Water pipes are a necessity to any home, but they rarely garner much attention. It's only when they don't work that the average homeowner makes them a priority.

"Many of us have experienced some sort of water damage at home and know how painful and costly it is," Sara Salahi, senior product manager for the Internet of Things (IoT) at GROHE, says. "Sometimes, even when you fix the damage, there are certain things that may have sentimental value that are not replaceable."

To save homeowners from the distress of a pipe burst or leak, GROHE has created two products that monitor their functionality in every capacity. The GROHE Sense and GROHE Sense Guard are smart devices that can discover leaks and pipe breaks, detect humidity and frost levels, and monitor individual water consumption.

"This helps you prevent damage and unforeseen costs," Salahi continues. "Moreover, since the GROHE Sense and GROHE Sense Guard help you learn about your home's water temperature, humidity, and usage, you have more control in general."

Using both products is simple. The GROHE Sense requires three AAA batteries to connect to a home's WiFi, and from there its two metal sensors have a four-year battery life and a two-year warranty. After a user has downloaded the Ondus app on to their smartphone, any GROHE Sense readings can be sent by notifications. "It pulsates and flashes red light when it detects leakage," Salahi says. "It will also notify consumers when humidity is above a prescribed threshold or when a frost temperature is reached."

The GROHE Sense Guard, on the other hand, has a slightly more in-depth installation process. Since it needs to be placed on the home's main water line, it's best that a professional plumber do the installation. Once it's up and running, the GROHE Sense Guard tracks water consumption, pressure, and flow rate, and will send updates through the same WiFi-connected Ondus app. The GROHE Sense Guard will automatically shut off the main water line if there is a leak or pipe burst—which can be turned back on manually or by using the app—and it will also notify users if it detects water consumption beyond their normal trends, or if there is a risk for frozen water. Lastly, the GROHE Sense Guard can work alongside the GROHE Sense, as well as the smart home product Nest, too.

"The most important factor with both of these products is peace of mind," Salahi notes.

She's saying that not just as a creator of the product, but also as a user. Salahi adds that she feels safe knowing her home is protected from excessive water damage, and that she's fascinated by the products' abilities to track things like water consumption and temperature. Much like other smart home products that have revolutionized the comforts of personal space, Salahi says that the GROHE Sense and GROHE Sense Guard can be two more examples of the opportunities provided by IoT devices.

After all, when these products can look after your home's water pipes for you, then there's no need to pay them much more attention than usual.

"I love to be in control of my household," she says. "These smart devices make your home safer and more convenient."