Water leak detection and remote shut off

[ElDiabloJoe]

I STFF and found the existing threads on the topic to be at least 2-3 years old. Figured it was time for a new one, what with new people, new technologies, etc. So here goes:

Does anyone have a solid, reliable, and preferably reasonable, solution for remote leak detection and water shut off?

There are a handful of cheap alarms that sound off when they sense water, but I'm looking for ones that sense a potential leak and shut off the water supply. Preferably automatically and with cellphone (via wifi) notification and ability to control.

This is for the months I am not in residence.

Looking forward to you all's input. Thank you in advance.

[Altavia]

I use Flume for irrigation broken head/ leak detection. No automatic shutoff so you would need to phone a friend locally.

[villagetinker]

There is Moen system that appears to be able to do what you want, however, I have no experience with this.

[Bogie Shooter]

Why not shut water off when you leave?

[birdbob]

I use Flume for irrigation broken head/ leak detection. No automatic shutoff so you would need to phone a friend locally.

I use Flume on my irrigation meter as well. Runs $250 (discounted on Amazon Prime days). No automatic shutoff as mentioned. Battery lasted 18 months (just had to replace it).

[jeffmull]

Yolink has a system that looks great for this. I use several of their remote products including thermostat, leak detection, temp,and motion sensors. A unique thing about their tech is they use a low frequency comm system that doesn't rely on Bluetooth or wifi so distance is much further and battery life is many months or even years.

I don't use the auto water shutoff valve, but I know they have them. I get notified here in FL if one of the sensors goes off. It's been a solid system for a couple of years now.

[tophcfa]

Why not shut water off when you leave?

There’s your answer. Throw a valve, turn off your hot water heater, and don’t worry about water leaks while away. Irrigation leaks are still a possibility, but checking out your water usage through your monthly utility statement will enable you to easily identify a water leak. If I notice unusually high water usage while away, a phone call to our lawn service and irrigation contractor would be the next step. In ten years we have never had a water leak in our irrigation system. Occasionally, an older irrigation head will leak while the system is running, but as soon as the irrigation zone shuts off the valve closes off all water to the zone.

[Maker]

Yolink has a system that looks great for this. I use several of their remote products including thermostat, leak detection, temp,and motion sensors. A unique thing about their tech is they use a low frequency comm system that doesn't rely on Bluetooth or wifi so distance is much further and battery life is many months or even years.

I don't use the auto water shutoff valve, but I know they have them. I get notified here in FL if one of the sensors goes off. It's been a solid system for a couple of years now.

Ditto for YoLink.
Fantastic devices and solid performance.

[thevillages2013]

Why not shut water off when you leave?
Maybe the OP will answer but those who have pools don’t turn their water off because it will disable the autofill on the pool . The water could drop below the level of the induction for the filter. If I ever lose my mind and get a pool built it will definitely have a separate shut off for house and pool water

[Peteyandmikey2024]

I installed the Moen FLO system and it works VERY WELL! I have wireless sensors at every possible leak point in the house. If a sensor detects water, its shuts the water off to the entire house at the shut off point in the garage. FLO also monitors water flow and if it is unusual activity, it will also shut off the water. It sends a text message to you immediately and tells you where the leak is detected or what unusual activity it has sensed. If you are going to use a lot of water for something not usually done, you can go into the FLO app and set it to not monitor for a period of time. I Installed 11 sensors in the home. It’s money well spent! I bought the Moen FLO on Amazon. Hope this helps.

Mike in Fenney




This is for the months I am not in residence.

Looking forward to you all's input. Thank you in advance.[/QUOTE]

[rsmurano]

I automate my whole home using HomeKit and matter devices. There are a number of HomeKit aware leak detection devices and whole house water supply line shutoff devices so if the leak detection device senses a link, you tell the water shutoff device to activate which closes the valve.
You will need to have internet service in your home. But if you’re a snowbird, water leaks are only part of the story you want to monitor, you should monitor:
Sprinkler system, hvac, garage doors, front, back and garage interior door locks, stove, refrigerator, and lights. I can look at my Home Screen and check every device, I can get messages that a lock or garage door is open, and I can configure each device so if it’s open for 15 mins and the geofencing is invoked, close the garage door or lock the door lock.

[gorillarick]

Yeah, I just shut my household water off.

More important (in Florida) is monitoring the AC. Few years ago, I put in a smart thermostat that I can monitor and even control anywhere in the world where I have wifi.
In a previous location in Florida I came home to a busted AC.
Bugs and mildew love the warmer temps and humidity, and then days without AC in the middle of hot. Not good.

[Kjbatl]

I have the Flo by Moen system in my house. Very easy to install inline on the input line of your house in the garage. It will notify you if it detects unusual activity and if you don’t respond back it will shut off the water based on what you set up. It does automatic leak test as well as monitoring. You can remotely turn the water on and off as needed. It works well. The small water wheel inside the unit has magnets that spin to measure flow. This little part corroded after a couple years with the hard water and I had to call Moen. They shipped me a kit to replace the wheel and it took 5 minutes to complete the swap. I would recommend it

[RRGuyNJ]

I STFF and found the existing threads on the topic to be at least 2-3 years old. Figured it was time for a new one, what with new people, new technologies, etc. So here goes:

Does anyone have a solid, reliable, and preferably reasonable, solution for remote leak detection and water shut off?

There are a handful of cheap alarms that sound off when they sense water, but I'm looking for ones that sense a potential leak and shut off the water supply. Preferably automatically and with cellphone (via wifi) notification and ability to control.

This is for the months I am not in residence.

Looking forward to you all's input. Thank you in advance.

What is a STFF? WHY do people insist on these acronyms? Too lazy to type out a few words? OK, I vented, back to your normal daily programming.

[ElDiabloJoe]

What is a STFF? WHY do people insist on these acronyms? Too lazy to type out a few words? OK, I vented, back to your normal daily programming.
Sorry. You're right. I'm usually not a fan of truncated verbiage (lazy English), however after a career where speaking in codes and numbers has become a second language, I assumed common forum abbreviations were, well, common. STFF stands for Searched The F@(&^g Forum. Essentially quickly telling responders that I already performed a search and read the applicable results so they do not feel I'm wasting their time with the umpteenth thread on a topic, thereby encouraging useful insight and thoughtful, high-quality results.

Which I certainly received here, thank you all very much.

I'm going to do some web research on the Moen Flo (does EVERY sensor need to plug into an outlet - I don't have those under my sinks generally), the YoLink products, and I would really like some details from @rsmurano about his (her?) HomeKit wired house .What products he (she?) used where and what s/he estimates the total all-in cost was to put it together. Very interesting options.

As for why I don't just shut it off when I leave, along with the hot water heater, the issue for me is that HomeWatch has to turn it all back on to flush toilets, etc. Every time they turn the valve and pressurize the system (and don't drain it) puts wear/tear and pressure on the components which, in my experience, are quick to fail. The more I've used a toilet's water supply line valve to do some work on it, the more likely that valve failed down the road. Of course YMMV. Sorry, RailRoadGuyNewJersey who doesn't like abbreviations - like the one in his user name, YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary. Essentially, you may not have the same experience(s) I had or have. Just playing with you, not trying to be insulting. Just a little gentle elbow to the ribs. :-D

[Lisanp@aol.com]

I am presently working with a plumber to do this exact thing on my northern home as required by my insurance company. They require it to be either the Moen Flo or Flow Logic system. Both detect leak, shut off water and notify via app. They both require electric near the water main. In FL I just shut off the water main when we leave.

[gobuck827]

Sorry. You're right. I'm usually not a fan of truncated verbiage (lazy English), however after a career where speaking in codes and numbers has become a second language, I assumed common forum abbreviations were, well, common. STFF stands for Searched The F@(&^g Forum. Essentially quickly telling responders that I already performed a search and read the applicable results so they do not feel I'm wasting their time with the umpteenth thread on a topic, thereby encouraging useful insight and thoughtful, high-quality results.

Which I certainly received here, thank you all very much.

I'm going to do some web research on the Moen Flo (does EVERY sensor need to plug into an outlet - I don't have those under my sinks generally), the YoLink products, and I would really like some details from @rsmurano about his (her?) HomeKit wired house .What products he (she?) used where and what s/he estimates the total all-in cost was to put it together. Very interesting options.

As for why I don't just shut it off when I leave, along with the hot water heater, the issue for me is that HomeWatch has to turn it all back on to flush toilets, etc. Every time they turn the valve and pressurize the system (and don't drain it) puts wear/tear and pressure on the components which, in my experience, are quick to fail. The more I've used a toilet's water supply line valve to do some work on it, the more likely that valve failed down the road. Of course YMMV. Sorry, RailRoadGuyNewJersey who doesn't like abbreviations - like the one in his user name, YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary. Essentially, you may not have the same experience(s) I had or have. Just playing with you, not trying to be insulting. Just a little gentle elbow to the ribs. :-D

I have the YoLink sensors deployed in my Villages home and up North. They are battery powered and require no power outlet for the sensors. The hub requires a power outlet and connection to your WIFI router, in my case direct ethernet connection.

[nealhittepole@gmail.com]

I have the Moen Flo at my CV in the villages and also in a condo in Ohio. Have used leak sensors with a smart home (SmartThings) system with a Z wave shutoff but changed to the Moen so it will monitor toilets etc.

[jrref]

If you have any water detection system that doesn't have an automatic shutoff, I guess it's betterh than nothing but you always want a system with an automatic shutoff.

Why? Because if a water supply hose for the toiles, washer, dishwasher, etc., bursts, it's all over in a matter of minutes. You have a flood with major damage and cost to repair. Even a small leak can cause damage. Generally, when you install a new hose you might experience a small leak but most of the time, the hose will burst when they get old.

There is also a system by Homeseer but you need to be a little technical to use it.

[retiredguy123]

I agree that you need a water shut off system. But, if you're cheap, like me, you can buy about 7 or 8 battery operated water alarms and place them under toilets and sinks, and other water valves, all for about 20 dollars from Amazon. For me, they have detected 2 leaks in my house that have prevented major water damage. One was a leak in the garbage disposal and the other was a leak in the water heater expansion tank. A great investment for inexpensive peace of mind.

[ElDiabloJoe]

I agree that you need a water shut off system. But, if you're cheap, like me, you can buy about 7 or 8 battery operated water alarms and place them under toilets and sinks, and other water valves, all for about 20 dollars from Amazon. For me, they have detected 2 leaks in my house that have prevented major water damage. One was a leak in the garbage disposal and the other was a leak in the water heater expansion tank. A great investment for inexpensive peace of mind.
That's half the battle right there. The exacerbating issues are not being there (snowbird) when the alarms go off, and getting the water turned off, again while not being there.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Are these the systems being referenced and applauded?

Flume Water | Smart Home Water Monitor | Water Leak Detector (https://flumewater.com/)
Meet Flo Smart Water Shut Off | Smart Water Monitor | Moen (https://shop.moen.com/pages/flo-smart-water-monitor?srsltid=AfmBOopE1iCWKRnBDzMwFtBJbc8R7w4ZH0 MBZGyI5j_mbemHT08uU6Zn)

[JoelJohnson]

Yolink has a system that looks great for this. I use several of their remote products including thermostat, leak detection, temp,and motion sensors. A unique thing about their tech is they use a low frequency comm system that doesn't rely on Bluetooth or wifi so distance is much further and battery life is many months or even years.

I don't use the auto water shutoff valve, but I know they have them. I get notified here in FL if one of the sensors goes off. It's been a solid system for a couple of years now.

I've been using YoLink (YOSMART.COM) for a couple of years now. I started with the connected hub and added the voice hub later. I have sensors everywhere where a water leak can occur. Recently added the water shut off value (I had a plumber install it, although I could have installed it myself). The batteries are AA, good for about 2+ years and easy to replace. I also have the garage door sensor and control (to open or close the door). The hub announces when it opens or closes and even warns me it is open after a time I set up. It uses its own "WiFi" system (which is good for about a quarter mile).
Set up is very easy (QR code), and even "programming" is no big deal (but they respond quickly with any questions you have). Since it is connected to my in-house router, I can see what's happening any time and open/close the garage door anywhere . I also have door sensors to let me know when a door opens (or closes).

If you get the system I can help you install it. (No fee as I do this kind of stuff for anyone in The Villages (JoelJohnson530@gmail.com).

[JMintzer]

I've been using YoLink (YOSMART.COM) for a couple of years now. I started with the connected hub and added the voice hub later. I have sensors everywhere where a water leak can occur. Recently added the water shut off value (I had a plumber install it, although I could have installed it myself). The batteries are AA, good for about 2+ years and easy to replace. I also have the garage door sensor and control (to open or close the door). The hub announces when it opens or closes and even warns me it is open after a time I set up. It uses its own "WiFi" system (which is good for about a quarter mile).
Set up is very easy (QR code), and even "programming" is no big deal (but they respond quickly with any questions you have). Since it is connected to my in-house router, I can see what's happening any time and open/close the garage door anywhere . I also have door sensors to let me know when a door opens (or closes).

If you get the system I can help you install it. (No fee as I do this kind of stuff for anyone in The Villages (JoelJohnson530@gmail.com).

Do you need the YOLINK hub (an add on) or can the device tap into your home wifi router or SimpliSafe?

[jrref]

Do you need the YOLINK hub (an add on) or can the device tap into your home wifi router or SimpliSafe?

You need the Yolink hub.

[retiredguy123]

///

[retiredguy123]

I have never tried to install an automatic shutoff system, but it seems to me that there may not be enough space in the garage valve box to accommodate these devices. My water supply box is only about 9 inches wide and almost all of the space is used by the pipe elbows and the main shutoff valve. Even if you cut into the drywall, there is still not enough space because the pipes are under the concrete slab. I wouldn't want to install the device outside. My guess is that most people don't not go to the trouble and expense to install a shutoff device. That is why I suggest buying the inexpensive battery operated water alarms from Amazon. I agree that these will not prevent damage if you have a major pipe leak, but your homeowner's insurance will cover the damage. Snowbirds should close the main water valve when they leave town.

Perhaps someone can post a photo of a completed installation of a shutoff device and the cost (in dollars) to install it.

[JoelJohnson]

That's half the battle right there. The exacerbating issues are not being there (snowbird) when the alarms go off, and getting the water turned off, again while not being there.

That's why I have a Yolink water shutoff. I will shut the water off to the house if ANY leak is detected. I also get an email telling me. I can call someone to go into the house to see what is happening and fix it. Then I can turn the water back on (any where there is internet access).

[JoelJohnson]

You need the Yolink hub.

But you can connect to other smart home services. (Like Alexa)

[gobuck827]

But you can connect to other smart home services. (Like Alexa)

To connect with other smart home services a YoLink hub is required. The sensor "pucks" will only communicate with the hub.

[justjim]

Several years ago we purchased a condo and it already had the Water Cop. Sensors were placed at all possible water leak places which then shutoff the water if there was a leak. This works great in condo complex’s and I understand in some new condos they are put in when built. My home here in TV I use a house watch person and shut off the water when I leave. No problems.