You’re ready to leave the lake, but is your house ready to be without you?
Winter looms ahead, and many homeowners are looking to escape the harsh weather. They’re ready to shed their heavy coats, ditch the warm mugs for cool glasses, and leave behind the frigid air for sunny beaches, resorts, visits with family, or other homes. They’re ready, but are their houses?
Winterization is a difficult process.Homeowners must:
service HVAC systems to maintain temperatures
seal leaks in chimneys, roofs, and gutters
clean and seal potential pest entry points
avoid being targeted by thieves and vandals
tend to their plumbing systems
and so much more…
The laundry list of tasks to tackle when preparing your home for an elongated absence can put a damper on your travel plans. No matter the nature of your plans for the coming months, there is a hefty to-do list between you and your destination. Keep reading to find out how we can help with one of the largest tasks.
The Danger of Plumbing Emergencies During Winter
The costs for post-winter plumbing damages in Montana can range depending on the complexity of the repair, materials needed, and accessibility to the plumbing system, but issues such as frozen pipes and water service line repairs can skyrocket your diagnostic, repair, and replacement costs well into the thousands.
Burst pipes present the number one hazard in Montana, especially after winter where the occurrence increases 369 percent in the holiday season. The average cost of a burst pipe claim in Montana was $10,849 according to data from the Insurance Information Institute in a study done in 2018 (the most current study as of 2024), and water cleanup costs can venture without hesitation as high as $70,000. Worse yet, these numbers speak nothing of the emotional cost of dealing with a disaster or losing irreplaceable belongings, photos, heirlooms, and memories.
The Smart Solution to Protect Your Plumbing
Fortunately, there is a smart technology to mitigate these plumbing emergencies by minimizing damage or preventing them entirely. The Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff by Moen is a valve with built-in machine learning sensors designed to monitor water usage and detect even small drip leaks.
The device is installed on your home’s main water supply line and then connected to WiFi, with which it can provide real-time water flow, pressure, and temperature readings and alert you if an emergency shutoff was activated. If a leak or other abnormality is detected, it automatically turns off the water to save your home from damage and you from heartache and stress. Worried about a leaky pipe or appliance? Additional Smart Leak Detectors can also be placed anywhere you’re worried about excess moisture.
Even beyond winter, homes face age- and time-related plumbing issues, including but not limited to: outdated materials, corroded pipes, intruding tree roots, and unsecured pipes, traps, and heaters. This monitor can reduce 90 percent or more of annual household water waste, and 60 percent of homes are alerted to a leak within the first month of installation. Whether it’s for a day, a week, or the whole winter, Flo is a fantastic investment for your home. Between prevented disasters and lessened water waste, the monitor pays for itself.
Talk to Mildren About the Flo Smart Water Monitor
The cost of the sensors is as follows:
1” Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor and Emergency Shutoff (with WiFi Connection Capability) $546.00
¾” Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor and Emergency Shutoff (with WiFi Connection Capability) $507.00
Individual Fixture Water Detectors (with WiFi Connection Capability) $50/each sold separately
Installation price depends on location and access to your main shut off valve in the house and can range from $700 to $1000 for labor and materials plus the cost of the valve and any individual detectors. For a small investment, you can prevent the exponentially higher expense of a plumbing disaster.
With over thirty years of experience, our team at Mildren Plumbing has this technology ready to install for you. We are committed to providing professional, quality work and excellent customer service in Bigfork and the surrounding areas of the Flathead Valley in Montana. So why don’t you let Mildren Plumbing and the Flo Smart Water Monitor check plumbing safety off your to-do list? Complete our form, or call us today, and our staff will contact you to schedule a consultation for your specific needs.
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