Thread: WAGS Valve?

Does anyone onboard have one of these on your personal water heater and have any comments about them?

I have (2) 75 gal. gas water heaters just sitting in the attic which I know one day will leak and cause problems. Only 2 yrs. old now, but we know that doesn't mean nothing.

Myself I see way too many of them leaking and am considering the installation of the WAGS valve to maybe have a bit more piece of mind.

Any idea on cost of them?

Below is a couple pictures I took a few weeks ago. If you notice in one picture, they have placed some foam type strips in front of the emergency drain pan openings. I assume this is to allow the water to back up somewhat in the pan for the WAGS valve to be able to be activated.

Any thoughts? Thanks as always.

Similar Threads:

• Air Admitance Valve in Manufactured Home
• Don't open that valve!
• Gas shut off valve location
• JAY R. SMITH BACKWATER VALVE
• Water heater valve

What is WAGS? What is its purpose?

WAGS = Water And Gas Shutoff. In the event of a waterheater leak, the device, appropriately enough, shuts off the water and gas, to help prevent extensive damage. I've never installed one myself but my supplyhouse stocks them. Doesn't sound like a bad idea.

ABC Electrical Services - Water And Gas Safety Shut-Off Valve

Thanks for the ABC link. This product looks like it might be better than the others intended for the same purpose. That is, it appears less complicated, more localized, and not dependent upon any other utility.

Some others are:

http://www.watercop.com
http://www.thewateralarm.com

This might be just the ticket for older installations on slab foundations that don't have a drain line for the pan.

I've been surprised by the numbers of plumbers I've talked to who aren't familiar with any of the systems. If you've ever seen the results of one seriously leaking in an attic, you'll quickly become a believer.

Some advantages of other systems are that the sensors can be placed anywhere and if water is detected, the entire supply is shut down. It would have been really handy the day I lost my balance and broke off the shut off valve at the toilet.

Electronic WH and Whole-House shut-offs:

Automatic Water Heater Shut Off Valve
DynaQuip Controls - WaterCop Automatic Water Shut-off Systems

I have installed a WAGS valve on my home water heater.

The insurance company I work for also gives homeowners a credit if they install some sort of emergency water shutoff device. The one drawback is that they are single use valves, but since you will have to replace the HWH most likely, you will be able to replace the valve at the same time.
Installation instructions: http://www.taco-hvac.com/uploads/Fil...4ec8ff3ea84394

They cost about $125 to $150.
Another good item is floLogic, this is a programmable motorized valve that shuts off the water main, but is a little tricky to use especially if you have water softeners or other appliances that use water when you aren't at home. FloLogic: Protect your home from water damage with the FloLogic automatic water shutoff system