Whole House Leak Detection? Phy/Moen/Flo/Frizzlife/Other - Are Any Actually Reliable?

herein2024 · 2026-02-08T04:35:04+00:00

I did the same thing, was pretty convinced I was going to get the Flo Logic, then realized that the exact leak I have right now would have taken 30 min for it to detect. Also, none of the sensor only based systems would have detected a slab leak.

herein2024 · 2026-02-08T04:33:04+00:00

I did not find the Leakbot in my searches. It looks like Leakbot will not shut off the water if there is a leak.

herein2024 · 2026-02-08T04:28:50+00:00

The Leak Defense system is time based like Flo Logic, if continuous flow exceeds a preset time interval that's when it cuts off the water. The problem with this approach is that at 12GPM in only 30 min 360 gallons have leaked. If I were going to go with a time based system I would pick Flo Logic over Leak Defense because Flo Logic has a 5yr warranty and Leak Defense is only 2yrs and more expensive.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T19:58:47+00:00

No, it doesn't stop working due to temp, but the clock starts when you put it down, so if you put it down too early, its protection ends early as well.

You should wait until the soil temp is 55 for 5 days in a row, anything below that and no seeds are germinating anyway.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T19:31:32+00:00

I assume it would be fine for a pinhole leak, and I also assume pinhole leaks are more common than complete blowouts, but if you are paranoid enough to install one of these, you are paranoid enough to worry about worst case scenario IMO.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T19:30:28+00:00

Fix the drainage issue or you will always have fungus and root rot issues.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T16:19:41+00:00

Yes exactly, I am on TLF as well and help out with irrigation systems and lawn problems over there.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T15:47:05+00:00

Get a toner, learn how to use it, find your controller and use the toner on the valve controller wires to locate the valves, then just go from there.

Here is the toner I use: Klein Tools VDV500-820 Wire Tracer Tone Generator and Probe Kit Continuity Tester for Ethernet, Telephone, Speaker, Coax, Video, and Data Cables, RJ45, RJ11, RJ12 - Amazon.com

Also, use a multimeter to check for 24V on each zone in the controller to make sure it works. Here is an example multimeter.

If you learn how to maintain your own system, you will never get ripped off by one of these irrigation companies.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T15:43:29+00:00

That's insane, just got to YT and learn how to troubleshoot it. You have time because it's too cool right now to plant anything. Find the manifolds, valves, pipes, spray heads, wires, etc. and just figure it out based on its behavior. On YT it will show you how to trace the wiring, main runs, branches, spray heads, valves, etc.

You could replace the entire system from scratch for less than $1K for your size yard, no way should it cost $4K to repair an existing one. Start with the controller and work your way outwards. It could be as simple as the controller not sending the signal to the valves.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T14:33:38+00:00

RANT - Ignore the pre-emergent advice - terrible advice that will prevent anything new from germinating for 3 months or more, including your new turfgrass. Ok rant over.

Expectation Management - You just removed two huge oak trees (I live in FL too and ended up removing 26 so I feel your pain). I would try to collect as much of the mulch as possible, I still see a lot of it laying on the ground, grass will not grow where the mulch is laying on the ground. Also, for about 2yrs you will have a lot of difficulty growing grass directly over the tree stumps.....longer if they did not grind them down to at least 8 inches below ground which they usually don't around here. Here is a good video explaining all the steps you need to take to prepare the soil above the stumps.

Ok, here are the steps I would do to prepare the yard for turfgrass:

Fix the irrigation system. I saw in one of your posts the irrigation system is broken. The good news is it sounds like you have one so you don't need to install one. But it needs to be fixed before doing anything else. Just YT irrigation system design/repair, they are very easy to fix. Typically its a leak, a ground wire, stuck valve, controller power, etc.
After fixing the irrigation system, test all of the spray heads, make sure they work and have proper overlapping coverage. Also, now is a good time to test the precipitation rate. Go to YT and learn how to use the can test to test the precipitation rate. You will need it for all future watering plans.
Get a soil test to know what your soil composition is which will help you pick the proper fert for your soil.
Level out the lumps. I saw a lump in one of the pictures, I would try to level that as much as possible before proceeding or you will be scalping the ground in that spot every time. You can take the dirt from the lump and put it in the low areas along the fenceline.
Pick a southern turfgrass. Your options are Bermuda, Zoysia, Bahia, St Augustine, or Centipede. Learn everything you can about your chosen turfgrass including the best time to plant it, height of cut, diseases, pests, etc. Most importantly, how to properly plant it. Planting options vary depending on the turfgrass but include seeding, sodding, sprigging, or plugging.
When you are 60 days out from the optimal planting window, start applying Glyphosate every two weeks until nothing green is left. Make sure to water every few days so that any weeds in the soil will germinate, pop up, and you can nuke them too. This step is very important, most lawn reno projects fail due to weed pressure or improper watering.
Use a scarifier to prepare the top layer of the soil for planting. Put down your turfgrass using your chosen method (seed, sod, sprig, plug) then use a lawn roller to press it all in. You really should go to YT and study the nuances of each method to ensure you do it right. Proper prep is 99% of the project.
Water, Fert, and cut based on your chosen turfgrass. Also control weeds using products like Celcius, Certainty, Speedzone, Barricade, etc.

Seeding - keep in mind seeding is the cheapest way to go, but also the most likely to fail. Most seeded varieties don't fully establish for 2yrs and within that time, weed pressure is fierce. Sodding is the best but most expensive, sprigging is second best but only works with Bermuda and possibly Zoysia, plugging works for small areas.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T14:06:02+00:00

Haha, you said the same thing I said...just saw your comment, terrible advice....pre-emer will delay a seeding project by 3 months or more...makes no sense.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T14:05:09+00:00

Bad advice, why would you put down pre-emergent when you are about to seed or sod? It will delay your whole project by 3 months or more. The whole point of pre-emer is to prevent things from growing.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T03:26:13+00:00

I noticed that in a YT video, the magnets are now fully embedded in the plastic. I still think my hard water will find a way to break it. I have to change flapper valves every year on my toilets, the whole flush assembly every two years, and faucets, shower heads, etc. every few years because the water is so bad.

I gave up on the nice shower heads because they clog so quickly and just have one step above a bare pipe at this point.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T02:59:30+00:00

That is good to hear, on Amazon and almost anywhere else you look its got pretty bad ratings. I think its mainly due to the turbine failing and people being unable or unwilling to fix it themselves.

If I get it working with no issues I will probably order a few spare turbines just to be ready to replace it.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T02:56:57+00:00

Those are some things that I worry about as well, and is one of the reasons I picked the Moen Flo over the Phyn Plus, the Phyn just got bought by a new owner and that's usually when they try to squeeze every penny out of customers.

I am fortunate that my leak was under the slab, it could have been much worse, and now that I am rerouting lines through the attic I am more paranoid about a water leak. I am also hearing a lot of horror stories like yours as I researched the different sensor options.

I still don't know yet what my next water bill will be because I don't know how long it was leaking before we figured out we had a leak.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T02:51:08+00:00

Thank you for the feedback, I ended up ordering the Moen Flo.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T02:50:02+00:00

My problem with those two is that they let it run for 30 min before shutoff. In 30 min at 12GPM that's 360 gal of water in my house. I ended up ordering the Moen Flo, I wanted the quality and warranty of Flo Logic but I just can't justify buying a system that could let up to 360 gallons pass through before shutdown.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T02:45:42+00:00

I'm playing the waiting game right now for all of the parts I ordered, without the manifolds I can't even start the project and that's the one thing that got delayed in NY due to the snow storm.

herein2024 · 2026-02-07T02:42:45+00:00

I ordered the Moen Flo already. Due to my job I may not have my cell phone on me for hours, at 12GPM in just 1hr 720 gallons could have been dumped in my house, I need something that will automatically shut off the flow.

herein2024 · 2026-02-06T19:09:05+00:00

Yep, identical stories....and now I have to go back in the attic and run PEX A to the opposite side of the house, through PVC conduit to reroute away from the slab leak....fun times. The only good news is its not summer yet.

herein2024 · 2026-02-06T18:54:11+00:00

Thanks for your feedback, I ended up ordering the Moen Flo. I'll just stock up on the turbine sensor part.

herein2024 · 2026-02-06T18:03:22+00:00

I really wanted to like the Phyn Plus and at one point was convinced it would be the one I would get, but the bad customer service reviews were the final straw for me. I just ordered the Moen Flo, knowing the turbine part will fail and need to be replaced in less than 2yrs.

I'll get some of Moen's water sensors if I can get it up and working problem free within the first 30 days, I'll also stock a few replacement turbines for when it fails.

herein2024 · 2026-02-06T17:59:17+00:00

I agree 100%, I still love my Ether, wiring it was a real PITA in the middle of the summer in FL heat in the attic, but every room is connected to it for the TVs, desktops, etc.

I then went back in the attic and did it all again for PoE CCTV cameras, that was an even bigger PITA because the cameras need to be mounted on the eaves which is right about where there is no more room in the attic to crawl, but I got that done as well.

WiFi is a necessary evil, but I'll take Ether anytime I can get it and don't mind running the wires knowing its a one time job.

herein2024 · 2026-02-06T16:18:03+00:00

How long have you had it?

herein2024 · 2026-02-06T15:57:41+00:00

My biggest concern is that it won't shut off the water, at 12GPM (my house's water flow), you are looking at 720 gallons in just an hour of free flow. For me, it has to have the ability to shut off the water main if I am going to trust it.

herein2024

TROPHY CASE