Returning home from work to find your carpet soaked in water, do you relate? Well, it might not be to that extreme. But one thing remains; water is destructive when it intrudes into some areas.
Whether it is a sudden pipe burst due to freezing or a minor leak around the sink, you need a quick fix lest it ruins your home’s beauty.
While most homeowners dial the plumbers as the first response, shutting off the valves should be the immediate action. But what if the mess occurred at midnight when you were deep asleep?
Or you were out of the country for a vacation with the home unattended? Still, if you were within, locating the leak would be another uphill task.
If you want to avoid the huge costs of reversing the effects of a plumbing system gone sour, installing a smart water shut off valve system is the ultimate solution. Check out the best auto water valve below.
Quick Navigation in this Resource
Quick Comparison Table
Here are top picks at a glance!
| Product | Compatible Smart Home Platforms | Tube size ( inches) | Pipe types supported |
| LeakSmart Water Shut Off Valve | Nest, IRIS, SmartThings, Wink | ½, 1, 1 ¼ | PVC, PEX, Copper |
| Dome Water Shut Off Valve | Wink, Nexia, HomeSeer, SmartThings | ½ to 1 ¼ | Copper, PVC, PEX |
| Owfeel Smart Water Valve | No smart hub required | All | PVC, copper |
| Smart Wi-Fi Water Shut Off Valve | — | ½, ¾, 1, 1 ¼ | Copper, PVC |
| Moen Flo Water Shut Off Valve | Does not require a smart hub | ¾, 1, 1 ¼ | Copper, PVC, PEX |
What should you consider when buying a Wi-Fi Water Shut Off Valve?
Type of protection required
Auto water shut off valves can either be the whole house or appliance only. You can choose depending on your needs but installing a whole house system is more worthwhile.
For total home protection against water damage, sensors can be fixed around various appliances or in the utility room when using a valve system for the entire house.
Response time
The time the valve takes to shut off after detecting a leak should be minimal to ensure water does not cause any damage in the home.
If you purchase a valve that will take minutes to turn off following a pipe burst, then it would be no better than a regular unit.
The response time for a good auto water shut-off valve should be 5 seconds at maximum.
Material
The valve material determines its durability, therefore, the stronger the material the more years it will serve you.
For ultra-longevity, choose a valve made of stainless steel though it will be costlier.
1. LeakSmart Water Shut Off Valve
If you want an automatic water shut-off valve that will integrate with your smart home platform to prevent leaks and flooding in every part of the home, the LeakSmart valve got you covered.
The wireless, water-hardened LeakSmart sensors are placed around the leak-prone areas including pipes, water heaters, HVAC unit, or bathroom.
In case of a water leak, the sensor sends a text notification to your smartphone, sounds an alarm, and signals the valve to shut off simultaneously.
Within 5 seconds, the valve springs into action and shuts off the main water supply to your home.
The LeakSmart Automatic water shut off valve accommodates various kinds of pipe materials and installations including SharkBite and NPT threaded. Valve size is either ¾ inch, 1 inch, or 1-1/4 inches.
It is compatible with SmartThings, IRIS, Nest, and Wink smart home platforms but requires LeakSmart Hub which is sold separately.
The package includes one sensor and a backup battery for power supply during outages.
Pros
· Very short response time of 5 seconds
· Compatible with smart home
Cons
· Comes with only one sensor
Dome Water Shut Off Valve
As an add-on, you install the Dome water valve over the existing valve to ensure total security against leaks.
You can use it to automate any quarter-turn ball valve device including water heater, radiant heat system, and the likes. It supports valves measuring up to 1.5 inches in size. The installation requires only a screwdriver. Thus, you can save on the extra cost of hiring a plumber and do it yourself within a few minutes.
When paired to a leak sensor, the valve automatically receives a signal of any unwanted water and shuts off the main supply.
Using the Z-Wave Hub mobile app, you can monitor your water system remotely and shut-off the valves in case of any leak.
The Dome Home automation water shut-off valve is compatible with HomeSeer, Wink, SmartThings, Nexia, among other smart home platforms.
Pros
· Affordable
· Straightforward installation
· Dual control options; automatic and manual
Cons
· Pairing with a smart home hub can be tricky
Owfeel Smart Water Valve
The Wi-Fi smart Owfeel valve gives you complete control over your water system whether you are away or at home.
Using the Smart Life mobile app on Android or iOS devices, you can remotely open or close the water valve with only a touch of a button.
Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, the valve executes voice control commands immediately. And in case of a power failure, the valve can be turned on or off manually using the clutch located at the bottom of the unit.
The timer allows you to program when and how the valve opens or closes. This is therefore a good option for watering your garden when you are away. It works with the standard 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
Pros
· Easy installation
· Sturdy clamp
· Excellent remote control
Cons
· An underpowered motor leads to undesired shutoffs.
· Poor customer care support as reported by some users
Smart Wi-Fi Water Shut Off Valve
For voice control, you can connect the valve to Google Assistant, Alexa, or Tuya Smart app, and enjoy hands-free operation.
Besides, the mobile phone app allows you to turn on or off the water valve from anywhere with the option of setting a timer for automatic opening or closing even in the absence of leaks.
For automatic shut-off during leaks, it must be paired with a sensor that you buy separately. In the event of a power outage, you can manually turn off the valve using the clutch fitted with a pull ring at the bottom of the unit.
It is easy to install since you only need to add it to existing valves. No pipe cutting works involved making it a DIY project. Notably, it is only for a ball valve and can support pipes of ½, ¾, 1, and 1¼ inches diameter only.
The package includes the water valve, power adapter, and hardware bracket.
This unit is incompatible with SmartThings.
Pros
· Does not require a smart hub
Cons
· Requires Allen wrench for installation instead of a screwdriver
Moen Flo Water Shut Off Valve
This wifi smart water shut off valve will automatically turn off in case of leaks to prevent any water damage to your home. But you can also operate it via the mobile app from any location.
Designed with MicroLeak Technology, the system proactively monitors your water system to pick the tiniest leaks even in foundations.
This valve can fit on pipes of ¾ to 1 ¼ inches diameter. For installation, it is recommended that you consult a professional as it is slightly complicated.
It works with Alexa, Google Home, and IFTT without the requirement of a smart hub.
For the power supply, it uses either AC or DC connection.
Besides protecting your home against water damage due to leaks, you can review your daily usage and set conservation goals via the mobile app.
Pros
· Detects even micro leaks in the entire water system
· Works with Alexa without the need for a smart hub
Cons
· Installation takes hours even when done by a professional
· Quite expensive
FAQs
What is the difference between Wi-Fi and regular water shut off valves?
Wi-Fi water shut off valves can be controlled remotely via an app or will automatically turn off when there is a leak provided it is paired to a sensor. Besides, some can be integrated with smart home devices. On the other hand, regular water shut off valves can only be controlled manually by turning on/off using a clutch.
How long does it take to install a Wi-Fi water shut off valve?
The installation depends on the type of valve. The add-ons such as the Dome Home Automation Water shut off valve will take only a few minutes and you can fix it yourself. However, the whole house systems such as Flo Moen will take hours even when done by a professional.
Which is the best-rated shower systems auto shut off valve?
For the best shower controls, Wi-Fi water shut off valves compatible with voice control devices or smart home platforms are recommended by experts and homeowners. They allow you to turn on/off the shower easily during use or after.
Final Words
Most homeowners think of automation in terms of lighting, temperature control, security, and entertainment but they forget to incorporate the water system.
While it may be an expensive undertaking when done for the whole home, the potential expenses it saves you are exceedingly great.
Therefore, installing one of the aforementioned auto-shutoff water valves is a worthy investment you should consider as a homeowner.
Read this also: Best tank-less water heaters
