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Question about the WaterCop Sergeant Basic Water Damage Actuator, Water Valve and Sensor Package with Low Lead Valve

Q: "I live in California. I want to install a WaterCop to protect my condominum from future water damage. Our condo association was not happy, nor was I, when repairs from a leaking dishwasher caused over $20,000 in repair costs from a leaking water dispensing refrigerator leak. I am encouraging the entire condo association to install WaterCops and moisture sensors to add protection and keep our insurance premiums down. Does this unit meet the specifications for California lead? Thanks. Tom.

Answer: Dynaquip controls has added what are called "lead free" or "low lead" brass full port water valves as an option to their Water Cop line. These valves comply with the California AB1953 Standard as well as the Vermont S.152 Ultra Low Lead Law. The cost of these units is more because making brass with little or no lead adds considerable expense to manufacturing.

The electrical actuator and moisture sensors are identical to the original units.

To protect your condominium community, please advise your condo board that WaterCop units and sensors should be ordered pre-set from the factory. We've handled orders like this in the past. What we need to know is the number of units and the number of sensors and adapters (most prefer AC rather than battery powered sensors). By numbering the units say 1 through 50, your condo community can be assured that if there is a leak in say Unit 101, that the unit next door will continue to have water because the actuator and sensor settings will be different!

If your community plans to expand, the best approach is to have the WaterCop ready lead free valves installed during the initial construction. Then the actuators and water sensors can be added later just prior to occupancy.  Why pay twice for a water valve!.

Currently, these units are available in 1/2 inch valve, 3/4 inch valve , 1 inch valve and 1 1/4 inch valve sizes. The 1 1/4 inch actuators and valves are more expensive: the power requires to quickly open and close the valve is higher for the larger valves. Remember you can reduce the size of a water line to fit a smaller valve. The most popular sizes are the 3/4 inch and the 1 inch.

Thanks for your question. Please contact us for a quotation when your condo association is ready to install the WaterCops. One condo association reported to us that they were close to being uninsurable until they installed the WaterCops. Then the yearly premiums dropped 15%.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the Floodstop 3/8 Inch Automatic Water Shut-Off and Alarm.

Q: "Water is seeping through the floor under my dishwasher. Right now there is just a small wet spot. My basement is to be finished this winter so I want to protect the house from water leaks from the dishwasher, toilets, etc. if I can. I see that you have a device that would shut off the water to the dishwasher and sound an alarm if the new dishwasher (to be installed soon) leaks in the future. How complicated is it to install the valve? What other units are available? Thanks. Tom"

Answer: My suggestion is to have the appliance store deliver the new dishwasher and have their plumber install the Floodstop at the same time. Check your local tax laws. Currently, at least in Iowa and in Pennsylvania, you don't pay sales tax on the appliance if the store delivers the unit and does the installation. Depending upon your locale, the additional plumbing charge may be $50 and up. The protection is worth it.

Most dishwashers are next to a sink since they use the sink drain. The plumber would install one or more water sensors on the floor where the dishwasher will be placed (we recommend a minimum of two), the water valve, attach the alarm valve turn off unit to the wall (probably under your sink), and plug in the unit. The sensors should be tested by wetting them. After they are dried and the water valve is reset, then the dishwasher is installed.

The FloodStop unit for dishwashers and toilets has a 3/8 inch compression valve that connects to the angle stop and the supply line. You do need electricity unless you plan to change batteries at least once per year. (The unit draws power only to open or close the valve.) For AC, use the 4 C batteries, not included, as back-up. Contacts allow the option of connecting to phone dialers, alarm systems, X10 home automation devices, etc. There is also a 9 foot controller valve extension cord available to allow mounting of the controller in a more or less visible location. The length of cord included with Flood Stop leak detection alarms is 2.5 feet.Transformer extension wires are also available.

We also sell Floodstops for water heaters, washing machines that does not require a plumber, sinks, icemakers with 1/4 inch lines etc. All units have a one year warranty by the manufacturer. We've had customers literally saved from flooded homes from these units especially from leaking washers and water heaters.

Floodstop Dishwasher, Toilet and Ice Maker Unit Information:

* The FloodStop valve is connected to the angle stop and supply line

* Water/leak sensor is placed at the base of the appliance or fixture (Dishwasher; Sink; 3/8" Icemaker; Toilet; etc.)

* Valve stays open until water loss is detected

* Water on sensor closes FloodStop valve and sounds alarm * Valve stays closed until problem is attended to and system is reset

FloodStop 3/8 Inch Water Valve and Water Alarm Components:

1. Motorized Full-Port Ball Valve (3/8" Compression).

2. Control Unit with Battery Backup (4 C batteries, not included).

3. AC Power Adaptor (or use 4 X C Batteries as Primary Power Source).

4. Water Leak Sensor.

5. Output Contact Wires (2).

Thank you for your question.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the product:
FloodStop 3/4 in Valve Water Heater Shutoff COMPRESSION Product Code: : FS-3/4-C .

Q: "It looks like your system has a control box with buttons. Can I turn the system off or on with this controller placed remote from the shutoff valve? I would like to be able to turn the whole water supply off when I am away." -Kevin

Answer: The FloodStop controller must be placed near the hot water heater. The only extension wires available are for the AC adapter.

Yes, you can turn the system on and off remotely. The FloodStop Controller indeed has three buttons, mute, close valve and open valve.The outputs are normally closed. You can use contacts for any device that can utilize them, like auto phone dialers, alarm systems, X10 home automations devices., etc. There is a 4-pin connection to valve/sensor connector.

We do sell a whole house water shut off device, the WaterCop , that has a remote shut-off option. That unit is installed on the main water valve into the house. Water sensors are placed under or near appliances such as water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, water dispensing or ice making refrigerators, etc. The remote shut off can be placed anywhere you please as long as it can be connected to the Watercop controller with Cat 5 cable.

Please contact us if you need more information. The manuals for these products are on our website.

Sincerely,
Barbara

Question about the product: Washing Machine FloodStop FS3/4H-90.

Q:"Please tell me how many inches it is from the valve connector to the inside 90 of the device. Please send diagram with measurements if possible. Our valves are located in the back of the box and I have concerns if the valves will protrude past the front cover, plus I want to install water arrestors. Thanks, Jim."

Answer: We checked with the manufacturer's rep as this was beyond our expertise. Bob's response: "I have no diagram available for him, but understand his question.

The distance from the inlet end of the valve where the spinning female threaded collar is to the inside edge of the 90 degree downward outlet end of the valve is 2 9/16 inches (slightly over 2.5 inches). The FloodStop 3/4-H90 was specifically designed for wall box type installations. Numerous wall boxes were evaluated to determine the valve design so it would fit all brands. I cannot remember when someone returned a FloodStop 3/4-H90 because the outlet end of the FS valves did not protrude past the front cover of the wall box. Typically installing water arrestors increases the extension of the FS valves out from the hot and cold water hose-bibs."

FYI: The FloodStop is a dual valved water damage control device that turns off water to a washer machine when the water sensor (placed usually under the machine) senses moisture. The newest model utilizes AC power with a battery backup and has twin ball valves that shut off the water.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely,
Barbara

Question about the FloodStop Water Heater 1.25 Inch Ball Valve NPT

Q: "What is the temperature range of the fluid this product can handle i.e., can it be used on a hot water line?"

Answer: Yes. All the FloodStop valves can be used on residential hot water applications. Safe Home Products sells several dual-valve FloodStop models for washing machines and sinks: one of the 2 valves in each kit will be installed on the hot water supply line. The temperature range is limited to what a typical residential water heater can reach, i.e 160 degrees F. Like any valve, the FloodStop valves should not be subjected to freezing temperatures.  These are lead free ball valves.

I’m curious about your application for the FS 1.25-NPT, as this unit is typically used for water heaters where the valve is placed on the inlet (cold) water supply. If you plan to use it on a water heater, you may not have considered the valve is installed before the water heater (cold water) and not after the water heater (hot water).

Feel free to contact us if you have additional questions. Thank you for your question.

Sincerely,
Barbara