Water World
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Weekend Projects department; digital illustration of a man holding a beverage and laying in a hammock
Water World title
Landscape close-up photo view of a man's fingers holding a Govee H5054 water alarm sensor product model in his hands inside a RV kitchen setting area
Using inexpensive sensors to detect moisture in places that shouldn’t be wet can prevent costly, unexpected damage.
By Bob Livingston / Photos by author
W

hen leaking water goes unchecked in an RV, the results can be disastrous. If you don’t find out about a leak until water drips on the ground — or pours out the entry door — it’s likely too late. You can prevent an expensive clean-up by taking a proactive stance and installing inexpensive leak detectors that can give you advance warning before things get out of control.

There’s a proliferation of such devices on the market — they’re well-known among folks who have owned a brick-and-mortar house with a basement prone to flooding — and if you search the Internet, the choices are extensive. My guess is that most will do the job, but when a friend praised the performance of the Govee water sensors he’s used for some time, that’s all I needed to make a good choice. It’s all about experience with products and reviews these days.

Landscape close-up photo view of the Govee H5054 water alarm sensor product model placed on the floor situated nearby some other random assorted RV cleaning products inside a RV kitchen setting area
When moisture is detected, the sensor sends a 100-db audible alarm and the red LED is illuminated. The sound is loud enough to be heard throughout the RV and almost anywhere on an RV site. The device runs on two AAA batteries and an audible alarm reminds the owner when they need replacing.
Portrait close-up photo view of the Govee H5054 water alarm sensor product model placed on the floor situated nearby a toilet inside a RV bathroom setting area
After the water pipe to the toilet let go a few months ago, the owner who recommended the Govee sensors repaired the cracked pipe fitting and added a sensor to detect the future presence of water behind the “throne” before it hits “flood” stage.
Portrait close-up photo rear back view of a man's fingers holding a Govee H5054 water alarm sensor product model in his hand inside a RV setting area as the label description details are shown such as the name of the model, S/N number and/or letter combination, DC Battery type, etc.
The Govee water alarm sensors have two groups of probes on the backside that detect leaks on flat surfaces. Probes on the front side detect dripping water (not shown).
The Govee H5054 sensors can be purchased on Amazon ($12.99 each or in packs of five for $49.99). These sensors are small and inconspicuous — just 1.77 x 1.04 x 3.46 inches in size — and are self-contained. Running on two AAA batteries, they are capable of sensing water on flat surfaces via two groups of built-in probes on the backside or will alert to dripping water when the moisture hits one group of probes on the front of the device. A low battery alert is also provided.

When water is detected, a loud (100 db) alarm can be heard from anywhere inside the RV and on an RV site. A red light also signifies the leak. For those who would like to be informed offsite, there’s a Wi-Fi component that will send messages via email to your phone or tablet. It works on 2.4G Wi-Fi but not on 5.0G versions, so check your system to make sure it’s compatible.

These sensors can be placed anywhere there’s a potential for moisture. For example, logical locations to monitor are under the bathroom and kitchen sinks, behind the toilet, next to the demand water pump, inside storage compartments and in a utility bay. And the sensors are very sensitive — one even went off in our RV when the floor was washed a few minutes before returning the sensor to its previous location. If it does sound an alarm, dry the sensors with a towel and press the mute button and you’re ready to be protected again.

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