[Bay Kid]

Got a call from my neighbor that my lawn was turning brown. My home watch guy went to find out what was going on. I had Mr. Baumgardner inspect the system a month ago, all well. Found out someone had turned off my water? Lucky for good neighbors and my home watch guy!

[retiredguy123]

I would monitor the water usage every month. A neighbor may turn off your irrigation water if there is a broken head, or if the system is operating for an excessive amount of time.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I would monitor the water usage every month. A neighbor may turn off your irrigation water if there is a broken head, or if the system is operating for an excessive amount of time.

I spoke with the neighbors on both sides. They saw nothing. Very strange, but I'm sure there is an explanation.

[Topspinmo]

Being you didn’t mention where or how the water was shutoff? Most houses are plumbed where the irrigation is plumbed after the meter and before the house shutoff so most houses the water should of still ran the irrigation. unless the water was shut off at the meter?

[Toymeister]

I recommend a water monitor, this way you will know within one day if the water has been shut off or if there is a leak. Leak detection takes 15 minutes. I know that today I watered exactly 1008.2 gallons for irrigation, for example.

I think neighbors are irreplaceable and home watch is fantastic. Up to the minute, precise monitoring eliminates the human error element. It is light-years ahead of watching your bill.

If you want details I can provide those. The cost was 185.00. I did the install myself no plumbing, it took about 10 minutes. It is cheaper than a new lawn, that is certain!

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

I recommend a water monitor, this way you will know within one day if the water has been shut off or if there is a leak. Leak detection takes 15 minutes. I know that today I watered exactly 1008.2 gallons for irrigation, for example.

I think neighbors are irreplaceable and home watch is fantastic. Up to the minute, precise monitoring eliminates the human error element. It is light-years ahead of watching your bill.

If you want details I can provide those. The cost was 185.00. I did the install myself no plumbing, it took about 10 minutes. It is cheaper than a new lawn, that is certain!

That sounds great. Being away that would be peace of mind.

[Packer Fan]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

I recommend a water monitor, this way you will know within one day if the water has been shut off or if there is a leak. Leak detection takes 15 minutes. I know that today I watered exactly 1008.2 gallons for irrigation, for example.

I think neighbors are irreplaceable and home watch is fantastic. Up to the minute, precise monitoring eliminates the human error element. It is light-years ahead of watching your bill.

If you want details I can provide those. The cost was 185.00. I did the install myself no plumbing, it took about 10 minutes. It is cheaper than a new lawn, that is certain!

I would LOVE the details on that Toymeister

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

I recommend a water monitor, this way you will know within one day if the water has been shut off or if there is a leak. Leak detection takes 15 minutes. I know that today I watered exactly 1008.2 gallons for irrigation, for example.

I think neighbors are irreplaceable and home watch is fantastic. Up to the minute, precise monitoring eliminates the human error element. It is light-years ahead of watching your bill.

If you want details I can provide those. The cost was 185.00. I did the install myself no plumbing, it took about 10 minutes. It is cheaper than a new lawn, that is certain!

You're The Wizard of technology.

[lanabanana73]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

I recommend a water monitor, this way you will know within one day if the water has been shut off or if there is a leak. Leak detection takes 15 minutes. I know that today I watered exactly 1008.2 gallons for irrigation, for example.

I think neighbors are irreplaceable and home watch is fantastic. Up to the minute, precise monitoring eliminates the human error element. It is light-years ahead of watching your bill.

If you want details I can provide those. The cost was 185.00. I did the install myself no plumbing, it took about 10 minutes. It is cheaper than a new lawn, that is certain!

PM'd you.

[Toymeister]

In general there are two ways to measure and control water remotely, one way to control it alone and two to measure it.

I have had PMs on the last so that is what I am addressing.
Either you measure it with utrasound technology or at the meter by detection of movement of the magnet in the meter.

[Toymeister]

Steamlabs uses ultrasound and zip ties on a main pipe. Interior use only. 200.00 on Amazon.

Flume water monitor has been sold by water districts in the arid west to promote conservation. It is also sold directly to consumers. Like Streamlabs it has two parts, a plug in "base" and a battery powered unit that bungee cord straps on the meter in the meter pit by the curb. It doesn't interfere with the meter reads. In fact the meter box isn't opened by the meter readers at all. They use remote sensing technology. Flume is picking up the rotation of the meter as water flows through it. On Amazon for 185.00

Both systems have their advantages. Flume allows you to set a budget and you can see how you are doing against it. Whereas Streamlabs provides a measurement of the gpm, real time. Both provide leak detection. Both work via your home wifi, neither require a subscription.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

Steamlabs uses ultrasound and zip ties on a main pipe. Interior use only. 200.00 on Amazon.

Flume water monitor has been sold by water districts in the arid west to promote conservation. It is also sold directly to consumers. Like Streamlabs it has two parts, a plug in "base" and a battery powered unit that bungee cord straps on the meter in the meter pit by the curb. It doesn't interfere with the meter reads. In fact the meter box isn't opened by the meter readers at all. They use remote sensing technology. Flume is picking up the rotation of the meter as water flows through it. On Amazon for 185.00

Both systems have their advantages. Flume allows you to set a budget and you can see how you are doing against it. Whereas Streamlabs provides a measurement of the gpm, real time. Both provide leak detection. Both work via your home wifi, neither require a subscription.

Darn wifi is on the seasonal plan. Thank you