I wouldn’t want anything touching the main water pipe of my house if there were any questions about its reliability.
I use a SmatThings multi sensor on my sump pump discharge line to detect vibration. Now Aeotech, might well work, If you can snag one that is returnable if it doesn't fly. Aeotec Multipurpose Sensor (Zigbee)
To connect a Sonoff in-line wouldn't you need to pay a plumber to create the room in the mains pipe ?
They're going to charge you more than the price of a Flume to do that, if they don't refuse due to being non-certified device you're inserting.
As I already wrote above, I use these for irrigation and I considered to install on the main pipe. But everyone is saying it is not a good idea. I didn't understand why and nobody tells me why.
If water flow volume and/or pressure is not something that sonoff can't handle then what is it ?
I considered that but it needs some sort of water protection (IP 5x) and I don't think I can handle it. Also , I don't have a sensor for that purpose. Do you know any sensors that I could use with esp32 boards ?
I have a few vibration sensors but sensing vibration means "on/off" , I would like to get some sort of rate value.
well, I live in Turkey. Plumber doesn't usually charge more than 25-30$ for such work here.
Besides, Flume is not available here and we have a very difficult customs process. Even if I pay 250$ for Flume, then I would have to pay at least 200$ for customs processing.
I can think of a couple reasons.
I put a $300 zigbee valve by Leaksmart on the main water pipe entering my home. The pipe fittings are brass, a plumber installed it, and it came with a five-year warranty (only if installed by a pro). It’s in my basement. If it catastrophically fails, my basement will flood until I can get to the manual shutoff valve that’s also on the water main down there.
But I’m very confident that won’t happen, and I’m also pretty confident it won’t fail to shutoff if one of my leak sensors elsewhere in the house ever goes off.
For my irrigation, out in the back yard, I’m using a $40ish valve from a no-name Tuya clone. Most of it (all of it?) is plastic. I’m not even sure if it has a warranty. I screwed the garden hose thread fittings on myself.
While I do hope it doesn’t fail, I’m prepared to accept the possibility it might. In the event it does, the worst case scenarios include some dead plants, or wasted water (meaning wasted money) until I can shutoff the hose bib. There’s not really anything to flood, though.
Drastically different consequences of a device failure for me. I’m fortunate to have a lot of choice of devices for each purpose.
Some, or maybe even all, of the above may not apply to you. You know your situation and risk tolerance better than anyone else.
Totally agree with what you’ve written. Irrigation valves should not be used for a main valve.
Personally, when I had an inline valve, like yours, I built a bypass and a secondary shutoff, so I could have water if the Iris failed shut, or turn it off if it failed open.
yes that's correct. My main valve is outside the house in the garden. And currently it is "always" open with a manual valve. I will put an additional valve in front of it. So if that additional valve fails to close, or opens by itself , it won't be worse than the current situation.
In that context, I am not increasing risks with a no-warranty device. Am I wrong ?
If the "only" concern is risk, then I might go with Sonoff. But I am wondering, is there any other reason ?
Volume/pressure of water it can handle ?
Hey @kkossev did you every find a solution to the manual button press not changing status?
My concern would be to know if these valves are rated for potable water. I suspect they are not tested nor rated for this.
You are very likely introducing lead, cadmium, nickel, or other heavy metals along with toxic materials like phthalates or bisphenols to your water supply.
Hi Chad,
Try the Tuya Zigbee Valve new version 1.6.3 2025-10-21 - (dev.branch) Sonoff SWV TRV specific configuration
Click on Configure() button or save the Preferences.
This is what I see in the Info logs after saving the Preferences and then manuallo opening and closing the valve :
And here is another one. This one I opened with the dashboard, and closed it with the physical button. The valve on the dashboard stayed on open.
As a workaround, do you think that receiving the Zigbee message 'Irrigation End Time ....' could be used as a criterion for setting the valve state to 'closed' ?
Can you post a screenshot of the logs that follow a Configure command or better Save Preferences?
Do you see 'Configuring Sonoff SWV TRV' as in my screenshot below?
As a workaround, do you think that receiving the Zigbee message 'Irrigation End Time ....' could be used as a criterion for setting the valve state to 'closed' ?
Maybe, but you would need something for open as well?
Here is after saving under Preferences
oh no !!!
I am really worried now ![]()
Make light of that warning if you prefer, but hopefully others that read this thread in the future will take heed.
I think the biggest issue with using a battery operated valve in the "always open" state is that the valve takes power to keep it open. It will wear though the batteries quickly with the coil always energized to keep the valve open. The are designed to be "mostly off".




