Smart water shut offs - Has anyone installed them? Do they work? Are they worth it? etc.

jgg765 · September 14

Hello,

I was wondering how people feel about the smart water shut offs has anyone installed a smart water shut off valve.

Plus Smart Water Assistant & Shutoff (2nd Gen)

Moen 900-006 Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff in 1-Inch Diameter

Thank you.

Jamie Hall · September 14

I have my doubts, though it would be nice. My question is… define "leak". It pretty well has to be something about flows, but what? Considering that one drip a minute — less than a gallon a day — in the wrong place (like behind plaster or drywall) can do an appalling amount of damage given time, is that a leak? Or is it a 1 1/2 inch main at 60 psi making like Niagara Falls? Or…?

I'll be watching this thread!

Larry Weingarten · September 14

Hi, I have installed Moen and another off-brand because insurance companies in the West are threatening to cancel home insurance if you don't install them. I can only hope they actually do some good. 🤨

Yours, Larry

FloMo201 · September 14

I went with a DIY product…..Econet Bulldog Valve Robot Provided you have a ball valve as your main shutoff. This sits on top of the ball value and can articulate the arm to close the valve. It does use sensors that you need to place in strategic locations. But, its a fairly fool proof setup and nothing needs to be learned to work properly.

https://www.econetshop.com/

Cheers, Flo

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes · September 14

It’s another bothersome thing you have to monitor that sends you alerts. It’s insurance: something you get because you’re made aware that a catastrophe might happen.

mattmia2 · September 14

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1903788#Comment_1903788

i met someone that had a system that used the analysis of sound, possibly ultrasonic to determine what was a leak. i'd imagine it is like GFCI or AFCI products, they will get increasingly better as real world experience increases.

hot_rod · September 14

The issues I have hears is they shutoff prematurely, maybe on a large hose bib draw? I suppose better to error that way then not shut off if there is a burst pipe?

EBEBRATT-Ed · September 14

Sounds like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. I suppose in some buildings it makes sense. Do a walk through and keep your eyes open for problems and you don't need it imho.

Pipes generally don't burst apart and flood. Even water heaters don't usually blow apart.

Just make you wonder if this is a reaction to pex, cpvc, shark bite etc etc etc. Did we need these with copper joints and soldered joints?

i know just and old fart talking.

mattmia2 · September 14

i've heard numerous stories of copper joints that got missed when the pipes were sweated that held for years then popped apart one day

Mad Dog_2 · September 14

Flologic...yes. no issues we are aware of over the last few years. High Quality product. $$$$..Mad Dog

JohnNY · September 15

@jgg765 I have about 50 of them installed in the field and 20 of them on my phone as some customers have me as the primary contact for alerts. I install FloLogic and Leak Defense. What would you like to know?

They work very well except for those first couple weeks when the valve lets you know you've actually got a toilet that runs all night…sometimes. Or you forget to let the manufacturer know you've got an irrigation system so they can pre-program that in. Or a backwashing filter that cycles once every 10 days.

Most recently, I had an alert that water had been running continuously for 3 hours after some work was done in the home and a fitting went unpressed. The automatic shutoff may have saved thousands of dollars worth of damage. They have their value.

Smart water shut offs - Has anyone installed them? Do they work? Are they worth it? etc.

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