Watts EDP0004640 IntelliFlow Automatic Washing Machine Shut Off Valve
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Product Details
Manufacturer: WattsModel: EDP0004640
Product features:
- Shuts off water flow when not in use
- Leak sensor protects against water damage during operation
- Electrical rating 115VAC, 60 Hz
- 6 foot electrical cord
- Valve body is reinforced polysulfone
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Watts EDP0004640 IntelliFlow Automatic Washing Machine Shut Off Valve
Customer Review: Update: Caution, caution, it breaks.
Summary: 4 Stars
I came across the Deal of Deals for a Bosch washer and dryer (see my reviews on that, a good story) and decided to convert my just-restored spare bedroom into a laundry room. I wanted to protect my new floors and remembered seeing this valve on an episode of This Old House.
Three people I know had their houses damaged by burst washing machine hoses. One of these incidents involved two floors and the damage was very expensive.
It is also possible for the machine to spring a leak internally and flood things.
You can prevent this in two ways. One is to simply turn off the faucets for the washing machines hoses when you are done washing. Like that will happen, right? You can buy a special valve that has one easy handle to shut off both hoses at once. Still, nobody ever thinks about it. Washers in rental or mother-in-law units are never, ever going to be shut off.
The only sure-fire way to prevent this problem is to install an electric valve like the Watts IntelliFlow. You plug this into the wall outlet and then plug the washing machine into the valve. When you turn on the washer, the valve senses the flow of electricity and opens up. It turns off when the current stops for two hours.
Every washer should be placed in a plastic catch pan, sold by every box store or appliance dealer, and Amazon. You can rig up a pipe or hose to drain the pan. It is also a good place to put the Watts sensor. It comes with the valve, plugs into it and the sensor end is placed in the pan. If water gets into the pan, the sensor shuts off the water. Good extra insurance for sure.
Installing the unit requires plumbing skills and you also need a nearby electrical outlet. Codes call for GFI outlets in laundries.
You can get the valve as a surface mount where it just attaches to the wall. In this case the pipes will show, of course, and that may be just fine. It also is available in a box. These fit into the wall and also have a 2" hole for a drain stand-pipe. In this case the pipes don't show and you will likely have to tear out part of the wall for access to the plumbing and drains.
Although the boxed-in promises a neat and clean installation, the reality is that you have hot and cold water hoses, wires and drain hoses coming out of it, so it ends up being cluttered anyway. I used the box version because I had to tear out the wall for the plumbing and wiring.
Unless your washing machine is outside or in the garage where a leak will not be a problem, you should have this valve. If you are depending on others to shut off valves, then you really need this. The more stories there are below you, the more the need increases. Those with leather carpets and ebony floors...you know who you are and what you need to do.
If you have a 240v washer you have to go a step further and buy another device, the Watts IntelliTimer. This is because the plug in the IntelliFlow is 120v only. See my review of that unit.
Whoops. Although I ordered the IntelliTimer at the same time as the IntelliFlow valve, Amazon doesn't list it on its own site. I'll review it here. The Timer plugs into the Valve. When you want to use the washer, you push a button on the IntelliTimer that energizes the valve and turns it on. After two hours of no current, the unit shuts off as does the valve.
You have to push a button to use the washer, but don't have to remember to turn it off, although you can. The little sensor on the valve still works the same and so it is all good. The washer plugs into the conventional wall outlet.
This is a clever device that allows you to use and protect any washer.
I did give four stars for the valve because it got quite expensive when the timer was added. It does all seem to be good quality. The flashing Timer light when the unit is plugged in, but not activated, is unnecessarily distracting.
Update: this thing failed for no apparent reason in little more than a year. This seems to be a pattern. In my case, it was like it got no power and the light wouldn't go on. The circuit board probably.
I took it apart, which is easy, and emailed Watts twice asking about repair parts. I never got a reply.
I spent a good deal of time and money on these Watts products and for altering the plumbing to mount it. And there is a big hole in the wall for the mounting box. There is nothing positive about any of this.
What makes it worse is that if the valve fails you have to redo the plumbing to hook up your washer hoses. That is, unless you do the following:
Remove the unit and take it apart. Take the solenoids apart. Remove the little plungers and their springs. Put the copper parts that were in the solenoids back into the box and screw the retaining plate over them and the valves. What you have done is to remove the means to push down on the little valve stoppers and thus to allow a free flow of water through the system and to your hoses. The plastic housing remains. I also removed the power cord just to neaten it up a bit. The solenoids, circuit board, etc. stay removed. All that remains in the box are the two copper plunger-looking things and the retaining plate.
You will need a torx bit for the screws.
Then, search for another product, or hope that Watts will respond to you and act responsibly. I still have a faint hope that my emails will turn up someplace and they will sell me some parts. I'll redo the review again if that happens.
More Watts EDP0004640 IntelliFlow Automatic Washing Machine Shut Off Valve Customer Reviews:
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1 2 3 4 5 6
Description of Watts EDP0004640 IntelliFlow Automatic Washing Machine Shut Off Valve
Uses a state-of-the-art electronic control device that senses the washing machine current flow. When the washing machine is turned on, the controls detect the current flow to the washer, opening both hot and cold water inlet valves to allow water to flow to the washing machine. When the washing machine completes the full cycle the device senses the lack of current and closes the water inlet valves.Safety & Security Tools
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