Had a similar run-in myself with those sensor faucets. Installed one at home thinking it'd be a nice upgrade, but the thing would randomly kick on at night—creepy as heck hearing water running at 2 am. Ended up dialing down sensitivity and adjusting lighting nearby, which helped, but still makes me wonder about reliability long-term. Curious if you've had any issues with automated toilets or showers? Been hesitant to go full-auto there... seems risky if sensors act up.
I've actually had pretty good luck with automated toilets so far. Installed one a few months back, and it's been smooth sailing—way less glitchy than the faucets. Maybe it's something about water flow versus flushing? Still not brave enough to try the automated shower though...
Interesting to hear your automated toilet's working well—I admit, I've been hesitant about those. My experience with automated faucets has been less than stellar (the endless hand-waving dance gets old fast), so I assumed toilets would be equally glitchy. Maybe you're onto something about the difference between flushing and continuous water flow.
Personally, I've stuck with dual-flush toilets for eco reasons—they're reliable and still save water without any tech headaches. But now you've got me curious...maybe automation tech has improved enough to reconsider? Still, an automated shower sounds like a step too far for me. Imagining the water cutting out mid-shampoo because of some sensor glitch makes me shudder. I'll stick to manual controls there, thanks!
"Imagining the water cutting out mid-shampoo because of some sensor glitch makes me shudder."
Haha, I totally get that—sensor glitches in showers would be a nightmare scenario. I've had my fair share of frustrations with automated faucets too, especially in public restrooms. But as someone who's managed multiple rental properties over the years, I've found automated toilets to be surprisingly reliable compared to faucets. The key difference seems to be that toilets have a simpler sensor mechanism—just detecting presence and absence—rather than trying to track continuous motion like faucets do.
Dual-flush toilets are definitely a solid choice for eco-consciousness and reliability. I've installed them in several units, and tenants generally appreciate the straightforwardness and water savings. However, automated toilets have improved significantly in recent years, especially higher-quality brands. They rarely misfire or flush unnecessarily these days, which used to be a common complaint. Plus, from a landlord's perspective, they can reduce maintenance calls related to broken handles or leaky flush valves—small things that add up over time.
Still, I'm with you on automated showers being a step too far. There's something reassuring about manual control when you're half-asleep and just want a consistent stream of hot water without wondering if the sensor is going to misinterpret your shampooing technique as absence...
One thing I'm curious about, though, is how well these automated fixtures hold up long-term. In my experience, even reliable tech tends to degrade over time, especially with heavy use by multiple tenants. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's had automated toilets or faucets installed for several years—have they stayed reliable, or do they start acting up after a while?
I've dealt with automated fixtures quite a bit, and here's my take from the repair side:
- Automated toilets generally hold up pretty well long-term. The sensors are simple IR presence detectors, so fewer moving parts = fewer breakdowns. Usually, issues come down to battery replacements or minor sensor recalibrations every few years.
- Faucets are another story. They rely on motion detection, which means more complex sensors and more frequent glitches. I've seen plenty of faucets start acting up after just a year or two, especially in high-traffic areas. Often it's just dirt or mineral buildup on the sensor lens, but sometimes the electronics themselves degrade.
- Automated showers? Honestly, I'd steer clear. Too many variables—steam, soap residue, varying user heights and movements—make them prone to false triggers or shut-offs. Manual controls are still king for reliability.
If you're looking for long-term reliability and minimal headaches, stick with manual showers, dual-flush toilets (manual or auto), and maybe automated faucets only if you're prepared for occasional maintenance. Just my two cents from years of emergency calls at 2 AM...
