Water Alarms/Shut-off Valves for the Train Room

Joe,

I use the LeakSmart System which I had installed in my home several years ago. It has worked well and has proven to be a real peace of mind item especially when we are away or on vacation.

There is a main on/off valve device on the incoming water line and sensors which are placed throughout the house under sinks, the laundry room, and utility room with the water heater. When the sensors detect water they will automatically activate the valve to "close/off." At that point I receive email and text notifications of a "leak detected."

I can also close and open the valve anytime on my own from the phone based LeakSmart app. The app is easy to use and configure.

I'm a satisfied customer.  Here's a link:

https://leaksmart.com/

I notice that LeakSmart doesn't give you a hint of how much the stuff costs.  Also, while they talk about no need of WiFi, etc. they don't say how they connect when there's a power failure and you have no Internet connectivity in the home.

I use the National Hurricane Center. Those 30 foot tides wreck havoc on my layout. 

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I notice that LeakSmart doesn't give you a hint of how much the stuff costs.  Also, while they talk about no need of WiFi, etc. they don't say how they connect when there's a power failure and you have no Internet connectivity in the home.

You must have connected to the Double Secret Probation site, John. I see prices all over their web site. 

Yep, I was looking for them in the descriptions, I didn't go to the "product" page.  However, my real concern is what happens if the power fails and my Internet is out?  My alarm system has cellular backup that kicks in if it doesn't have Internet.

Like any device it needs power and a good connection; for interrupted power they have backup batteries; for loss connection it has its own hub that connects to the sensors; so it only needs internet to contact you but not to operate.

Yes, the "connect me" is what I was referring to.

John

IF it's shutting off the water preventing a flood and I'm away do I really need to know that then?

They make valves that will fail closed.  In other words,  it takes power to open and maintain the valve in the open position. A manual bypass valve could be installed, but one has to remember to close the bypass valve unless it is needed.  These valves are somewhat expensive depending on type, etc.  The HVAC world would have the less expensive options while the industrial world will be more.  I used them all the time when designing chemical plants. 

Just an option.

If you have an alarm system in your house you can have sensors connected to your system and have them monitored by their central station. Any alarm would be sent to them and you will get a call.

As to power, a back up generator is the best for reliability of your network connectivity.

@AlanRail posted:

IF it's shutting off the water preventing a flood and I'm away do I really need to know that then?

Most assuredly yes!  I'm shocked you'd have to ask that question.  I certainly want to know if something is amiss in my house as basic as water service!  Shutting off the water if there's a leak is also bad if the water heater empties out with the electric/gas still trying to heat water, just for one example.

@RSJB18 posted:

If you have an alarm system in your house you can have sensors connected to your system and have them monitored by their central station. Any alarm would be sent to them and you will get a call.

I do have sensors connected to my central alarm, and we do get alerted directly on our phones by the alarm app.  However, having the ability to turn off the water would be useful, but I sure want to know about it.

@RSJB18 posted:

As to power, a back up generator is the best for reliability of your network connectivity.

Well, only for electric service.  However, we regularly have outages because trees take down power lines and the Verizon FiOS lines.  The generator ain't gonna' fix the downed Internet lines.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Most assuredly yes!  I'm shocked you'd have to ask that question.  I certainly want to know if something is amiss in my house as basic as water service!  Shutting off the water if there's a leak is also bad if the water heater empties out with the electric/gas still trying to heat water, just for one example.

I do have sensors connected to my central alarm, and we do get alerted directly on our phones by the alarm app.  However, having the ability to turn off the water would be useful, but I sure want to know about it.

Well, only for electric service.  However, we regularly have outages because trees take down power lines and the Verizon FiOS lines.  The generator ain't gonna' fix the downed Internet lines.

All true John. I have FIOS at my house and it has been reliable through many storms and two Hurricanes. A cellular back up could help but it depends on how far do you want to take it.

The automatic shutoff is by far the best. If the valve is powered open with a spring return, or a solenoid,  then it would close automatically if power went out. Low water cut-off sensors could help protect the water heaters.

I run a large University campus with many stand-by generators, and UPS systems,  and even a 2.0 MW co-generation system. We have redundancy all over the place on the IT network.  Stuff still breaks and fails but at least we can say we tried.....

Bob