Water usage monitors? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 04-12-2016, 11:11 AM

Hi I have had some recurring problems with sticking inlet valves in toilets and some other similar woes resulting last month in a nearly 700 dollar water bill on a meter that is usually about 175. I searched and found some devices which will shut down the entire water service if a standard of usage is exceeded.

The cost is substantial, around 1000, but would be worth it if it does what I'd like done. Anybody have any experience with such devices? There must be some downside to it.

greazzer · #2 04-12-2016, 11:16 AM

you can get an in-line gizmo which is part of the toilet flex SS water line which is supposed to shut off the water if it "observes" a leak. We have these, and they really work. We had a tiny, tiny leak in the crawl space with the downstairs 1/2 bath and that caused the water supply to the toilet to literally stop. Wasn't horrible under the house, and probably no more than 50-100 gallons until I got off my lazy butt and checked out things. The line is pretty cheap, around $15 bucks each.

t walgamuth · #3 04-12-2016, 11:25 AM

That sounds like a good idea. Does that include the stainless supply line?

Thanks Mark!

kerry · #4 04-12-2016, 11:52 AM

I'm curious about those too. It used to be that apts came with devices like that--tenants with half a brain.

I can't find those in-line devices with a google search. Any idea of the exact name or brand?

kerry · #5 04-12-2016, 12:05 PM

Is it this?

Toilet Guardian Elite – Model TG-1000 A

It looks like this is a fictional product, near as I can tell.

sunedog · #6 04-12-2016, 01:53 PM

Twice, I have had a water bill 10 times my normal usage. (Both times the culprit was an in ground irrigation system.) Our local water authority will "forgive" up to 50% of a high water bill if you document to them in writing the root cause of the problem and show them a receipt for what you did to fix it. So appeal to them. They may be sympathetic.

If they're tough with you, demand to know how much water THEY lose through leaks in their distribution system. The amount is probably shocking. Read this if you want to get pissed off:

As Infrastructure Crumbles, Trillions Of Gallons Of Water Lost : NPR

t walgamuth · #7 04-12-2016, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunedog

Twice, I have had a water bill 10 times my normal usage. (Both times the culprit was an in ground irrigation system.) Our local water authority will "forgive" up to 50% of a high water bill if you document to them in writing the root cause of the problem and show them a receipt for what you did to fix it. So appeal to them. They may be sympathetic.

If they're tough with you, demand to know how much water THEY lose through leaks in their distribution system. The amount is probably shocking. Read this if you want to get pissed off:

As Infrastructure Crumbles, Trillions Of Gallons Of Water Lost : NPR

good idea! Thanks sundog!

Maybe Mark can provide a source for the valves he speaks of.

I found a very expensive device which fits into the line with a substantial brass fitting that resembles something the meter mounts to.

t walgamuth · #8 04-12-2016, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I'm curious about those too. It used to be that apts came with devices like that--tenants with half a brain.

I can't find those in-line devices with a google search. Any idea of the exact name or brand?

Heh heh! half a brain indeed! One of the tenants with a twice leaky stool is a phd candidate who is pretty bright in her field I suppose.

One though was a sloan valve in a urinal in the basement which is mainly used by me a few times a year and my maintenance man/brother a few times a week. We may disable that completely. Its a luxury that is not worth the risk of a leak.

TX76513 · #9 04-12-2016, 04:54 PM

Fluidmaster has a toilet water delivery valve with this built in now - Believe its called Leak Sentry. Saw at Lowes.

catmandoo62 · #10 04-12-2016, 05:48 PM

yup i have one of those in one of my toilets that had a small leak.if the tank is full and it slowly leaks out the water level drops to nothing,but no water will reenter the tank unless the handle is pushed down.

KarTek · #11 04-12-2016, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

Fluidmaster has a toilet water delivery valve with this built in now - Believe its called Leak Sentry. Saw at Lowes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by catmandoo62

yup i have one of those in one of my toilets that had a small leak.if the tank is full and it slowly leaks out the water level drops to nothing,but no water will reenter the tank unless the handle is pushed down.

Yes! I just installed this "rebuilding kit" on one of my toilets. It actually works.

$20!

t walgamuth · #12 04-12-2016, 07:09 PM

Cool! That gives me a couple of choices.

kerry · #13 04-12-2016, 07:28 PM

I looked at those Fluidmaster leak preventer valves about ten years ago. For some reason, which I can't recall, I decided against them. Perhaps I read some bad reviews.

kerry · #14 04-12-2016, 07:30 PM

Some bad reviews here:

http://www.amazon.com/Fluidmaster-400LS-Leak-Sentry-Valve/dp/B000BQUHUQ#customerReviews

INSIDIOUS · #15 04-12-2016, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Heh heh! half a brain indeed! One of the tenants with a twice leaky stool is a phd candidate who is pretty bright in her field I suppose.

One though was a sloan valve in a urinal in the basement which is mainly used by me a few times a year and my maintenance man/brother a few times a week. We may disable that completely. Its a luxury that is not worth the risk of a leak.

Put a Worcester ball valve in front of it. Times of use, open it. Other wise, nope. OTH simply maintaining all the plumbing might be the answer, and perhaps a front end filtration system would reduce needed maintenance over all.