Published by Adjusterman LLC, a licensed Florida public adjusting firm. We don’t sell or earn commissions on anything listed here.
Updated September 23, 2026
Key takeaways
- A leak sensor only tells you there is water. An automatic shutoff valve also closes the main line. Know which one you are buying.
- Florida outages matter: Phyn says its Plus valve stays in whatever state it was in when power is lost, while YoLink’s FlowSmart valve runs on batteries.
- Put sensors where Florida leaks start: the AC air handler pan, the water heater, under sinks, behind the fridge and at the washer.
- A sensor does not change what your policy covers, but it helps you meet the policy duty to protect the property from further damage.
Plenty of water damage in Florida homes has nothing to do with hurricanes. It starts with a supply line under a sink, a water heater in the garage, a washing machine hose, or an air handler whose condensate pan overflows in a closet or attic. In a condo, a leak in one unit can travel into the unit below before anyone notices.
The standard Homeowners 3 form that most Florida homeowners policies are built on covers “accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam from within a plumbing, heating, air conditioning or automatic fire protective sprinkler system or from within a household appliance.” The same form excludes wear and tear, deterioration, rust and corrosion, and it requires you to “protect the property from further damage” after a loss. A detector that catches a leak in the first hour is the simplest way to keep a covered event small, and to show you acted quickly. See our water damage claims page for how these claims are handled.
Below are seven products we checked on each maker’s own website on 23 September 2026, grouped into three types. Prices change often, so treat any figure here as a starting point and check the current price on the maker’s site.
| Product | Type | Closes the water? | Install |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moen Flo Smart Water Shutoff | Shutoff valve + monitor | Yes, automatically | In-line on main; pro install recommended |
| Phyn Plus (2nd Gen) | Shutoff valve + monitor | Yes, automatically | In-line on main; plumber recommended |
| YoLink FlowSmart All-in-One | Meter + motorized valve | Yes, automatically | In-line; battery powered; hub required |
| Aqara Valve Controller T1 + Water Leak Sensor | Valve actuator + spot sensor | Yes, turns an existing valve | No plumbing; Aqara hub required |
| Flume 2 | Whole-home monitor | No | Straps to the water meter |
| GoveeLife Water Leak Detector 1s | Spot sensors + gateway | No | Place on floor; 2.4 GHz gateway |
| Phyn Smart Water Sensor | Spot sensor | No | Place on floor; Wi-Fi, no hub |
How we put this list together
We only included products that are currently listed for sale on the manufacturer’s own US website, and we recorded only specs the maker publishes. We sorted them into three categories because they solve different problems:
- Spot sensors sit on the floor where water collects and alert you (by siren, app or both) when their probes get wet. They do not stop the water.
- Whole-home monitors watch flow at the meter or main line and flag unusual use, which can catch a hidden leak inside a wall or under a slab. Some of them cannot close the water.
- Automatic shutoff valves sit on the main line (or turn an existing valve) and close it when a leak is detected. These usually need a plumber and a power source or batteries.
For each, we looked at what happens without power or Wi-Fi (common after a Florida storm), whether a hub is required, installation effort, and whether the product has a local audible alarm. We did not test products in a lab, accept samples, or use affiliate links.
The list
1. Moen Flo Smart Water Shutoff
Best for: Whole-home protection with a daily leak test
- Type
- In-line automatic shutoff valve and flow monitor
- Leak test
- MicroLeak test runs daily (per Moen)
- Power
- Needs a nearby AC outlet; a battery backup unit is sold separately
- Install
- On the main line after the meter, shutoff and pressure regulating valve
Moen’s Flo Shutoff installs on your main water line and watches flow, pressure and temperature. Moen says its MicroLeak technology “runs daily leak tests to proactively identify small leaks,” and the valve can shut the water off automatically or from the app. Moen also sells Flo Detector floor sensors that pair with the valve.
Moen states the device is “best installed by a professional,” and that installation requires removing a section of the main pipe after the meter, shutoff and pressure regulating valve. It needs an AC outlet, and Moen offers an extension cable if the outlet is more than 10 feet away. An optional FloProtect subscription adds deductible reimbursement and an extended warranty on Moen’s terms; read those terms before you count on them.
Consider if you own a single-family home, want the valve to close on its own, and are comfortable paying a plumber for installation.
shop.moen.com2. Phyn Plus Smart Water Assistant + Shutoff (2nd Gen)
Best for: Pressure-based detection of small hidden leaks
- Type
- In-line automatic shutoff valve and monitor
- Pipe size
- Recommended on pipes up to 1¼ inch (1 inch NPSM ends)
- Power
- Outlet within 12 feet (GFCI recommended) plus Wi-Fi
- Price
- $579.99 on Phyn’s page when checked; check current price
Phyn Plus uses what Phyn calls high-definition pressure wave analysis, with an ultrasonic flow sensor that has no moving parts. After a learning period it can close the water automatically during abnormally high flow, and you can close it remotely from the app. Phyn also sends freeze alerts, which matter less in South Florida but can help in the Panhandle.
One detail every Florida owner should know: Phyn says Phyn Plus “will remain in the state it was in when the power is lost” and will not turn off your water unless it was already closed; a manual shutoff tool comes on the mounting bracket. If you evacuate for a storm, close the water before you leave. Phyn recommends a licensed plumber, estimates one to two hours for installation, and says it works best in single-family homes and townhomes that are plumbed individually.
Consider if you want sensitive leak detection on the main line and have reliable power and Wi-Fi at the spot where water enters the house.
phyn.com3. YoLink FlowSmart All-in-One with Water Leak Sensor 4
Best for: Shutoff that keeps working through a power outage
- Type
- Ultrasonic water meter and motorized ball valve in one unit
- Power
- Battery powered; YoLink lists 10+ years of battery life
- Sizes
- Offered for pipes from ½ inch to 2 inches
- Hub
- YoLink hub required
YoLink’s FlowSmart combines a meter and a motorized valve and runs on batteries, so it does not depend on an outlet near your main. It installs in-line (YoLink calls it DIY-friendly, but it is still plumbing work). Pair it with YoLink’s Water Leak Sensor 4, a puck sensor with a 105 dB sounder, an IP66 rating and, per YoLink, range of “up to 1/4 mile, open air.”
YoLink says its Control-D2D pairing lets a sensor trigger a valve “without an internet connection.” That is useful when the internet is down after a storm. YoLink also sells bolt-on valve operators that turn an existing valve, but its own product page warns that if your insurer requires a shutoff valve, those operators “may not be accepted” and suggests a motorized ball valve instead.
Consider if outages are your main worry and you want sensors and valve to talk directly without relying on Wi-Fi.
shop.yosmart.com4. Aqara Water Leak Sensor with Valve Controller T1
Best for: Automatic shutoff without cutting a pipe
- Sensor
- Zigbee, CR2032 battery (up to 2 years), built-in buzzer
- Valve controller
- Fits ½, ¾ and 1 inch valves with lever or butterfly handles; 4 AA batteries
- Hub
- Aqara hub required
- Price
- Sensor $18.99 and T1 $69.99 when checked; check current price
Aqara’s Water Leak Sensor is a small Zigbee puck with a built-in buzzer and phone alerts through the Aqara Home app. Paired with the Valve Controller T1, which clamps onto an existing quarter-turn valve, a wet sensor can close the water without any plumbing changes. Aqara says the T1 supports Matter over its bridge and works with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings and Home Assistant.
Because it turns a valve you already have, test that valve first. An old valve that is stiff or seized will not close reliably, and like YoLink’s bolt-on operator, a clamp-on actuator may not satisfy an insurer that asks for an in-line shutoff device.
Consider if you rent, live in a condo where you cannot alter the main line, or want a low-cost automatic shutoff.
us.aqara.com5. Flume 2 Smart Home Water Monitor
Best for: Finding hidden leaks without plumbing work
- Type
- Whole-home monitor; does not shut off water
- Install
- Straps to the water meter; Flume Bridge connects to Wi-Fi
- Compatibility
- Flume says it works with about 95% of homes; check with its online tool
- Subscription
- Optional Flume Insight plan
Flume 2 reads your water meter from the outside, so there is no pipe cutting. The sensor sends data to a Flume Bridge inside the house, which Flume says can be up to 1,000 feet away. It learns your normal use and alerts you by app, text or email when something looks wrong, such as water running at 3 a.m.
That makes Flume good at catching slow leaks that no floor sensor will see, like a running toilet or a pipe leaking under a slab. It cannot close the water, so pair it with spot sensors or a shutoff valve if you want an automatic response.
Consider if you want to know about slow, hidden leaks and you have a standard residential meter you can reach.
flumewater.com6. GoveeLife Water Leak Detector 1s
Best for: Covering many spots on a budget
- Type
- Spot sensors with a Wi-Fi gateway (H5044)
- Alarm
- Up to 105 dB, adjustable in the app
- Battery
- Up to 5 years; IP67 rating
- Scale
- Up to 64 sensors per gateway; gateway is 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
Govee sells kits of one gateway plus three, five or eight sensors, which makes it practical to put a sensor at every water source in the house. Govee lists a range of 550 meters (1,804 feet) between sensor and gateway using its Sub-1G radio, an adjustable siren up to 105 dB, and alerts by app and email.
The gateway only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, so check your router settings before setup. These are alert-only sensors: they will tell you about a leak, but someone still has to close the valve.
Consider if you want to cover every sink, toilet and appliance at low cost and someone is usually close enough to respond.
us.govee.com7. Phyn Smart Water Sensor
Best for: A simple Wi-Fi sensor with no hub
- Type
- Spot sensor; alerts only
- Connection
- Wi-Fi, no hub, no subscription
- Power
- Two AA batteries, up to 2 years per Phyn
- Price
- $49.99 for one when checked; check current price
Phyn’s sensor connects straight to Wi-Fi. When water touches the metal probes on its base, Phyn says it sends a phone notification, flashes and sounds an alarm. It also tracks humidity and temperature, which is handy in a closed-up Florida home where the AC has failed.
It is an alert-only device: it cannot stop water. Phyn sells it as a single sensor or in 3-packs and 5-packs, and says no subscription is required.
Consider if you want a few sensors with no hub and no subscription, and you are usually close enough to respond.
phyn.com
Where to put leak sensors in a Florida home
- Under or beside the AC air handler, in the closet, garage or attic. A clogged condensate line can overflow the pan and soak the ceiling or wall below.
- At the base of the water heater, especially if it sits in a garage or interior closet.
- Under the kitchen sink, each bathroom sink, and behind each toilet at the supply line.
- Behind the refrigerator if it has an ice maker or water dispenser, and under the dishwasher edge.
- On the floor beside the washing machine, where hoses can split.
- In a condo, near the water heater and air handler, since a leak there can reach the unit below.
What to do when a detector goes off
- Shut off the water at the main (or confirm your valve did) and turn off power to wet areas if it is safe to do so.
- Photograph and video the source and the damage before cleanup. Our guide to documenting damage before you clean up walks through it.
- Save the app’s alert history. A timestamped alert is useful evidence of when the leak started and how quickly you acted.
- Make reasonable repairs to stop further damage and keep every receipt. The HO 3 form requires both.
- Report the claim promptly. Under Fla. Stat. s. 627.70132, notice of a new or reopened property claim must be given within 1 year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months. See Florida claim deadlines.
A note on insurance
Some makers advertise insurance discounts for their devices. Ask your own carrier what, if anything, it offers and whether it requires a specific type of valve. A detector also does not change what your policy covers: the HO 3 form excludes the system or appliance the water escaped from, and it excludes wear, deterioration and corrosion, so the cause of the leak still matters. If you have covered damage and the carrier’s estimate looks short, Adjusterman LLC, a licensed Florida public adjusting firm, reviews water and broken pipe claims. You can also compare firms in our list of water damage public adjusters in Florida.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a water leak sensor and an automatic shutoff valve?
A leak sensor detects water where it sits and alerts you by siren, app or both. An automatic shutoff valve is installed on or clamped to your main line and closes it when a leak is detected, so the water stops even if nobody is home.
Do smart shutoff valves work during a hurricane power outage?
It depends on the product. Phyn says Phyn Plus stays in the state it was in when power is lost, so close the water before you evacuate. YoLink’s FlowSmart runs on batteries, and YoLink says its sensors can trigger its valves without internet. Moen sells a separate battery backup for Flo.
Can I install a leak shutoff valve myself?
Clamp-on actuators like the Aqara Valve Controller T1 need no plumbing. In-line valves such as Moen Flo and Phyn Plus require cutting into the main line, and both makers recommend a professional or licensed plumber.
Will a leak detector lower my Florida homeowners insurance?
Some manufacturers advertise insurer discounts, but that is up to your carrier. Ask your insurer directly whether it offers a credit and which devices qualify.
How long do I have to report a water leak claim in Florida?
Fla. Stat. s. 627.70132 bars a new or reopened property claim unless notice is given within 1 year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months. Report sooner if you can, and protect the property from further damage in the meantime.
Related guides
Sources
- Moen: Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff
- Moen: Flo Protection Service Bundle (installation requirements)
- Phyn: Phyn Plus Smart Water Assistant + Shutoff (2nd Gen)
- Phyn: home page (products and advertised insurance discounts)
- Phyn: Smart Water Sensor
- YoLink: FlowSmart All-in-One Smart Water Meter and Auto Shutoff
- YoLink: Water Leak Sensor 4 (YS7906)
- YoLink: Valve Controller 2 and EVO Valve Operator bundle (insurer note)
- Aqara: Water Leak Sensor
- Aqara: Valve Controller T1
- Flume: Flume 2 Smart Home Water Monitor
- Govee: GoveeLife Water Leak Detector 1s
- Homeowners 3 Special Form, ISO HO 00 03 10 00 (sample published by the Insurance Information Institute)
- Fla. Stat. s. 627.70132, Notice of property insurance claim (2026)
Adjusterman LLC, FL DFS Public Adjusting Firm License #W913130 · Michael Klavan, FL DFS Public Adjuster License #P151443. Public adjusters do not provide legal advice.