Watts Floodsafe? Not Very! part 1

**Redwood** · 02-08-2009, 09:46 PM

For some time I have been posting telling people to avoid Watts Floodsafe supplies for Toilets, Faucets, Icemakers, Dishwashers, and Washing Machines.

I have been posting telling of how I had a customer have one break at the compression connector to the Floodsafe Valve connection point causing a lot of water damage to his home.

The day I did that job I did not have a camera with me to get a picture of the evidence. The Floodsafe Supply was not installed by me as I was already avoiding them because of the nuisance trips that are fairly well known to happen with them. The supply was retained by the customer as evidence.

Recently a person seeing one of my posts on this connection failure E-Mailed me photo's of the same thing happening at his house. A Watts Floodsafe Dishwasher Supply failed at the same connection that I was talking about. The connector was not over tightened, 1/3 of a turn with the wrench and the compression connector was turning by hand, pressure was 70 PSI. the valve just blew apart on it's own flooding the house and causing about $25K in damage maybe higher if the entire wood floor has to come up or, just the kitchen portion.

In his own words, "I think the valve was poorly manufactured or damaged during manufacture. Like I said before, no freeze, no physical damage I could see. Just blew all by itself. Bury Watts all you want, this product is crap."

Here is a picture of the failed connector under the sink.

Here is a picture of the failed connector. Note how the connection between the compression fitting and the safety valve is where the failure occurred. This left the compression fitting on the stop valve spraying water while the safety valve blew off.

Here is a picture of the label on the failed Watts Floodsafe Dishwasher Supply.

**Redwood** · 02-08-2009, 09:47 PM

This is a picture of the flooded kitchen hardwood floor.

This is a picture of the ceiling below the kitchen prior to demo.

And this is the picture of the same area after demo.

**Cass** · 02-09-2009, 04:54 AM

25 K ...even if the insurance company covered it I would go after them for the deductible just because...

**SewerRatz** · 02-09-2009, 05:43 AM

I never liked the braided supply lines period, and around here the local inspectors do not like them as well.Its just one of the many things they come out with trying to "improve" on things but in reality makes things worse. like Orangeburg pipe.

**kingsotall** · 02-09-2009, 01:09 PM

POS invention

**Scuba_Dave** · 02-09-2009, 01:12 PM

I considered one of these, glad I opted not to install it

**mmbodyshop** · 02-27-2010, 09:08 AM

I have not been able to find any information on whether anyone else has experienced a total failure with the Watts Floodsafe supply lines? This product was installed on my dishwasher in my newly built home, which has turned out to be a very bad idea. After a month of use the supply line broke between the compression fitting and the "floodsafe" shutoff valve. The compression fitting had been installed per the manufacturers instructions (hand tighten and 1/4 turn with wrench); which was confirmed when I removed it with a 1/4 turn and hand loosened. The insurance ajuster agreed it appeared to be a defect in the hose/construction.

As a result of the failure water filled the kitchen, master bedroom, dining room, living room, and unfinished basement. So far to date we are looking at approximately $15,000-$20,000 damage, more if we end up having to replace the custom cabinets.

**Gary Swart** · 02-27-2010, 09:18 AM

If you had been a regular on this forum, you would have learned that this is all too common with the Watts Floodsafe lines. The problem is the entire product is worthless. Sad to say that this is just another lesson learned too late. I hope your insurance will come through for you.