Having a connected water sensor can mean the difference between dropping a couple of bucks to switch out a faulty water valve and spending thousands of dollars to repair or replace household appliances and other items that sustain water damage due to a faulty water valve. The Piper Z-Wave Water Sensor ($39.95) from Icontrol Networks will not only send push notifications to your Android or iOS smartphone when it detects water, it'll alert your trusted friends and relatives and call your phone to let you know that you have a problem. It'll cost you more than you'll pay for a non-connected sensor and the setup process is a little quirky, but it's a handy device if you live in a flood-prone area and have already invested in the Piper home-automation network.

Design and Features
The white plastic Piper Water Sensor measures 3.0 by 1.2 by 0.7 inches (HWD) and is connected to an approximately 3.5-foot cable with a two-pronged probe at the end that detects the presence of water. There's a small button on the top that releases the back panel, providing access to two AAA batteries, a Wake-Up button, and a Z-Wave button. The Wake-Up button is used to prepare the sensor for pairing, and the Z-Wave button is used to pair it to the Piper's Z-Wave radio. A red LED indicator on the front of the sensor lets you know when it's ready for pairing.

When paired with a Piper hub, such as the Piper NV, the Water Sensor can be configured to interact with the NV's camera and siren as well as other connected accessories such as the Piper Z-Wave LED Bulb. Simply go to the Rules page of the app and select the 'If Water Sensor Detects Water' option. On the next page you can choose options including triggering video recording, sounding the siren, and turning on the LED light bulb. If you have a Piper Smart Switch, you can set it up so the sensor trigger turns on your sump pump, a fan, or a heater. The sensor, when triggered can also generate a phone call, and send email, text, and push notifications to your smartphone and to Piper Trusted Circle members that you designate.

Installation and Performance

The sensor can be mounted on a wall using double-sided tape or screws (both included). If you're using the screws, pop the back panel off and screw it to the wall, then reattach the sensor to the panel. Mount the sensor at a height that allows the probe to come in contact with the water (in most cases this will be at or just above floor level). Use the included waterproof mounting tape to attach the probe to the wall. The probe itself is waterproof but the sensor is not, so make sure it is shielded from the elements if you install it outdoors.

To add the Water Sensor to the Piper network I removed its back panel and pulled off the plastic battery saver tab. Next, I opened the Piper app, went to the Settings page, clicked Wireless Accessories, and tapped Add and then Start. Next, I pressed the Wake Up button until the red LED was illuminated, then pressed the Z-Wave button and waited while the app searched for the sensor. After five minutes I pressed Cancel and went back to the Wireless Accessories page and found the sensor listed with an OK status. The same thing happened when I installed the Piper Z-Wave LED Bulb and seems to be a minor flaw in the app. I reattached the sensor to the panel and completed the installation.

In testing, the Piper Water Sensor worked like a charm. It reacted immediately when a single drop of water came in contact with the probe, or when the probe was submerged in a puddle. I received email, text, and push notifications for every event, as well as recorded messages on my phone. The sensor integrated seamlessly with the Piper's camera and siren and triggered the light bulb without fail.

Conclusion
If you've already got asurveillance camera and want to take advantage of its Z-Wave wireless capabilities, the Piper Water Sensor is a useful addition that can help protect your home against water damage. With push, email, text, and voice alerts, you'll know if there's a water problem no matter where you are. As with the D-Link mydlink Wi-Fi Water Sensor DCH-S160, the Piper Z-Wave Water Sensor is more expensive than a traditional water sensor, but a typical water sensor won't call you, send alerts to multiple locations and trusted friends, and trigger other home automation devices.