Do I need leak sensors if I have a whole-home shutoff?

Yes. Spot sensors can detect localized leaks that may not meaningfully change whole-home flow, and they can trigger alerts faster at the source.

Where is the single best place to put a leak sensor?

If you only place one, start at the water heater area (base/pan) since failures there can leak a lot of water before you notice.

Where to Place Water Leak Sensors: Room‑by‑Room Plan (2026)

The placement plan that catches leaks before they become ceiling stains

Most leak sensors fail because they’re placed in the wrong spot. Here’s a room-by-room plan, plus how we pair spot sensors with a whole-home shutoff for real protection.

Placement guide Real home checklist 6-minute read

On this page

Overview Priority map Room-by-room Pairing Contact

A practical room‑by‑room placement guide for water leak sensors—kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, basement—and how to pair sensors with a whole‑home smart shutoff valve.

Quick links: Full smart shutoff guide Comparison table Moen Flo review

Check Moen Flo 3/4" price Jump to Moen quick pick

Why placement matters: leaks don’t always show up where you expect

The most common mistake with leak sensors is placing them only where you can see them. Water often travels along framing, subfloor, or drywall before it shows up on the floor.

Use this plan to place sensors where they will trigger fast—before the leak becomes a ceiling stain.

Priority map: where sensors pay off the fastest

Water heater pan / base: slow leaks turn into big problems fast.
Washing machine supply lines: one of the highest-risk spots for sudden failures.
Under every sink: supply lines + drain traps + garbage disposal connections.
Behind toilets: tank gaskets and supply valves can drip silently.
Sump pump pit / basement low spots: catch water where it collects first.

Room-by-room placement guide

Kitchen

Under sink (back corner, not front)
Behind dishwasher (or adjacent cabinet base)
Near fridge water line connection (if applicable)

Bathrooms

Behind toilet, near the supply valve
Under vanity sink
Near tub/shower access panel (if you have one)

Laundry

Directly behind washer where supply lines connect
Floor drain area (if you have one)

Basement / mechanical

Water heater base/pan
Softener or filtration system connections
Sump pump area (if present)

Pair sensors + whole-home shutoff (the “best of both worlds” setup)

A whole-home shutoff protects against burst pipes and abnormal usage. Spot sensors protect against localized leaks that may never change whole-home flow much (think: a slow drip under a sink).

The best setups use both—spot sensors trigger the shutoff when needed.

Want our ranked list of both types?

We keep both whole-home shutoffs and leak sensor kits ranked on the main guide so you can build a complete system:

See the full smart shutoff + leak sensor guide

If you’re leaning premium all-in-one, this is our top pick: Moen Flo product card

Our home setup (simple and realistic)

We started with the remodel and added regular shutoffs. Then we layered smart protection:

Whole-home shutoff: main line protection
Spot sensors: water heater, laundry, and under-sink
One test per quarter: force a sensor alert and confirm the whole chain (sensor → app → shutoff)

Next step

Use the main guide to choose sensors and shutoff options that match your connectivity (Wi‑Fi, Z‑Wave, or LoRa): https://www.productsforourlives.com/best-smart-water-shutoff-valves.

👤 About the Author

I’m Michael Taft, founder of Products For Our Lives. I write practical guides built on first-hand use when possible, careful spec verification, and consistent long-term owner feedback—so you can make a confident purchase without marketing noise.

Where to Place Water Leak Sensors: Room‑by‑Room Plan (2026) — A practical room‑by‑room placement guide for water leak sensors—kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, basement—and how to pair sensors with a whole‑home smart shutoff valve.

Expertise: leak detection, whole-home shutoff planning, smart home reliability

Evaluation background: B.S. in Computer Engineering Technology; Director of Software Engineering; lifelong outdoors experience; safety training and certifications listed on my profile.

Methodology: I prioritize failure modes (false alarms vs missed leaks), installation constraints (pipe sizing, bypasses, power/Wi‑Fi), and measurable outcomes (response time, alerts, and real-world reliability). I cross-check manufacturer docs and standards guidance, then compare patterns across long-term owner reports.

Where to Place Water Leak Sensors (Room‑by‑Room)