Honestly, I get the appeal of manual shutoffs—less tech to fail, right? But after seeing a smart valve save my buddy’s basement when his dishwasher hose popped while he was on vacation, I’m kinda sold. Yeah, the apps can be glitchy and setup’s a headache, but if you’re not around much, that auto shutoff can be a lifesaver. Manual valves are great until they seize up or snap (been there, got the soggy socks). Guess it’s just picking your poison... but I’d rather wrestle with WiFi than mop up another flood.
I get where you’re coming from—tech can be a real headache when it decides to act up. But honestly, I’ve seen a lot of those smart shutoff valves fail too, especially when folks forget to update the firmware or the batteries die. Manual valves might seize if they’re neglected, but if you give them a quick turn every few months, they usually hold up for years. Sometimes the simplest fix is just keeping an eye on the basics... not everything needs an app, in my experience.
Honestly, I’ve had more issues with those “smart” valves than the old-school ones, too. Once had one that locked up after a power outage—couldn’t get water to the dishwasher for hours. Manual valves might get a little stiff if you forget them, but at least you don’t need to hunt down an app or remember a password. A quick twist every now and then keeps things moving. Sometimes, low-tech just wins out... unless you like troubleshooting WiFi at midnight.
Manual valves are just less hassle in my experience. I’ve seen too many “smart” ones fail because of a dead battery or a glitchy sensor. Curious—have you tried just working that valve back and forth every few months? Keeps ‘em from seizing up.
Manual valves are just less hassle in my experience. I’ve seen too many “smart” ones fail because of a dead battery or a glitchy sensor.
I have to agree—manual valves seem way more reliable, at least for the basic stuff around the house. I bought this place last year and already had to replace two “smart” shut-offs because one wouldn’t connect to the app and the other just... stopped working. Not exactly what I’d call smart.
The suggestion about moving the valve every few months is solid. I didn’t even think about it until a plumber mentioned it during my inspection. He said if you just leave them alone, they seize up, and then when you actually need to shut off the water in a hurry, you’re stuck. Now I put a reminder in my phone to twist them back and forth every so often. It’s not hard, just a little annoying to remember.
Honestly, I get the appeal of gadgets, but for something as important as a water shut-off, I’d rather stick with what’s simple and proven. Maybe I’ll change my mind if the tech gets better, but for now, manual all the way.
