Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Water Master work?
The Water Master detects and stops water leaks by using an active detection approach that works within the plumbing system in place within a building. The Water Master is an intelligent device that monitors water pressure and water flow looking for the characteristics that indicate a water leak is present. When a water leak is detected, the Water Master instantly shuts off the main water supply and signals that a leak has been detected. Water flow is cutoff to the leaking area as soon as the leak is detected so that potential water damage is limited. Of course, the Water Master is smart enough to differentiate between actual water usage and leaks so that routine usage remains just that—routine.
What types of water leaks does Water Master protect a property against?
First and foremost, Water Master provides complete protection from the damage that may occur from any type of water leak that go undetected for a period of time. As the only active leak detection system that works within the plumbing system, Water Master provides swift and comprehensive leak detection at the source. Water Master provides complete protection from all types of leaks that may occur regardless of their origin. Water leaks come in all shapes and sizes and may occur when the premises are unoccupied for lengthy periods of time. Water Master shuts down water flow within seconds of the detection of a water leak.
Slow leaks, especially when hidden behind walls, ceilings and floors can be difficult to detect with conventional flood detection sensors. Water Master, though, monitors water flow and pressure over time looking for the characteristic patterns that indicate a slow leak. When this pattern is detected, Water Master shuts off the water flow thereby preventing the build up of hidden water damage and mold growth while alerting the owner that a leak has been detected and stopped. Slow leaks are particularly insidious because they can go on undetected for years. Over time, catastrophic damage to a building accumulates while endangering the lives of its occupants from structural failure and unabated mold growth.
Remember, conventional flood detection sensors are only tripped when water has sufficiently accumulated to reach the physical location of the detector. With small leaks, that accumulation can take quite some time and cause damage. Property owners don’t have the time to wait for sufficient water to accumulate before an alert is sounded. Water Master reacts more quickly than conventional flood detection sensors keeping potential damage to an absolute minimum.
How does Water Master prevent catastrophic plumbing leaks?
In virtually all cases, catastrophic plumbing failures begin with a small, slow leak that has gone undetected over time. The Water Master monitors water flow and pressure within the plumbing system around the clock looking for leak characteristics. By design, Water Master prevents catastrophic leaks from happening by proactively detecting small leaks before they have the time to grow into large leaks. Water Master is the only system that hunts out and reports small leaks well before the catastrophe can happen. Water Master, in a sense, is preventative medicine for leaks.
How does Water Master protect building occupants from mold damage?
Water Master stops mold growth by cutting off their leak-based water supply the moment it is detected. Mold can grow on any damp surface. Building materials by their nature are conducive to mold growth. When a slow leak or an undetected leak dampens the surrounding area, air-borne mold spores begin to establish a colony sustained by the building materials. Mold takes between 24 hours and 10 days to establish itself within a building. Therefore, cutting off the water supply as soon as possible is essential. Only the Water Master can detect and report those leaks. When the Water Master kicks into action, the water flow stops thereby drying up the mold’s source of moisture. Since it also alerts property owners of the presence of a leak, they can find and repair the leak before the damage to the property and to the occupants’ health becomes significant.
How much can a water leak cost?
A continuous leak of just 1/16” in diameter can waste 74,000 gallons of water in just a three month period alone. Remember, water leaks on your side of the meter are your responsibility. Water Master is a truly green water conservation product that helps property owners avoid wasting precious water resources and precious dollars on water lost from leakage.
What sort of savings does Water Master offer?
Billions of dollars each year are lost on property insurance claims for water damage resulting from a leak. More often than not, these claims arise in situations where no leak detection measures or inferior passive water detectors are in place. A delayed response when a water leak occurs escalates the losses incurred ranging from personal loss, cleanup costs, mold remediation and higher insurance premiums. An investment in the Water Master can avoid this costly mistake and provide peace of mind. Typically, insurance companies offer insurance discounts if a Water Master leak detection system is installed. Consult your insurance company to see if they can provide you with a discount and learn how much money you can save.
What about water detectors or passive leak detection systems?
Water detectors or sensors wait for the water to come to them. They are placed in discrete locations in a facility. Of course, sensors can’t be placed along every inch of plumbing since that would be costly and infeasible. As a consequence, water must sufficiently accumulate to reach and activate the sensor contained in the passive water detection system. That means that the water continues to flow after a leak occurs until enough water has filled the area so as to trigger the device. No one can afford to wait that long. Water Master detects the leak from within the plumbing system and shuts off the flow within seconds of detection. This active detection approach minimizes the window of time that water would be flowing from a plumbing leak and thereby minimizes potential water damage.
After installing the Water Master will water pressure change under normal usage?
No. Water pressure will be the same after installation.
Will the Water Master disrupt normal water usage patterns?
No. The Water Master will not disrupt the normal water usage pattern within a household or business. Water Master works silently and invisibly protecting buildings from leaks.
Can the Water Master tell me the location where a leak is present?
The Water Master detects and reports the presence or absence of a water leak within the piping system it is managing. In a clustered deployment of Water Masters (for a multi-tenant facility), the Water Master detecting the leak will signal the cluster affected. Beyond that, the Water Master cannot locate the precise physical location in a specific pipe. Once a leak has been detected and reported, your plumber will have the tools necessary to precisely locate the leak.
After the Water Master has shut off the water, how is the Water Master reset?
The Water Master can be reset by pressing the System Reset button on the device or by pressing a button on the convenient remote control.
In the event of a power outage, will the Water Master still provide protection?
Yes. The Water Master will automatically shut the water off in the event of a power outage. If water is needed during the outage, the bypass valve can be opened so that water is accessible. When power has been restored, the bypass valve must be returned to the closed position so that Water Master can continue to protect the property.
If a fire were to occur, would the Water Master shut off the fire sprinkler systems?
No. The Water Master will not shut off the fire sprinkler system. Typically the fire sprinkler system is installed in the main water line before any safety taps to ensure that fire protection is the top priority. The Water Master is installed after the fire sprinkler system to guarantee that it would not shut off that system.
How does the Water Master handle sprinkler systems and other appliances that might require long periods of water use or very small amounts of water?
The Water Master is intelligent enough to manage long demands for water coming from any sprinkler system or appliance that might require long periods of water use, or very small amounts of water use. It is designed to work in accordance with all appliances and systems that use water.
What sort of maintenance does the Water Master require?
The Water Master, by design, does not require any routine maintenance to function properly and it is built to last.
Are there any additional products that must be purchased for the Water Master to fully protect a building?
No. Everything one needs for operation is included with the Water Master. It is ready to operate and protect a facility right out of the box.
Commercial Applications
Commercial facilities use more water that is delivered by large and complex plumbing systems in support of that demand. According to EPA estimates, 20-25% of water consumed within commercial buildings is wasted due to leakage. In addition, a quarter of all insurance claims made on commercial properties are the result of water damage due to water leaks and subsequent flooding. Furthermore, undetected leaks pose significant health and environmental risks from the growth of mold and mildew within the facility. Mold and mildew remediation is extremely costly as is the potential liability resulting from workers comp claims and health-related lawsuits.
What types of facilities can employ Water Master?
The Water Master may be deployed in any commercial facility or multi-tenant dwelling including:
- Apartments
- Condominiums
- Dormitories
- Hotels
- Office Buildings
- Hospitals
- Churches
- Prisons
- Manufacturing Plants
- Shopping Malls
- Restaurants
- Retail Establishments
- Military Bases
Multi-Unit Dwellings and High Rise Buildings
Condominiums, apartments, dormitories and hotels are especially prone to catastrophic water damage because of the distributed nature of their water consumption. When a single unit in a stack or cluster manifests a leak, the damage is not necessarily confined to that unit. Water will find its way into adjoining units and inflict additional damage well beyond the immediate proximity of the actual leak. Keep in mind that water damage cost will increase as it travels from floor to floor, occupants daily operation or routine will be disrupted creating customer dissatisfaction.
How is Water Master deployed in Multi-Unit Dwellings and High Rise Buildings?
Clustering the deployment of Water Master’s so that they cover groups of units will provide comprehensive coverage while localizing detection and reporting to manageable regions. In practice, Water Master’s are deployed to cover groups of units, for example, 4, 8 or twelve units that are serviced by a common tap. That deployment scheme provides comprehensive coverage while limiting the leak detection span to the smallest range possible.
Can the Water Master be integrated into a remote monitoring or building management system?
Yes. The Water Master can be connected directly to most remote monitoring or building management systems to remotely report detected leaks. The Water Master can also be remotely reset from those same systems. When deployed in a clustered arrangement in a multi-unit or high-rise situation, each Water Master can be individually connected and identified in the remote system providing detailed location information of the cluster affected by a leak.
Who can employ Water Master?
Property developers, commercial real estate managers, property management firms, homeowners associations and virtually any company that owns or operates a commercial facility. Builders and architects can also plan them into green construction as a water conservation measure.
Can Water Master be used for Water Conservation?
Yes, absolutely. Local, state and federal agencies offer incentives and recognition for improved water conservation, improved environmental quality and reduced energy consumption. Water Master gives commercial building operators and managers a significant edge in managing unplanned and uncontrolled water leakage that preserves the property, reduces its environmental footprint, reducing insurance premiums and saves money.
Residential Applications
What is the process for installing the Water Master?Installing the Water Master is fairly easy. It is installed in the main water supply line at the point of entry into a residence and monitors the entire plumbing system from that location.
Can an average homeowner install the Water Master himself or herself?
Yes. The average homeowner can install the Water Master if they have the experience and knowledge necessary for the installation process. A homeowner who is “handy” would most likely be able to accomplish the job however it is recommended that a professional plumber install the Water Master to ensure the highest quality connections. If the Water Master will be connected to a security system, a qualified electrician would be a safe bet.
Can the Water Master work with a home security system?
Yes. The Water Master can be connected to most home security systems to provide remote reporting of detected leaks and low flow conditions.
Does a single Water Master fully protect a home?
Yes.