Finally got my bathroom reno approved - permit process wasn’t as scary as I thought

“I’d rather have a plain old valve I can trust, even if it’s not ‘smart.’”

Same here. I had a friend whose “smart” shutoff failed during a power outage - water everywhere, and the app just spun. I’ll take a sturdy manual valve any day. Sometimes simple really is safer.

I get where you’re coming from. I’ve looked at those “smart” valves too, but honestly, I just can’t justify the price or the risk. Like you said, if the power goes out or the WiFi drops, then what? I had a neighbor who installed one thinking it’d be foolproof, but when their internet went down during a storm, the valve didn’t close and they ended up with a soaked basement. Not fun.

I’m all for tech when it makes sense, but sometimes it just adds more points of failure. A good old-fashioned manual shutoff is cheap, reliable, and you know exactly how it works. Plus, if something does go wrong, you don’t need to troubleshoot an app or call support - you just turn the thing.

“Sometimes simple really is safer.”

Couldn’t agree more. I’d rather spend my budget on solid fixtures and tile than gamble on a gadget that might bail on me when I need it most.

Manual shutoffs are still the gold standard in my book. I’ve seen too many “smart” valves fail when it matters most - usually during a power outage or network hiccup, just like you mentioned. If you want peace of mind, here’s what I usually recommend: stick with a solid brass ball valve, make sure everyone in the house knows where it is and how to use it, and test it every few months. No batteries, no apps, just reliable hardware. Spend the extra money on quality plumbing or waterproofing instead - those upgrades pay off way more in the long run.

Honestly, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been called out because someone’s “smart” shutoff didn’t do its job during a storm. Manual valves just don’t quit. If you’re ever in doubt, give that handle a twist every now and then - just don’t force it if it’s stuck. A little WD-40 goes a long way, trust me.

Yeah, I hear you on the “smart” shutoffs. I’ve seen a few of those freeze up or just plain not work when you need them most. Manual valves might be old school, but at least you know where you stand. Gave mine a test last week - bit stiff, but nothing a little WD-40 couldn’t fix. Funny how the simplest stuff ends up being the most reliable.