WAGS Valve? - InspectionNews

Rick Hurst · #1 (**permalink**) 04-27-2007, 09:36 PM

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.

Richard Stanley · #2 (**permalink**) 04-28-2007, 10:41 AM

What is WAGS? What is its purpose?

Joshua Hardesty · #3 (**permalink**) 04-28-2007, 11:12 AM

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.

Jerry Peck · #4 (**permalink**) 04-28-2007, 12:00 PM

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

Thom Walker · #5 (**permalink**) 04-28-2007, 01:01 PM

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

Jim Luttrall · #6 (**permalink**) 04-28-2007, 01:20 PM

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

Thom Walker · #7 (**permalink**) 04-28-2007, 01:33 PM

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.

Michael Thomas · #8 (**permalink**) 04-28-2007, 05:10 PM

Electronic WH and Whole-House shut-offs:

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