Home Security Blog

Hi DIYers! It is a common misbelief that installing a security system is very expensive and costly. That may be true if you hire a professional installer. But what many people don't know is that a DIY installation can be done for absolutely nothing. And a DIY install actually super easy!

When a customer hires an installer to setup their security equipment, it's very possible that they will spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars. This will depend on the installer itself and the extent of the installation. It can seem like a daunting task - the panel needs to be installed, the sensor need to be mounted, all wiring must be completed, and everything needs to be programmed.

What these installers won't tell you is that each step of the process can be completed with ease. The security industry has made great strides in recent years to make things easier and more accessible for DIY users. When all is said and done, you can purchase a complete and total security system from Alarm Grid, install it on your own for free, and pay nothing more than an affordable monthly monitoring fee moving forward. Let's see how this can be done.

Before getting into any costs, let's break down why installing a security system is not as difficult as many professional installers would lead you to believe. It all starts with the panel. This is the centerpiece of the security setup, and all sensors will communicate to this piece of hardware. To get started, the panel must be provided power. This used to be a challenging process. But now, with the Honeywell LT-Cable, no wires need to be stripped, no difficult connections need to be made, and the entire process can be completed using a screwdriver. Most of our system kits come included with this nifty accessory. Simply connect to the included transformer and plug into the wall.

But what about mounting the panel? That has to be difficult, right? Wrong. Sure, you can drill holes and fish wires if you want to. But most of the wireless alarm panels used today can be attached to a simple desk mount. Just slide and click, and now your security panel can be rested conveniently on a desk or table for quick access. Suddenly your difficult and challenging installation has been reduced to something that could be completed by any member of your family in a matter of seconds.

And mounting sensors is also an easy task. In the old days, sensors were hardwired, and there had to be wires run across the building. This certainly required assistance from a professional. But that is no longer the case. Today, most new security systems use wireless sensors. These devices don't even need to be drilled into the wall. They can be mounted with double-sided foam tape. You don't even have to spend the few dollars for the tape; it usually comes included with the sensors.

So now, you have a panel set up and sensors installed. How about programming the sensors to the panel? This is also easy. Every newly purchased panel comes with a default Installer Code that can be used to access programming. This is where new sensors are enrolled with the security system. Once you've programmed a sensor, configuring the others is mostly just a process of repetition. Sure, you might need to adjust a few settings, but this is simple.

Alarm Grid is happy to help any monitored customer through the entire process online or over the phone if they need further assistance. This help is free and complementary for any customer who signs up for Alarm Grid monitoring services. We'll also walk you through the simple process of getting your system connected with a central station for automatic emergency dispatch. Alarm Grid is proud to partner with Criticom Monitoring Services for central station dispatch.

Just like that, you have a complete and total security system that you installed using nothing more than a screwdriver. The installation cost? Nothing. The only cost incurred was the price of the equipment. Alarm Grid sells all of the necessary equipment on its website. But if you can find it cheaper somewhere else, go for it. We can takeover almost any equipment that is brought to us and provide you with top-quality alarm monitoring services.

If you are looking for an affordable home security system kit from Alarm Grid, then one of the best options is the 2GIG GC2 Verizon-LTE 3-1 Kit. This complete kit includes a 2GIG Go!Control GC2 System, a Verizon LTE Cellular Communicator for fast and reliable communication with a central monitoring station and Alarm.com, three wireless door and window sensors, a wireless motion sensor and a Honeywell LT-Cable. Add in a compatible desk stand, and the total cost is under $350.

This mentioned above has everything you need to get started with alarm monitoring. You can install it yourself for free. Assuming you purchased the equipment new, you have just put in your own security system for $350. From there, you only costs would be any monthly monitoring fees. We have cellular monitoring plans starting at just $25 per month. Who's to say that professional alarm monitoring has to be expensive?

There are many reasons to install your own security system. It's empowering, it helps you understand your equipment better, and it can leave you more satisfied with your equipment than if you had someone else do it for you. Wanna get started? Simply sign-up for Alarm Grid monitoring and buy a complete system kit. Before you know it, you'll learn the true cost of installing a security system - it's whatever you pay for it. And if you do it yourself, it's free.

It is a better time than ever to get your own DIY security system. Sign-up for Alarm Grid, and protect your home or business today!

A couple of weeks ago, we released a complete guide to door contact sensors. Today, we're taking a look at alarm window contacts. Admittedly, there's not much difference between door sensors and window sensors. Many can be used interchangeably. But there are a few tips to keep in mind.

First, let's review how alarm contacts actually work. It is the same general process for both doors and windows. These devices consist of two portions, those being a sensor and a magnet. When the sensor and magnet are in direct contact or very close proximity, a reed switch inside the sensor will remain closed. Once the magnet becomes separated from the sensor, the reed switch will be released, and the sensor will know to alert the system to let it know that the structure has been opened.

The key with window contacts is to place them so that when the window is opened, the magnet and the sensor will become separated. But when the structure is closed, the sensor are magnet will remain in direct or near-direct contact. It is almost always recommended to place the sensor on the stationary frame of the window and the magnet on the moving portion of the window that is opened and closed. This will prevent the more valuable sensor from being pushed around and potentially damaged. The magnet is designed to take much more abuse and use than the sensor itself. Positioning the sensor this way will also make it easier to wire the sensor if a hardwired contact is being used.

One special note with window contacts is that they are only designed to let a system know when a window has been opened normally. If an intruder smashes a window to gain entry, they will avoid activating a window contact, as long as the sensor remains in contact with its magnet. This means that they might be able to gain entry without setting off an alarm. Fortunately, there are two other types of sensors that can be used to alert an alarm system to a broken window. These are glass break sensors and shock sensors. Glass break sensors detect the audible sound of a window being broken, while shock sensors detect the physical vibrations associated with a broken window. However, these sensors are used for intrusion support only. Unlike a standard window contact, they will not let the user know if the window has merely been left open by accident. But they are still recommended for users who want to know if a window has been broken. We generally prefer glass break sensors over shock sensors, since they tend to work more reliably. It can also be helpful to use monition detection sensors alongside standard window contacts to detect any movement in the building.

Just like door sensors, window sensors can be either surface-mounted or recessed. Another major distinction is whether they are wireless or hardwired. So really, window sensors can be grouped into four major types. These are wireless surface-mounted, wireless recessed, hardwired surface-mounted and hardwired recessed. Choosing the perfect variation for your window and the type of installation you want to perform is crucial for success. Fortunately, it's relatively easy to decide on the perfect type of window sensor for your needs.

Simply put, surface-mounted sensors are installed on the exterior surface of the window and its frame. This means that they will be visible when looking at window. However, these sensors are usually very small and discreet, so they won't normally be drawing direct attention to themselves. A major advantage to surface-mounted sensors is that they are very easy to install, since no holes necessarily need to be drilled. Instead, many surface-mounted sensors and magnets can be mounted using double-sided foam tape.

The other option is to use recessed sensors. These sensors are hidden inside the window and its frame so that they are out of view. To do this, holes must be drilled into both the window and its frame for the magnet and sensor. Using recessed sensors for windows is somewhat less common than it is for doors. This is because some windows don't have an effective solution for drilling a hole to insert a magnet. Additionally, some window manufacturers put disclaimers stating that drilling holes into the window will void its warranty. But if the window has space for a hole to be drilled so that the magnet can be accommodated, then a recessed window sensor can certainly work. Please note that recessed plunger switches aren't normally used with windows, but there's no definitive reason why they couldn't work in certain situations.

A special mention needs to go to the Honeywell 5800Micra. This is a recessed alarm contact specifically designed for use with windows. The advantage to the 5800Micra is that only one hole needs to be made in the window frame for the sensor. The magnet is small enough that it can be surface-mounted on the side or bottom of the window. It uses an adhesive backing to remain securely in place. This is a great way to achieve a recessed installation without having to void the manufacturer's warranty for your window. Please note that the Honeywell 5800Micra is a wireless sensor that operates at 345 MHz. It is part of the Honeywell 5800 Series, and it will only work with compatible systems.

Users must also decide between wireless and hardwired sensors for their windows. Wireless sensors are much easier to install, since no wires need to be run. They are the recommended option for almost any DIY installer. Assuming that you have a wireless system with a wireless receiver, there is almost certainly a contact that will work for you. Just make sure that the sensor operates at a frequency that is compatible with your panel. The most common wireless frequencies at 319.5 MHz, 345 MHz, 433 MHz and 915 MHz. Additionally, the encrypted Honeywell SiX Series Contacts, the Honeywell SiXCT and Honeywell SiXMINICT operate at 2.4 GHz WIFI.

If you go with hardwired contacts, the installation will be more challenging, since wires must be run. This can sometimes be an impossible task for the typical DIY user. However, there are two distinct advantages that make hardwired window sensors suitable for certain applications. For one, having them integrate with the building can add to the property value. Users also appreciate the fact that they never need to replace batteries for hardwired sensors.

Below is a table that outlines many of the window contacts available for purchase on the Alarm Grid site. It's actually the same as the one posted for our door contacts guide, only with some minor tweaks for windows. Make special note of the Honeywell 5800Micra at the very bottom!

If you need any help deciding on the perfect window sensor, do not hesitate to reach out to us! You may email us at support@alarmgrid.com or call us at (888) 818-7728 during our normal business hours, which are 9am to 8pm EST M-F. We also encourage you to check out our monitoring page for more information about the services we offer. We look forward to hearing from you!

We are happy to announce that the TC2 Alexa Skill can now be used for smart home scene control. Previously, the feature only allowed users to arm or disarm their systems and check their current arming status. This feature will make things much easier for Alexa users with Total Connect 2.0.

Any voice commands for your system that are made through Alexa will be forwarded to the Honeywell AlarmNet Servers and Total Connect 2.0. From there, the command will be sent to the panel so that the action can be performed. This will obviously require that the user has an active Total Connect 2.0 account and that their panel is synced with their account. Check out our monitoring page for more information on how you can get started with the Total Connect 2.0 service.

At this time, users can only use spoken Alexa voice commands to run specific scenes. This is done with the spoken command, "Alexa, tell Total Connect to run (scene name)." The ability to control specific Z-Wave smart home devices is expected to be made available at a later date. To use this feature, you must enable the TC2 Skill in the Alexa App. More information is available in this FAQ, which while written for the Lyric specifically, could apply to virtually any Honeywell System that is set up with Total Connect 2.0.

If you have more questions about the Alexa Skill for TC2, please email us at support@alarmgrid.com, or call us at (888) 818-7728 during normal business hours, which are 9am to 8pm EST M-F.

We have received notice about the earthquake that has occurred in Alaska as well as the tsunami warning. During this time, Alaskan customers might experience communication failures, and emergency services might be slow or unresponsive. Police stations near Anchorage are currently unable to dispatch.

It's also possible that customers in the Cook Inlet area and the Southern Kenai Peninsula might experience delayed or unavailable police or other emergency response services at this time.

If you are in the affected area, our thoughts are with you. Please heed the tsunami warning and move inland and/or to higher ground. Tsunamis travel at hundreds of miles per hour. By the time you see one, it's too late to run from it. Report downed power lines to the proper authorities, and watch out for burst water and gas pipes that may have shifted during the earthquake. If you smell gas, leave the area immediately and report the gas leak to the proper authorities.

Alarm Grid will provide an update when more information becomes available.

Update: The tsunami warning for Alaska has been cancelled by the National Weather Service. Please continue to be careful during this time, as dangerous conditions may still be present.

Alarm Grid would like to remind its customers that the sunset of Total Connect 1.0 is quickly falling upon us. The service is set to be terminated by January 2020. By then, all users must upgrade to the Total Connect 2.0 service. Almost all Total Connect users have already made the upgrade.

Total Connect 1.0 was introduced as a way for users of Honeywell Alarm Panels to operate their systems remotely. The service was relatively limited in what it could offer. It was later replaced with the Total Connect 2.0 service that is still very widely used today. The TC2 service is much more reliable and offers vastly superior functionality when compared with the original TC1 platform. As of late November 2018, nearly all TC1 users have upgraded to TC2. But there are still a very small number of users running TC1. You can recognize that you have TC2 by the mobile app icon, which features the white letters "tc" with a red background. The icon is shown above.

If you are still running TC1, you must upgrade to TC2 by January 2020. If you don't, you will lose remote functionality for your system. By upgrading to TC2, you will ensure that your remote system services will work well into the very distant future. You will also gain several different features that are only compatible with TC2. Some of these features include:

• Access to TC2 App and Website
• Support for Amazon Alexa
• Support for MyQ Garage Doors
• Support for SkyBell Video Doorbells
• Support for August Smart Locks
• Support with Total Connect Comfort Thermostats
• Control up to Eight Partitions (if supported by system)
• Push Notifications
• Video Alerts
• Smart Scenes
• Support for Honeywell HD Cameras
• iOS Face ID Recognition
• Android Voice Recognition
• Support with Apple Watch
• Multi-Language Options
• 100+ Locations per Account

Most users who are still running Total Connect 1.0 are doing so because they have an alarm panel or a system communicator that works with TC1, but not TC2. For these users, some type of upgrade is necessary for gaining access to Total Connect 2.0. This could include replacing the communicator or replacing the panel entirely. Any Alarm Grid customer can contact us to receive assistance on the easiest way to upgrade their system. These customers should email us at support@alarmgrid.com, or call us at (888) 818-7728 during normal business hours, which are 9am to 8pm EST M-F to receive further assistance. Our team will work with them to ensure that they obtain the proper equipment to get started with Total Connect 2.0.

Remember, you must upgrade to TC2 by January 2020. This is just slightly more than a year away. Make the upgrade to TC2 now so that you do not lose remote services for your Honeywell Panel!

Hi DIYers! When many people think of a professional Honeywell Security System, they usually think of a top-of-the-line security system installed by a professional. Well the truth is you can install the system yourself. Thanks to Honeywell Home Security Systems, do it yourself is possible!

You don't have to be a professional to install your own Honeywell Home Security System. In fact, with the right setup, you won't even need any tools! Okay, maybe you'll need a screwdriver to connect some wires. But that is not asking a lot. By following some simple instructions, you can install your own complete and professional set up on your own. The same equipment that the professionals use is all available on the Alarm Grid site!

Why would you want to install your own security equipment? Well for one, a professional installer can charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a simple installation. It can also be somewhat unsettling to allow a stranger into your house, especially to work with something as sensitive and personal as your home security system. The truth is you - that's right, you - can install your own home alarm system just as well as a pro. And you can save money and learn about your system in the process. It doesn't get any better!

The panel that we recommend using for a DIY Honeywell Security System is the Honeywell Lyric Alarm System. This is the latest and most advanced security panel available from Honeywell. All of the sensors and equipment can be easily programmed with the system. The menus are easy to navigate and the process is extremely intuitive once you know what you're doing. The Lyric allows sensors to auto enroll with the system. This means you won't have to memorize or enter any long and confusing codes, and you will confirm for sure that the sensors have been recognized by the panel. Before you know it, you'll have your entire home set up and protected in a jiffy!

We recommend using Honeywell SiX Series Sensors with the Honeywell Lyric Controller. These are all wireless sensors with a 200 foot nominal range. They feature 128-bit AES encryption for added protection and security when you need it most. Since these are wireless sensors, no wires need to be run. This makes the installation process super easy, even for beginners. When mounting the sensors, you don't even need to drill holes. Instead, you can just use double-sided foam tape. Slap the tape on the back of the sensor, plop the sensor on the wall, and boom, you're good to go! Some of the best Honeywell SiX Series Sensors for a home installation include Honeywell SiXMINICT Door Sensors, Honeywell SiXPIR Motion Sensors, Honeywell SiXGB Glass Break Sensors and Honeywell SiXSMOKE Smoke Detectors.

As for the panel, you can mount it to the wall if you want. But for a DIY user, an easy option that requires no tools is to use a desk mount. The Lyric has a great desk mount just for this purpose. Simply slide the desk mount on the panel, and rest it on a table or desk for quick and easy access. There's no need to mount the panel to the wall, and you won't need to drill any holes. For connecting to the transformer, Honeywell offers the fantastic LT-Cable that eliminates the need to strip any wires. Simply screw the spaded ends to the transformer, connect the other end to the lyric, plug-in the barrel connector, and the setup is complete!

With a user-friendly and convent Honeywell Home Security Systems, do it yourself is the name of the game! Why hire a professional installer when you can truly do it yourself? Not only can you achieve a great DIY installation, you can do it right! From there, you can customize your system to suit your home. The Honeywell Lyric Alarm Control Panel is fully loaded, and it has everything you need to get started. A built-in WIFI card allows you to connect with the Honeywell AlarmNet Servers for use with the Total Connect 2.0 service. An integrated Z-Wave controller allows your set up smart home automation devices with ease. And iOS users will love the fact that the Lyric is compatible with the Apple HomeKit service for use with HomeKit smart scenes and automations. This HomeKit security system is perfect for those who want to expand upon their HomeKit setup.

Once you have the Honeywell Lyric Security System, you just need an alarm monitoring plan to get started with professional and reliable home security. Alarm Grid can connect your home with three reliable central stations that operate 24/7. Our monitoring partner is Criticom Monitoring Services, which operates three central stations across the country in Florida, New Jersey and California. If one station is ever unavailable, the calls will be routed to a different central station for the ultimate reliability. This way, you and your family are always protected.

Don't wait to get started! Email us at support@alarmgrid.com, or call us at (888) 818-7728 from 9am to 8pm EST M-F to receive monitoring service for your DIY Honeywell Home Security System!

Hi DIYers! We are happy to announce that the Honeywell 5800MINI Wireless Door and Window Sensor is now available in brown. This serves as a more aesthetically pleasing option for users with homes that feature brown decor. Please note the classic white option is still available as well.

The Honeywell 5800MINI is one of the most popular alarm sensors on the market today. It is known for its small size and overall ease of use. These features make the 5800MINI one of the most versatile and useful door and window sensors available. The sensor can effectively monitor nearly any door or window and let the system know when the structure has been opened.

The two components of the 5800MINI are the sensor itself and its included magnet. Both components come in a matching white or brown color. The sensor is mounted on the door or window frame, while the magnet is mounted on the moving portion of the actual door or window. For best results, the magnet should be mounted no further than one-half inch of the sensor, though a maximum spacing gap of a full inch is supported. The magnet will ideally be in direct contact with the sensor when the door or window is closed. This is why door and window sensors are often referred to as "contacts". When the door or window is opened, the magnet will separate from the sensor. This will release a reed switch inside the 5800MINI. The sensor will then send an alert to the panel to let it know that the door or window has been opened.

What's great about the 5800MINI is its small size. The sensor measures 2.2"H x 1.0"W x 0.25"D. This makes it one of the smallest and thinnest door and window contacts available, allowing it to be used in nearly any type of application. The sensor also features an LED light that shows its current status. This light is useful for helping users with any necessary troubleshooting. The sensor is powered using a single 3V lithium CR2032 coin battery, and it has an average battery life of three to five years. The maximum wireless signal range of the 200 nominal feet. But this range can be extended to a maximum of 400 nominal feet with the use of a Honeywell 5800RP Wireless Repeater. The 5800MINI operates at 345 MHz, making it readily compatible with the Honeywell Lyric Alarm System, any Honeywell LYNX Touch and any 2GIG System. It can also be used with a Honeywell VISTA System if a wireless receiver is added, as well as the 345 MHz Version of the IQ Panel 2 Plus.

Both the white and brown versions of the Honeywell 5800MINI are available from Alarm Grid. Get some now, and improve the capabilities of your security system. Also remember to take a look at the alarm monitoring plans we have available.

Hi DIYers! Today we're taking a quick look at the Honeywell 5800RP. This is a useful tool that will repeat the signal of any Honeywell 5800 Series Device. By placing the Honeywell 5800RP in a key location, you can effectively double the communication range of a 5800 Series Device.

When a 5800 Series Sensor is activated, it sends a wireless 345 MHz signal to let the alarm system know about the event. For most of these sensors, the signal will only travel a maximum 200 feet on its own. But the 5800RP can take this signal that has been sent out and send it out a second time. This means that the signal can travel an initial distance of 200 feet, before being repeated by the 5800RP for an additional 200 feet. So when all is said and done, a 5800RP will increase the max distance for most Honeywell 5800 Series Sensors to 400 feet!

A unique aspect of the 5800RP is that it does not need to be programmed to the panel. It will start repeating compatible signals as soon as it is plugged in. However, a user can program it to a wireless zone for supervision purposes. This way, the panel will display a trouble condition if the 5800RP ever goes offline or exits the signal range. Please note that 5800 Series Sensors can only have their signals repeated once. In other words, a user cannot add multiple 5800RP Repeaters to continuously repeat the signals of 5800 Series Devices. However, a user could have two different 5800RP devices going in opposite directions away from the system to repeat communication signals traveling from opposite ends.

It is important to note that the Honeywell 5800RP will only repeat the signals of 345 MHz Honeywell 5800 Series Devices. This includes any 5800 Series Sensors, as well as bidirectional 5800 Series Devices, such as a Honeywell 5834-4 Key Fob or a Honeywell 5828 Keypad. However, it will not work with other wireless Honeywell Sensors. This includes the Honeywell SiX Series Sensors, which are incompatible with the 5800RP. The repeater is also incompatible with the 2GIG 345 MHz Sensors. But Alarm Grid offers a separate repeater, the 2GIG RPTR1-345 that is compatible with these 2GIG Sensors. There are also repeaters for 319.5 MHz Sensors, 433 MHz Sensors and 915 MHz PowerG Sensors.

You can get the Honeywell 5800RP and these four other wireless repeaters from Alarm Grid right now. Build you home or business security system with Alarm Grid!

Hi DIYers! Today, we're taking a quick look at the Honeywell 5816OD Wireless Outdoor Contact. This is an extremely versatile and useful sensor that allows a user to monitor virtually any door located outside. It offers superb protection to keep it safe from nearly any outdoor elements.

The Honeywell 5816OD takes its name from two places. The "5816" portion is a direct reference to Honeywell's most popular wireless sensor, the Honeywell 5816. The "OD" portion simply refers to "outdoors". Simply put, this is an outdoor version of a 5816. But the 5816OD has some added features built-in. Perhaps the most notable is the extra large magnet spacing gap that the 5816OD can utilize. Unlike the half-inch maximum spacing gap used by the 5816, the 5816OD can work properly with a maximum spacing gap of 1.5 inches. This gives the user great flexibility in choosing a location for the sensor and its included magnet.

As a wireless contact, the Honeywell 5816OD is fairly standard in terms of its operation. The device consists of a sensor and magnet. The sensor should be placed on the stationary portion of the door, fence or gate. The magnet should be placed on the moving portion of the door, fence or gate, within an inch and a half of the sensor. When the structure is opened, the magnet will separate from the sensor. This will cause a reed switch inside the sensor to activate. The sensor will then alert the system to let it know that the structure has been opened.

For weather protection, the 5816OD is waterproof, and it meets NEMA4X water protection. It can withstand temperatures ranging from -40° to 150° F, making it suitable for virtually any environment on this planet. It can be mounted on flat or curved surfaces. Alarm Grid recommends using strap ties or cable ties if you are installing it on a round surface, such as a fence or gate post. The sensor can even be painted so that it blends-in better with the structure. If you do this, remember to use a paint that is safe for plastic!

The 5816OD operates at a wireless frequency of 345 MHz. This makes it compatible with most Honeywell Systems and all 2GIG Systems. It will also work with the Qolsys IQ Panel 2 Plus with 345 MHz Daughtercard. If your system is connected with an interactive service like Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com, you can even receive remote alerts through your iOS or Android smartphone to let you know when the 5816OD has been activated.

You can purchase the Honeywell 5816OD from Alarm Grid right now. Get yours to protect your outdoor fence, gate or door!

Former "Malcom in the Middle" child star Frankie Muniz had a devastating experience last week. While visiting France to attend his uncle's funeral, Muniz's cat managed to turn on his sink. It flooded the house, destroying every wall, various pieces of artwork, personal photos and furniture.

The incident cost Muniz thousands upon thousands of dollars in damages to his five-story Phoenix house. He also lost priceless items that can never be replaced. It truly is a horrific event. We're sure that Muniz will overcome this challenge. He's a resilient man who currently serves as the host for "Dancing with the Stars: Juniors". He even recently got engaged. In the grand picture, this is just a small step back.

But we're also sure that this is a mistake he will never make again. Luckily, it's one that can be avoided fairly easily. Almost every security system can support flood sensors that can be used to let an end user know before serious water damage occurs. Once a small water leak is detected, the flood sensor will alert the alarm control panel. The user can then receive text and/or email alerts through an interactive service like Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com to let them know that their flood sensor has been triggered. Most flood sensors will activate with as little as a quarter-inch of water. This is well-before any serious water damage occurs.

Some users may wonder what to do if their flood sensor activates while they are away from home.The answer is fairly obvious. The user should determine the cause and stop the leak immediately if there is one. If you have a smart door lock, you can let a trusted friend or a neighbor into your home temporarily so that they can turn off the faucet or alert a plumber. You may also want to have security cameras in your home so that you can visually check for any flooding that may occur.

The thing to remember is that flood sensors are not very expensive. And many flood sensors will last as long as an alarm system itself. This one-time investment is much, much cheaper than the costs associated with a flooded home. Plus, many items are simply irreplaceable. If you value your home and your belongings, a few flood sensors is a small price to pay to protect what matters.

Some of our most popular flood sensors include the Honeywell 5800FLOOD, the 2GIG FT1-345, the Qolsys IQ Flood, the DSC WS4985 and the DSC PG9985. All of these sensors work very well, and they can save you thousands of dollars in the event of a serious water leak or accident. Just make sure the one you choose is compatible with your alarm system. You can purchase any of these sensors from the Alarm Grid website right now. Remember, stay smart and keep your home protected!