One of the concerns consumers have when buying Ring sensors is whether they’re waterproof or not.
This is especially a concern when purchasing outdoor motion sensors.
Ring sensors are technically not waterproof, but they’re water-resistant. They’re tightly sealed to withstand light showers and strong winds, but they may malfunction when immersed in water or exposed to intense shower jets. Thawing snow can also ruin sensors.
If your Ring sensors are likely to be exposed to water or snow, you’re better off taking extra precautions to protect them from water damage.
This article will address water resistance in the Ring sensors and enlighten you on how you can protect them against water damage.
What Makes Ring Sensors Water Resistant?
Ring sensors have a weather-resistant design that allows them to function optimally.
The case is also water-resistant, which is an important barrier that keeps the water away from the sensors, at least for a while.
Unfortunately, prolonged exposure to water can ruin your sensors.
Outdoor Ring sensors are water-resistant because they’re made from zinc die-cast, a capacitive material that improves resistance against corrosion. Ring sensors that are likely to be more exposed to harsh weather are given a black zinc treatment, which protects against humidity and corrosion.
Although Ring sensors have features that protect them against water damage, you can take extra steps to waterproof them, so you don’t have to worry about them malfunctioning.
You can keep your sensors safe by acting immediately when alerted of potential flooding in your home.
Tips on How To Make Your Ring Sensors Waterproof
Your Ring sensors may be water-resistant, but you need to take steps to shield them from exposure to rain and other water sources. You can do this in several ways:
- Strategically place your Ring sensors in areas where they’ll be exposed to no or very little water.
- If you have no option but to place the Ring sensors in an area where they’ll be exposed to heavy rain, create a diversion to redirect the rain away from the sensors.
- Place weather-blocking devices, such as plastic shields and silicone covers, over the Ring sensors to keep them from getting wet.
Why You Should Waterproof Your Ring Sensors
Even though ring sensors have water-resistant features, you should consider waterproofing them for various reasons:
- Outdoor Ring sensors are exposed to harsh weather conditions that make them more susceptible to damage than indoor Ring sensors.
- Waterproofing your sensors guarantees that they’ll keep functioning irrespective of the weather.
- The electrical wires in the Ring sensors can short circuit when exposed to water.
- Water can cause the Ring sensor to fail to perform optimally. For example, the sensors may not trigger a response from your smart home devices, such as lights and alarms, when there’s an intruder.
- Waterproofing the Ring sensors will prevent moisture buildup, which can cause rusting within the device.
- Water will damage the battery in the Ring sensors, causing you to replace them frequently.
- Waterproofing will save you money in the long run since you won’t be forced to keep replacing your Ring sensors.
Can You Waterproof Ring Sensors Using Paint?
Paint acts as a waterproof agent, and it can work on the Ring sensors.
However, before painting them, find out how this will affect your warranty.
The policy only covers the Ring sensors when they’re in their original state.
If you wish to make a claim in case of damage, you may need to consider other waterproofing methods.
You can waterproof Ring sensors using paint, but some plastics don’t hold paint well.
ABS and polycarbonate plastics hold paint better than PVC and polypropylene. Ensure you remove the sensors and lenses before painting the ring sensor case.
The type of paint you choose to use on your Ring sensor will determine how well waterproofed it’ll be.
You should also consider the possibility that the paint won’t prevent water from infiltrating the sensor, especially after it’s exposed to harsh weather over a long period.
Will Paint Affect Ring Flood and Freeze Ring Sensors?
Ring Flood and Freeze Sensors are supposed to detect extremely low temperatures, so painting these sensors may not be a great idea.
Paint can affect Ring Flood and Freeze Sensors because it may make them waterproof, which may interfere with their ability to detect a flood or low temperatures quickly. These sensors are designed to alert you when the temperatures fall below 40°F (4.44°C).
When the sensors detect water or low temperatures, they should sound an alarm.
Your property will then be protected against flood damage.
Painting them may make them more attractive, but it may not be worth it if the sensors stop working as they should.
The Ring Flood and Freeze Sensor (available on Amazon.com) has a replaceable battery with a shelf life of three years and works with a Ring alarm system (sold separately) to alert you of a potential flood or low temperatures.
This YouTube video shows what happens to the Flood and Freeze motion sensors when exposed to water:
Can Outdoor and Indoor Ring Sensors Be Interchanged?
While outdoor Ring sensors have been weatherproofed to provide extra protection against extreme heat and rain, indoor Ring sensors don’t have the same features.
Outdoor and indoor Ring sensors can’t be interchanged. While the outdoor Ring sensor can be used indoors, the indoor Ring sensor can’t be used outside. Most outdoor sensors get the black zinc treatment to improve water resistance, and using them indoors won’t cause them any harm.
However, the same can’t be said when indoor ring sensors are used outside.
Before you interchange indoor and outdoor ring sensors, you should find out why these sensors have been designated for specific areas.
Besides the weatherproof features, the outdoor sensors may be stronger than the indoor sensors.
The Ring Motion Sensor (available on Amazon.com) is a battery-powered spotlight that can brighten a small or large area whenever motion is detected. It comes with an indoor ring bridge which you can customize and connect with other ring devices.
Conclusion
Ring sensors have some degree of waterproofing that protects them against water damage.
However, you shouldn’t avoid exposing these sensors in extreme weather without additional protection.
You’d rather be too cautious instead of risking your security and spend more money replacing your sensors.
