Has anyone used LeakBot? I got it free with HomeServe about a year ago. I just received an email to say I hadn’t quite turned a tap off. Pretty cool! You just clip it to the pipe next to your stopcock and it uses temperature to work out when the tiniest amount of water is flowing. Very clever.
6 Likes
Sounds cool. ^^ Is ”clip it to the pipe” really as easy as it sounds?
Yes. It’s as easy as clipping a name badge onto your top pocket, assuming you have good access to the pipe. I had to find mine behind a disused freezer, and then they had to send me a better aerial but it worked in the end. Be interesting to see how long the battery lasts.
£150 to tell me I have left a tap on? 
Yeah as I say, I didn’t pay that. It’s more useful for hidden leaks, which can cause damage before you realise they’re there. Reminds me of when Monzo had the idea of using slightly higher water bills to spot leaks, but this is way quicker.
1 Like
I have one and it detected that my toilets were leaking from the cistern, because of old/bad seals. Not sure how much this will save me in the long run but will probably have reduced the risk of any additional damage
I didn’t pay this either, its a bit extortionate for something that insurers are giving out for free. I know it is to reduce the amount they pay out on claims but surely they cannot be buying these at the RRP
Jeez this is an old topic.
You can get really cheap smart moisture detectors now for as little as £10. I considered getting one for my fish tank.
No they won’t. HomeServe owns LeakBot 
Yes but that is the thing, you need to know beforehand where you want to put the sensors.
This in theory monitors your whole mains water system
Ohhh I see, that’s pretty clever!
I found a video that explains it all and I’m still baffled at how just clipping this onto a pipe allows it to know if there is a small leak somewhere 
Personally I worry I’ll see higher premiums because a device found a leak and told my insurer about it when it was just a simple thing like a dripping tap.
He even basically says you can find out who has leaks and charge them more for insurance as part of his pitch (or to use his sales speak ‘there is a whole new world of data analytics you can use to effectively price escape of water risk at renewel’ 
).
I’ll have to watch the video tomorrow to see how it works, but if it’s anything like the versions water companies use on their networks. It listens to the water in the pipe to work out if it’s running / leaking.
My understanding is it measures temperature - as the water will flow if there’s a leak, drawing cold air in to the system, there will be a prolonged and consistent drop in temperature. And that’s what Leakbot looks for.
(Source: what I recall when I looked into Leakbot when this topic started and I was consider one. Ultimately decided against it, but the bump has me thinking again - and am slightly annoyed with past me now as you can’t currently seem to buy one in the UK. No doubt due to Brexit paperwork issues and/or Covid fun in supply chains.)
Correct. I think there are two thermometers and it compares the room to the pipe.
I’ve never known that happen, and I’ve had them out a number of times to fix leaks.