Proactive solutions for reducing water damage risk
Did you know that 53% of all water losses can be prevented? For many boards, the challenge isn’t responding to water damage. It’s knowing when it starts.Water damage is one of the most common and costly risks facing residential communities and high-rises. It often starts as a small, hidden leak that goes undetected until it disrupts residents and leads to significant repairs.
FS Insurance Brokers, a subsidiary of FirstService Financial, offers water detection solutions that help identify leaks earlier, enable properties to respond faster, and reduce damage before it escalates.
Why early detection matters
Water-related losses can escalate quickly, often going unnoticed until significant damage has already occurred. Early detection gives boards and property teams the ability to act before damage spreads. With the right systems in place, communities and high-rises can:- Minimize damage and disruption
- Limit costly losses to residents’ belongings
- Reduce repairs and restoration costs
- Support more stable insurance outcomes
The alert that prompted immediate action
Late one evening, the onsite team at a high-rise community in Chicago, Illinois, received an urgent push notification indicating water had been detected in a specific unit. With the unit identified, the team was able to quickly investigate and assess the situation."As soon as the alert came through, the Chief Building Engineer went directly to the unit. The source was identified as a slow leak, which was quickly addressed and resolved before it could cause significant damage."
Jamie J., community association manager
A smarter way to stay ahead of risk
Our customizable water detection solutions are designed for residents’ homes and shared spaces. By monitoring for potential leaks and abnormal conditions, these solutions help reduce risk of water damage that can disrupt daily life and damage personal property.What our solutions offer:
- Early leak detection in residences and shared spaces
- Real‑time alerts to support faster response
- Monitoring in units, common areas, and critical building spaces
- Optional automatic water shutoff to help limit damage when leaks occur
By identifying issues early, water detection helps reduce unexpected repairs, minimize disruption, and ease the stress that often comes with water damage.
"Water‑related losses remain one of the most significant and preventable risks facing residential communities. Water detection solutions provide a proactive way to identify issues early, reduce disruption for residents, and help protect long‑term property value. This offering reflects our commitment to smarter risk management and stronger outcomes for the communities we serve."
Andrew Lester, President, FirstService Financial
Get ahead of water damage risk
To learn more about how water detection solutions can support your property and residents, contact us today using the form on this page, or contact Josh Williams using the information below.Josh Williams
Director, Insurance Solutions
FS Insurance Brokers
404.290.6402
[email protected]
Frequently asked questions
A flexible, building-specific program that uses smart water detection technologies designed to help identify leaks and unusual water activity early. By catching issues sooner, the program is designed to reduce the severity of water damage, limit losses, and preserve homes and buildings before problems escalate.
Water detection systems can operate in different ways depending on the building type, infrastructure, and the specific technology installed. In general, these systems are designed to identify unusual water conditions and help reduce the risk of water damage. Some systems use strategically placed sensors that respond when they come into contact with water, while others monitor water flow patterns to detect abnormal usage. Connection methods, response behavior, and capabilities can vary based on the property’s design and the selected solution.
Water damage is one of the most common and costly property issues. Leaks often go unnoticed until significant damage has already occurred. Early detection plays a key role in minimizing damage, reducing disruption, and helping reduce water-related insurance claims.
Devices can be installed in areas where leaks are most likely to occur or cause damage, including:
- Individual residential units
- Common areas
Yes. The system delivers real‑time alerts when a leak or abnormal water activity is detected, helping address issues quickly and limit damage.
Yes. Some systems offer an optional automatic shutoff valve feature that can be added to help limit damage by stopping water flow when a leak is detected.
Yes, the water detection solutions are designed to provide flexible and customizable options tailored to different building types, layouts, and resident needs.
- Reduces unexpected repairs caused by undetected leaks
- Minimizes disruption from water damage and emergency repairs
- Preserves personal property
- Provides added peace of mind for residents
- Reduces water damage claims and loss severity
- Supports long-term insurance premium stability
- Preserves building infrastructure
- Promotes a safer, more comfortable living environment
While not all water damage can be eliminated, studies show that up to 53% of all water claims are preventable. Water detection devices help identify leaks early, which can significantly reduce the extent of damage by limiting the amount of water released and shortening the time a leak goes unnoticed. Early alerts allow issues to be addressed before they escalate into larger, more costly losses.
FS Insurance Brokers, an affiliate of FirstService Residential, has partnered with select companies to develop and administer water detection solutions for managed communities.
The program is designed to reduce the frequency and severity of water-related losses over time. By identifying leaks earlier and limiting the extent of damage, the long-term goal is to create a stronger loss history, which can support more favorable insurance premiums, deductibles, and policy terms over time. Individual insurance outcomes may vary.
The solutions are available to all properties managed by FirstService Residential in the U.S. and Canada.
For additional details about water detection solutions, contact:
Josh Williams
Director, Insurance Solutions
FS Insurance Brokers
404‑290‑6402
[email protected]
Josh Williams
Director, Insurance Solutions
FS Insurance Brokers
404‑290‑6402
[email protected]
Disclosure: FS Insurance Brokers, an affiliate of FirstService Residential, has partnered with select companies to develop and administer water detection solutions for communities managed by FirstService Residential. To review additional information about our services and disclosures, you may access our Transparency Brochure.
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