FloodStop Dishwasher/Toilet Leak Detector Kit, 3/8" Compression

Installation was fairly easy. My only caution is that the connector between the controller and valve is not totally foolproof when working under a sink. Although it is polarized, it is not rigid so it is possible to connect it backwards so open and close are reversed. I made this mistake.

First let me say there are not many products like this to choose from. I wish the covers were a bit more substantial as this unit went under my sink and we use that area for storage. If something hits the cover it will pop right off. I had no real issues installing save one. No where in the directions did it mention that it screws directly into the water shut-off valve. One side had the compression fitting on it, and I was sure the other side was missing a fitting. I looked for the longest time and then resolved to head to the hardware store to get a fitting. As I measured the size I realized it could not accept a fitting and then I was sure it was made incorrectly. After a long time trying to figure out what to do it dawned on me that it might thread onto the shut-off valve. Sure enough that was the case, would have been nice for that to be pointed out. I did test the unit and it works as promised.

We love Flood Stop. They keep my home safe from floods..in case my water heater leak. Also have it on my dishwasher as well as my toilet. They shut off the water heater, makes noice and my husband had it hooked up to our security system and we are notified if there is a problem. He also placed a shut off valve that will shut the water throughout the house to protect all our belonging. The service from the manufacture is wonderful. They will answer all your questions. But beware there are only three authorized places to order there product through Amazon. They are DIY,ETAILZ, and Scharf.

I have several of these devices on several water using appliances. The device that simply screws inline with your clothes washer supply hoses are fine. The shortcomings are in the 1/4" and 3/8" devices that can be used for ice makers and dish washers. These devices are touted as having compression type fitting ends. They do have the thread for compression type couplings, but a true copper tubing and compression fitting will not work correctly with the valve. The threaded end is not beveled nor machined correctly to reliably use a compression fitting. My intention was to use the copper tubing that my dishwasher had on it, and cut it where the FS 3/8-C was to go. So now I had to use a braided flexible connector pipe commonly used on sink faucets. The rubber gasket on this type of hose will mate up with the FS 3/8-C. I could not use the superior copper tubing all the way to the dishwasher. The irony of the situation is that the FS 3/8-C will now have to protect my home from the failure-prone flexible pipe that I had to use to install the FS 3/8-C!

Out of places for your house to get a flood, there are three primary sources: The most frequent is the washing machine; the next most frequent is the dishwasher (several builders have told me this); and last, but what I expected to be the most, is the hot water tank. If your house is equipped with all three, you should get units for all three locations. I gave up on hot water tanks and went with a tankless hot water heater which should last maybe three decades or more. But I still have a washing machine and a dishwasher, and both of them are now protected by FloodStop devices. The design is quite simple, you put a sensor on the floor under the dishwasher and put the solenoid in line with the water supply. Any leak will cause the solenoid to shut off the water supply, so the worst that can happen is the dishwasher pumps out the water it already has inside it. Much better than flooding the entire house, and you find a problem as soon as it happens thanks to the quite noisy alarm. A benefit of this particular model is a battery backup, so even if power is lost, not only does the valve close upon sensing a leak, the alarm will still be in operation. Good design. September 2014 update: Last week we had a surprise leak under our dishwasher. The Floodstop did its job and shut off the water before it leaked further, and thanks to the warning beeper we knew a leak had occurred. Had to get a flashlight to see the small area where the leak occurred, back under the middle of the dishwasher where I wouldn't have noticed a leak until the floor was soaked and ruined. Fixed the problem (I thought), then this week had a leak again. REALLY fixed the problem this time, and said a few words of thanks to Floodstop and a few words of condemnation to the dishwasher manufacturer for their incredibly poor design. I really like the Floodstop products. Thumbs UP!!!

Onsite Pro FS3/8C Floodstop Compression Auto-Shutoff for a Bosch dishwasher. It is not solid brass. The actual ball in the valve ball is but not the housing, fittings. The quality is abysmal, the treads will NOT tread onto a brass 3/8 coupler to insert the valve in the supply / hose to the dishwasher so cannot use. Pulled the whole dishwasher out to get the sensor in because did not want to disconnect the water supply that was not leaking if did not have to. Got the sensor in and dishwasher reinstalled, took about an hour, then tried to insert the valve in the supply line. No way would it thread on the fittings and they ARE the correct fittings. It appears poorly forged and the treads so shallow and rough, not even sure if machined after the housing was forged. A really POOR job of machining the treads if they were machined. Had purchased and returned a Washing Machine Valve Shutoff Kit FS3/4H v4 for $184, at least the two valves in that set were brass , but one of the two valves poorly forged and machined so would never seal. Returned it, but have not tried to install the replacement so now will open and try -- but do not have high hopes. So $140 and $184 US currency in not insignificant, the valve assembly alone is maybe worth about $20 based on the poor manufacturing that went into it. Onsite Pro needs to have someone in China overseeing quality control.

I've been using Floodstop products for years. I have them on my dishwasher, washing machine, fridge's ice maker, one toilet (since that toilet has a bidet I figured it would be good to have a Floodstop), and my water heaters which are attic located (it is insane to have them in your attic but that's often how it is done in TX). After twelve years of protecting my water heaters I came home one night to the sound the Floodstop's water alarm and I noted that I had no hot water. Went into the attic to find my water heater had SPLIT OPEN and was ready to unleash the full supply of city water throughout my home. The Floodstop's water sensor in the water heater's pan sensed the leaking water and shut off the water supply. Disaster averted, no insurance claim needed. Thank you Floodstop. I do suggest that you test your Floodstop at least twice a year to ensure it is working and you're protected. Easy to do, just drip a few drops of water on the sensor triggering the valve to close and then go to a faucet to ensure the valve did indeed close (don't just trust the sound of the valve closing, ensure it did close via a faucet). Then dry the sensor and press the button on the controller to open the valve. Done, tested, and you're protected.

After having 2 kitchen floods and major damage to wood floors and the rooms below the kitchen it was time to do something differently. On Superbowl Sunday our 11 year old fridge broke and did some major flooding. Thought we would be proactive and replace all the appliances. Well a 4month old top of the line dishwasher had a manufacturer defect and flooded the kitchen again. I decided to get this valve to hopefully never use it. It was very easy to install and when I tested it will 1 drop of water the valve closed and the alarm sounded. The only thing that I wish it had was that the valve would be spring loaded a default to closed in case of loss of power or leak detected. This is one of those things you hope to never need to use.

Quality