In San Francisco’s older homes, multi-unit buildings, and high-rise buildings, water damage is one of the most expensive and disruptive risks you can face. A small hidden leak can soak hardwood floors, damage plaster, stain ceilings, and impact neighboring units before anyone knows there’s a problem. Smart plumbing systems and automatic leak detection devices give you a way to monitor your home’s water usage in real time, shut off the water when something goes wrong, and prevent small issues from becoming major claims.

Heidi’s House Construction specializes in smart plumbing solutions and leak detection installations, including automatic shutoff valves, whole-home monitoring, and targeted leak sensors. We integrate these systems into real San Francisco plumbing systems — older galvanized lines, copper, PEX, and mixed DWV systems—so you get real protection, not just another gadget on your phone.

Why Smart Plumbing Matters in San Francisco Homes

San Francisco’s housing stock creates a perfect storm for water damage if leaks go undetected:

• Older piping systems: Many homes still rely on aging galvanized or mixed copper/PEX lines that are more prone to pinhole leaks and failures.
• Stacked multi-unit buildings: One leak can affect multiple units, hallways, garages, and shared spaces—especially in TICs and condos.
• Expensive finishes & contents: Replacing damaged hardwood, tile, or plaster, and dealing with mold remediation, adds up quickly.
• Travel and busy schedules: When you’re away for work or vacation, a leak can run for hours or days before anyone sees it.

Smart leak detection and automatic shutoff systems provide a layer of protection that operates 24/7, whether you’re at home or away.

What Smart Plumbing & Leak Detection Can Do

We design and install smart plumbing systems that can:

• Monitor your home’s water usage in real time and spot patterns that indicate leaks, stuck toilets, or broken supply lines.
• Automatically shut off your main water line when a leak or abnormal flow is detected—before major damage occurs.
• Alert you on your phone if something goes wrong, with the ability to shut off water remotely.
• Monitor individual areas like under-sink cabinets, behind washing machines, under dishwashers, and near water heaters.
• Integrate with smart home systems for coordinated alerts, automations, and insurance documentation.

Our role is to choose the right device for your plumbing layout, install it to manufacturer and code standards, and make sure it works as promised.

Smart Plumbing & Leak Detection Systems We Install

We work with multiple manufacturers and devices, and we’ll recommend the right system based on your water service size, plumbing material, and monitoring needs. Common options include:

• Whole-home smart shutoff valves installed on the main water line.
• Inline flow-monitoring systems that measure usage and detect anomalies.
• Wireless leak sensors are placed near high-risk locations: under sinks, behind toilets, beneath washing machines, below water heaters, and near radiant manifolds.
• Integrated apps and dashboards that let you view usage, trends, and alerts from your phone.

Because we are plumbers and builders—not just device installers—we also handle any necessary piping modifications, shutoff reconfiguration, electrical connections, and access improvements to support the system in the long term.

Our Smart Plumbing Installation Process

1. Site Visit & Plumbing Assessment

We start by inspecting your main water service, meter location, PRV (pressure reducing valve), shutoff valves, and distribution piping. We identify:

• Pipe size (¾″, 1″, 1¼″, etc.) and material (copper, galvanized, PEX)
• Best location for a smart shutoff valve (garage, crawlspace, mechanical area)
• Any access challenges that might require additional work (tight closets, buried piping, or obstructed meter areas)

2. System Selection & Planning

We recommend a system based on:

• Your home’s plumbing layout and main size
• Whether you have multiple units or ADUs tied into one meter
• Your interest in whole-home vs. localized monitoring
• Existing smart home ecosystem (if you have one)

We explain the pros and cons, what installation will look like, and what you can expect in terms of alerts, app usage, and ongoing maintenance.

3. Installation & Integration

On installation day, we:

• Shut off water and drain the relevant portion of the system
• Cut into the existing main line and install the new smart shutoff valve with proper unions, transitions, and supports
• Provide power or low-voltage connections if required
• Mount and pair any wireless leak sensors in key locations
• Set up the app and walk you through initial configuration

We take care to minimize downtime and coordinate with occupants if water must be off for a period of time.

4. Calibration, Testing & Training

Once installed, we test the system by simulating leaks, confirm remote shutoff functions, and ensure that notifications are working reliably. We also:

• Help you name zones and sensors in the app
• Review basic troubleshooting steps
• Discuss recommended settings for flow thresholds and vacation modes

5. Ongoing Support & Upgrades

We’re available if you need help adjusting settings, moving sensors, or upgrading piping or valves in the future. As part of broader plumbing or remodeling projects, we can integrate smart plumbing into bathrooms, kitchens, ADUs, and mechanical rooms.

Common Use Cases for Smart Plumbing & Leak Detection

• Primary residence protection: Prevent damage in main living areas, especially in older homes with complex plumbing runs.
• Second homes & pied-à-terres: Monitor a property even when it’s unoccupied for weeks or months at a time.
• ADUs & rentals: Protect units without relying on tenants to notice or report issues immediately.
• Multi-unit buildings: Reduce risk of water damage spreading between stacked units.
• Homes with past leak history: Provide an extra layer of protection after previous water incidents.

Smart Plumbing + Traditional Plumbing Upgrades

Smart leak detection is powerful, but it’s not a substitute for sound plumbing. We often pair smart plumbing work with:

• Whole-house or partial repiping (replacing old galvanized or mixed piping with copper and/or PEX)
• New or relocated main shutoff valves and PRVs
• Water heater replacements (tank or heat pump)
• New laundry, bathroom, or kitchen plumbing as part of remodels

Combining these scopes can reduce total cost and downtime compared to tackling them separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Will a smart shutoff valve work with my existing plumbing?

A1: In most cases, yes. We can adapt from copper, galvanized, or PEX piping and configure the valve to fit within your existing main line layout. If space is tight, we can re-route piping to create a proper installation location.

Q2: What happens if the power or internet goes out?

A2: Most smart shutoff valves default to staying in their last known state if power or internet goes out. Some systems can still be operated manually at the valve itself. We’ll explain how your specific system behaves and what manual options you have.

Q3: Can I shut off my water from my phone?

A3: Yes. Today's systems allow app-based remote shut-off, so you can turn the water off if you receive an alert while you’re away.

Q4: Where do you place leak sensors?

A4: Common locations include under kitchen sinks, behind dishwashers, under bathroom vanities, near toilets, under washing machines, near water heaters and boilers, and at radiant manifolds. We’ll help you prioritize the highest-risk areas.

Q5: Can smart plumbing help with insurance?

A5: Many insurers are increasingly interested in leak detection and automatic shutoff systems because they reduce claim risk. We can provide documentation and photos of your installation that you can share with your insurance provider.

Q6: Is smart plumbing only for newer homes?

A6: No. In fact, older San Francisco homes may benefit the most. We design systems that respect older structures while adding modern protection.

Next Steps

If you’d like to protect your San Francisco home, ADU, or multi-unit building from water damage, smart plumbing and leak detection is a high-impact upgrade. We’d be happy to inspect your existing plumbing, recommend the right system, and provide a clear, transparent proposal.

Contact Heidi’s House Construction to schedule a consultation for smart plumbing solutions and leak detection in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area.