Detecting leaks (quickly!) is essential to protecting your home and savings. In-line smart water security devices that monitor your entire home’s plumbing can save thousands on home insurance claims. They detect leaks immediately and automatically shut off the home’s water to prevent catastrophic damage.
At Moen, we aim to empower every homeowner to protect themselves from water damage, loss and costly consequences. To help you get started, we’re sharing our biggest secrets for saving money while investing in smart water security. There are lots of ways to save money on leak detection. Our recommendation? Let your insurance company pay for it.
Insurance companies may pay to install a leak detection device in your home.
Yes, you read that right. Insurance companies may pay their customers to install a leak detection system in their homes.
Why? Insurance companies have a major interest in lowering the cost of hefty insurance claims made by their customers. Leak detection systems, like the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff, do exactly that. We’re actually proven to save thousands of dollars on homeowners’ insurance claims every year.
Not only will insurance companies often help with the costs of purchasing the system, but many will also even go the extra step to ensure that it actually gets installed. This can be done in different ways, from rebates or reimbursing the cost to the homeowner directly, to collaborating with leak detection companies to curate a specific product for its homeowners that discounts the cost of either the device, installation, or both.
Insurance companies also have other ways to incentivize homeowners to adopt a leak detection system in their homes, besides reducing the setup cost. Each is different, but many offer additional discounts on premiums when you install a smart water monitoring system. Device manufacturers may even offer deductible reimbursements. With our optional FloProtect Plan, our We-Pay $5,000 Deductible Guarantee covers up to $5,000 of your insurance deductible in the event of unforeseen water damage. Don’t forget about the cost of installation while shopping different brands
Total-home leak monitoring and detection systems like the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff must be installed on the main water line, which involves cutting the pipe to insert the device. If you haven’t had regular maintenance, installation can also be an opportunity to gain insight into other aspects that may need special attention.
Installation varies in price from state to state, plumber to plumber, and job to job. You can easily find a qualified, local Moen Pro to install a Shutoff in your area with our Profinder tool. Here are some factors to consider when estimating the cost of installation:
Device size
Leak detection devices vary in size, which can make it easier or more difficult when it comes to fitting on your main water line. The larger the device, the longer the length of pipe required for installation on the main water line. If you take a look at where the device will be installed, you can try to estimate if it will be a clean cut-and-simply-insert, or if additional pipe (“S” or “U”) looping will be required. Look closely at the dimensions of leak detection devices to better understand what installation costs for your home.
To give you a better sense, let’s look at the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff as an example.
| Width | Height | Depth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flo by Moen 3/4” Shutoff (for pipes 1/2"" - 3/4"" wide) | 5.75 in. | 5.9 in. | 2.6 in. |
| Flo by Moen 1” Shutoff (for pipes 1"" wide) | 7.36 in. | 5.9 in. | 2.6 in. |
| Flo by Moen 1-1/4” Shutoff (for pipes 1-¼” to 1-½” wide) | 7 in. | 7.7 in. | 3.4 in. |
Installation site
Smart water monitoring devices require more than just the device and piping. They often require connection to the internet and access to power. To meet the needs of the device, accessories may incur additional expenses. Does the installation site allow for seamless integration to the home’s Wi-Fi and power?
The installation site begins at the main line shutoff valve (smart water shutoffs will be installed after the already-existing shutoff valve, it is not a replacement). If the nearest power outlet is far from the site, you may need to purchase one or multiple extension cords. If there isn’t an outlet nearby that can be reached by an extension cord, an outlet installation by an electrician may be required.
Having a strong Wi-Fi connection is also important to keep the system running. Some homes may require a Wi-Fi extender to boost connectivity strength if the installation site receives a weak Wi-Fi signal. This is one of the reasons why, if the main shutoff valve can only be accessed below ground, some additional work would likely be required to bring it above ground to install a smart water monitoring system.
Conclusion
Every smart water security configuration is unique, depending on the system you choose and its installation in your home. While some costs are fixed, there are different factors that can increase or decrease the entire system price when it comes to purchase and installation. There are steps you can take to save money when it comes to smart water security. Do your research to ensure your confidence as you make the decision to protect your home, one drip at a time.
With the varying cost of installation, if your insurance company has a deal that keeps installation at a lower bundled price, this is likely the smartest option. Additionally, you gain further assistance past the point of purchase from both your insurance provider and the manufacturer as you complete the additional steps of installation — in our experience, this support greatly improves the experience with the installation process.
If you are unsure if your insurance provider has any partnerships with companies selling smart water devices, give them a call. Advocate for your safety and your savings — remind them it is in their best interest, too.
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