories in the home products, security and commercial building markets. Moen anchors Water Innovations (WINN), which also includes several brands under the House of Rohl® including Perrin & Rowe®, ROHL®, Riobel®, Shaws® and Victoria + Albert®. Fortune Brands’ other brands include Fiberon® composite decking and railing products; Master Lock®, Yale® residential, August® and Sentry® Safe security products; LARSON® storm doors and Therma-Tru® entry door systems. For more information, please visit www.FBIN.com.
CONTACT: Samantha Eastman or Emily Baker
Falls & Co.
(216) 696-0229
seastman@fallsandco.com
ebaker@fallsandco.com