Floodstop?

http://www.hometech.com/security/floodstop.html

Looking at this system. Thinking of putting the valve on the main right inside where it enters the house just past the manual shutoff. Since my WH and Washer/Dryer and Dishwasher will all be in the kitchen, I'm concerned about flooding. I'd love to be able to shut off the water in the event of a large leak to keep the water from flowing, and only having to then deal with whatever water came out until the pressure dropped to zero in the line.

I'd also like the ability to be able to easily shut off the water completely if I'm going away for a weekend, etc.

This system looks to be fairly inexpensive and still accomplish what I'd like. Any reason not to go with this one? Anyone have any experience with it?

If you use that system, you'd have to run wires from the sensors at the washing machine and dishwasher back to the control valve.

There is a device called Water Cop which uses sensors attached to wireless transmitters.

There is yet another system, much more expensive, which uses NO additional sensors. It reads the main water flow and if it sees a sudden increase in flow rate, it assumes there is a leak somewhere and shuts down the supply for the whole house. I can't remember the name, nor can I find it when I search - but I'm sure one of the pros here will help us out.

How about installing a ball valve on the main so you can shut if off whenever you want?

I get false alarms with mine which are annoying. The sensors are very sensitive and a drip from anywhere will set them off, sometimes even condensation. It is also very heavy on batteries unless you have a receptacle to plug the valve in (there might not be one near your main entrance).

And how is your water heated? I have a gas water heater and I would worry about shutting the water off for too long if I was not at home. Perhaps I shouldn't worry. I dunno.

One of the most frequent sources of water damage is a leaking WH. My neighbor can attest to that as his let loose last night with no apparant warning.

Taco makes a valve they call WAG that goes into a safety pan under the WH. If it senses water (takes about 1/2", thus the need for the pan), then it shuts off both the water to the tank and disables the gas input. No power required - it uses a water soluable disk that when it disolves, allows a spring loaded piston to close. The same sort of thing that triggers life vests to autoinflate when you hit water; very reliable. The piston also operates a switch that goes to the gas valve, essentially disabling the main burner.

kordts said:

How about installing a ball valve on the main so you can shut if off whenever you want?

Click to expand...

Have a ball valve on the main right where it comes in the house. But it's extremely hard to get to. If I was home and something let loose, it would take me probably an actual 5 minutes to get to and shut off the main. Most of my plumbing is very close together, so there's not really a place farther down the line but before fixtures to add another ball valve that would be more accessible.

My WH is gas. But, being in the kitchen, the potential for expensive damage is high, and it wouldn't take very much water. I bet 10 gallons would be enough to start getting into the Living room and hitting the HW floors. There isn't room for a normal drain pan in the alcove my heater is in. It's not wide enough. I may fab one up that will work when I replace the heater. But there's still the danger of the Clothes washer, which is next to the water heater in my case, bursting a hose.

Thanks for the opinions