Water is a vital and crucial element for all living things. Therefore, the need to have an excellent, quality water distribution system is essential. More often than not, the condition or state in a particular location doesn’t permit us to build a quality water distribution system, especially those done via underground pipes.
In the western US, clean water has become expensive and scarce. In fact, according to the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), an increasing number of homes lose about trillion gallons of water every year because of leaks. Given this statistic, it is wise for every home to have a technology that can spot leaks.
In this post, we’ll walk you through leak detection using flow meters. Take a read!
Effective Flow Measurement
It is a vital and noble objective to save the world by conserving water. However, the short-term or momentary aim for most water utilities is to cut down costs. Most private water institutions are conscious about reducing costs since every wasted water drop is profit they cannot bill for.
Sure, clean water comes with a hefty price, but so does to uncover leaks. Generally, you will need manpower and equipment to dig. However, there was a period or era when nobody cared or minded about water loss.
Also, many rural neighborhoods did not have water meters. Years pass by, and the expense of non-chargeable water loss skyrocketed. Now, it is hard to look for a community not charging, not less than a flat rate.
One way for water companies to attain huge savings, relying upon the cost of water, is to have flow meters such as vortex flow meters. A quality flow meter technology can determine or detect a possible leak by getting the flow measurement.
Through technological advancements, flow meter technology has progressed, as well. Today, some options can be installed without cutting the pipe. All you need to do is to insert the flow meter to help you locate water loss.
Flow meters can protect homes and buildings from water leaks and help save money on water bills by providing them real-time water usage data. Look for something with at least a five-year warranty. Also, take note that there are different residential sizes and commercial sizes. Thus, it is wise to know the pipe size beforehand.
Effect of Water Damage
Water losses because of water damage are an increasing problem, particularly in colder climates. Unpredictable and extreme weather variations, poor maintenance, improper insulation, faulty fire sprinkler system installation, and old buildings are all contributing factors.
Burst water pipes can lead to different damages with potential consequences. For instance, for hospitals, damages can be due to unsafe conditions, and the possible outcomes are accidents to staff and patients.
Solutions are readily available today, which can spot water leaks or excessive water flow. Some of them can even automatically disable the water or send a warning to designated personnel, allowing them to take the necessary action to resolve the issue.
Smart Water Leak Detectors
In the home or buildings searching for leaks, the good news is that today, there are smart leak detectors that can oversee the water flow. But as you’d expect with advanced, modern technology, there are notable differences between these smart water leak detectors. The following are some of the best today:
- The Flo. This smart water leak detector has a built-in shut-off valve, meaning it can disable the water supply right away if there is a leak. What’s more, it has a water pressure sensor to help you detect or determine even those tiny leaks. This smart device also has a temperature sensor that can send alerts to the homeowner if there’s a risk of freezing pipes.
- The Streamlabs. This smart water leak detector minimizes the difficulty of installing and setting up a leak detector. Thus, anyone, even those who are not handy, can install it. But it can only be installed to ¾ PEX pipe, CPVC, or one-inch copper.
- The Flume. This smart water leak detector does not need cutting any pipelines to set up the system. Unlike the Streamlabs, this leak detector can be installed to a water meter through an adjustable, simple, rubber strap.
- The Fluid. This leak detector clamps or attaches around the water supply line and leverages two ultrasonic transducers to gauge the water flow through the pipe.
Takeaway
Keep in mind that water leaks present a threat to homeowners. Thus, every home should have protection against these threats. A simple yet effective way to detect and identify leaks is to include flow meters.
Those who equip their houses or buildings with this technology can prevent any huge, considerable costs on their water bills. Also, it’s important to be aware of the installation of a particular flow meter to maximize its efficiency.