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Safeguarding floor standing speakers against water leak in home

monkboughtlunch

monkboughtlunch

Super Member
Sometimes water pipes break in homes. If a speaker is making contact with the floor, whether carpet or hardwood, the speaker's wood, mdf, veneer etc can get damaged from the flooding.

Is there a recommended type platform to raise up speakers (maybe an inch or so) to help safeguard the speakers in case there is ever a water pipe event?

Cinder block? Marble slab? Other?
 
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monkboughtlunch said:
Sometimes water pipes break in homes. If a speaker is making contact with the floor, whether carpet or hardwood, the speaker's wood, mdf, veneer etc can get damaged from the flooding.

Is there a recommended type platform to raise up speakers (maybe an inch or so) to help safeguard the speakers in case there is ever a water pipe event?

Cinder block? Marble slab? Other?
Click to expand...
Speaker stands...cheaper to replace a stand than a speaker. A metal stand...wash and reuse... Milk crates in a emergency...you can stack them. Older speakers you don't like.... LOL
 
Responding per the thread title, most "Floor Standing" speakers do not have nor do they need stands. A decent and inexpensive set of spikes will raise them an inch or so.
 
monkboughtlunch said:
Sometimes water pipes break in homes. If a speaker is making contact with the floor, whether carpet or hardwood, the speaker's wood, mdf, veneer etc can get damaged from the flooding.

Is there a recommended type platform to raise up speakers (maybe an inch or so) to help safeguard the speakers in case there is ever a water pipe event?

Cinder block? Marble slab? Other?
Click to expand...

If you have a pipe break what makes you think the flooding is going to stop at one inch?
 
F1nut said:
If you have a pipe break what makes you think the flooding is going to stop at one inch?
Click to expand...
Maybe he should fix the pipes first , you can lose a lot of money From water damage unless you have 20k speakers repairing floors and walls will cost the most .
Is it a rental or your own house !?
Maybe spikes and cover your electronics with Saran Wrap or something we’re no ports are Arnold !?
Speaker stands , you’re tv will probably not survive if it’s spraying everywhere. Speaker stands for floor standers ?
Use every safety thing you can think of . If my bedroom were to flood it could be bad.
Basement I suggest risers or stands , maybe lots of plastic wrap above near pipes so water Dosnt spray onto your tv.
 
F1nut said:
If you have a pipe break what makes you think the flooding is going to stop at one inch?
Click to expand...

I'm not making that argument. An unexpected leak could go higher. I haven't conducted a mean analysis of the average water line height of a water leak.

If someone has their speakers in a basement or sunken living room, obviously the risk is the water level can go much higher. Duration and flow rate of the leak is also a variable factor.

If someone has their speakers at ground level or upstairs, the water level may not rise as high, especially if the water can flow downstairs -- or escape out a front door or garage.

I'd like to hear recommendations for different approaches and scenarios.
 
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ultumax said:
Maybe he should fix the pipes first , you can lose a lot of money From water damage unless you have 20k speakers repairing floors and walls will cost the most .
Is it a rental or you own house !?
Maybe spikes and cover your electronics with Saran Wrap or something we’re no ports are Arnold !?
Speaker stands , you’re tv will probably not survive if it’s spraying everywhere. Speaker stands for floor standers ?
Click to expand...

There are no pipes to fix. This is just thinking proactively: is there something relatively inexpensive that folks are using to put their speakers on that increases the probability that speakers might survive such a water event?

This is more about being prepared in case something happens.

Hypothetically, someone could live in a condo or apartment. In that hypothetical case, an upstairs neighbor could stop up their pipes or forget to let their faucets drip during a freeze. If a neighbors pipe breaks, water then flows into neighboring units and it becomes everyone's problem.

Again, this thread is not about: "hey go fix your neighbors pipes which aren't broken yet." This thread is about: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Why not lift the speakers fin some way for a bit of peace of mind. It won't guarantee your speakers won't get damaged, but it may be better than doing nothing.

Some might just write it off and let insurance cover the speakers in such an event and not worry about it. But what if you have a vintage pair of speakers that you don't want damaged in the first place?
 
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monkboughtlunch said:
There are no pipes to fix. This is just thinking proactively: is there something relatively inexpensive that folks are using to put their speakers on that increases the probability that speakers might survive such a water event?

This is more about being prepared in case something happens.

Hypothetically, someone could live in a condo or apartment. In that hypothetical case, an upstairs neighbor could stop up their pipes or forget to let their faucets drip during a freeze. If a neighbors pipe breaks, water then flows into neighboring units and it becomes everyone's problem.

Again, this thread is not about: hey go fix your neighbors pipes which aren't broken yet. This thread is about an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Why not lift the speakers for a bit of peace of mind. Some might just write it off and let insurance cover the speakers in such an event and not worry about it. But what if you have a vintage pair of speakers that you don't want damaged in the first place?
Click to expand...
What about floor standing speakers they already have legs ? So you make a mini speaker stand to raise them a foot . How do you protect subwoofer do the same thing ?
Maybe raise surge protector off the ground ??!
 
monkboughtlunch said:
There are no pipes to fix. This is just thinking proactively: is there something relatively inexpensive that folks are using to put their speakers on that increases the probability that speakers might survive such a water event?
Click to expand...

Yeah you never know when a fitting or pipe might fail, especially those plastic nuts holding the line to the bottom of the toilet bowl, (Don't ask how i know :( ) they can become brittle after a few years. At least if your home or close to it that inch or so clearance will buy you some time before damage does occur.

Another option is spikes on a granite slab, might be able to pick a couple up cheap from leftover scraps. Much thicker than tile anyway.
 
A homeowner's or renter's insurance policy with a reasonably low deductible and sufficient coverage for electronics (a rider may be required--read the fine print).
 
I know this can happen, but in reality how often and what really are the chances? I've lived for 67 years and been in many homes over those years. Never had a water pipe break inside the house yet. Outside, yes, but inside never..........KNOCK ON A WHOLE LOT OF WOOD NOW.
 
savatage1973 said:
A homeowner's or renter's insurance policy with a reasonably low deductible and sufficient coverage for electronics (a rider may be required--read the fine print).
Click to expand...

Agreed. But this doesn't need to be an "either / or" approach. Some folks might be fine with just an insurance policy, but that doesn't preclude someone from also elevating speakers they don't want damaged for some additional peace of mind.

Regarding insurance companies, they typically and intentionally wordsmith their policies in such an opaque and obtuse way as to give them multiple exclusionary options to pay out to the customer as little as possible, sometimes paying significantly less than what the policy stipulates is owed to the policy holder (hoping the customer will accept pennies on the dollar and not push back).

Yes, read the fine print. Think you understand it. But when you call your insurance company to report a claim, don't be surprised if the insurance company hits you with "Delay, Deny and Defend" tactics to under pay you. Then you have to lawyer up. Why not also elevate the speakers in the first place?
 
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monkboughtlunch said:
There are no pipes to fix. This is just thinking proactively: is there something relatively inexpensive that folks are using to put their speakers on that increases the probability that speakers might survive such a water event?

This is more about being prepared in case something happens.

Hypothetically, someone could live in a condo or apartment. In that hypothetical case, an upstairs neighbor could stop up their pipes or forget to let their faucets drip during a freeze. If a neighbors pipe breaks, water then flows into neighboring units and it becomes everyone's problem.

Again, this thread is not about: "hey go fix your neighbors pipes which aren't broken yet." This thread is about: "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Why not lift the speakers fin some way for a bit of peace of mind. It won't guarantee your speakers won't get damaged, but it may be better than doing nothing.

Some might just write it off and let insurance cover the speakers in such an event and not worry about it. But what if you have a vintage pair of speakers that you don't want damaged in the first place?
Click to expand...

You could hang your speakers from the ceiling if it'll help you sleep better.
 
monkboughtlunch said:
Some folks might be fine with just an insurance policy, but that doesn't preclude elevating speakers you don't want damaged for peace of mind.
Click to expand...

I understand, but my stereo gear/speakers and collection of media are for personal enjoyment--not a necessity like a roof over my head (in the event of a flood, tornado or fire). I'd feel bad about losing the gear/speakers I have, but their protection does not rank that high on the list of priorities. I have generators--not to make sure that the TV and stereo still function, but to make sure I still have heat and that I don't lose all of the food in the fridge and freezers. Priorities...

I am also not going to compromise the performance and/or pleasure of listening to my audio gear/speakers out of sheer paranoia of a potential water pipe failure in my home. Stuff happens--totally out of your control.
 
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