Blog>Cost Guides>How much does it cost to install a water shut off valve?
Last updated: 31 March 2022
How much does it cost to install a water shut off valve?
If you have a faulty appliance or a leak, a water shut off valve can save you a whole lot of trouble and heartache by allowing you to stop the flow of water through your home while things are repaired. That way, you can minimise the amount of damage that’s caused to your home. Here, we’ll look at the cost to install a water shut off valve, from automatic valves to water valve replacements.
If you have a faulty appliance or a leak, a water shut off valve can save you a whole lot of trouble and heartache by allowing you to stop the flow of water through your home while things are repaired. That way, you can minimise the amount of damage that’s caused to your home. Here, we’ll look at the cost to install a water shut off valve, from automatic valves to water valve replacements.
What’s an automatic water shut off valve?
| Item | Cost - low | Cost - high | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic water shutoff valve | £200 | £420 | £310 |
| Main water valve replacement | £150 | £200 | £175 |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
An automatic water shut off valve automatically shuts off the water supply to your home if it detects that the flow is irregular or there’s excess moisture. In this way, it can be a great way to safeguard your home against water leaks, and to avoid any associated damage.
There are two main types of leak detection and automatic shut off systems:
1. Moisture sensor automatic water shut off systems
These systems use moisture pucks to detect moisture in the home where it shouldn’t be. If you use one of these systems, the moisture pucks should be scattered around your home. Then, if moisture comes into contact with them, the system will either alert you or automatically shut off your water supply.
2. Flow-based leak detection systems with automatic water shut off valves
These systems use a continuous flow of water, rather than moisture, to detect that there is something wrong. Then, if something’s not right, they’ll automatically shut off your water supply. For example, if the system notices that water has been running for 20 minutes non-stop, it might shut off your water.
In this way, these systems are able to prevent damaging leaks that could destroy your home, just like the moisture sensor automatic water shut off systems. But they can also help spot and prevent non-damaging leaks that could increase your water bill, such as a leaking toilet. Whole-house flow-based leak detection systems with automatic water shutoffs are therefore more comprehensive and have fewer false positives, making them the preferred system by most homeowners and insurance companies.
How much does an automatic water shut off valve cost?
The cost to install a shut off valve will vary based on factors such as:
The type of valve
Whether it’s installed by a professional or whether you find a system suitable for DIY installation
Labour costs in your area
Location and accessibility
Although there are automatic water shut off valves that can be installed on a DIY basis, we’d highly recommend getting a professional to install your system so that you can be sure it’s been properly installed and can fully rely on it.
Average cost to install water shut off valve
It usually costs between £200 - £420 to get a smart valve installed, depending on the features you need and whether you get a professional to install it for you.
However, by getting a leak detection and automatic water shut off system, you’ll be able to save money in other areas. Firstly, you might be eligible for discounts on your annual insurance premium. And secondly, you’ll be able to prevent costly damage to your home in the case of a water leak.
One in every 55 homes experiences a damaging water leak every year, thanks to issues like frozen pipes, refrigerator tubing cracks or burst toilet lines. These leaks often cause around £5,000 worth of damage, but it’s not unusual for that to climb to £70,000 in some cases. Ultimately, the cost to install a shut off valve is a fraction of that cost and well worth it if it prevents a similar leak in your home.
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How much to replace a water valve?
Regardless of whether your shut off valve is automatic or not, it can help you to avoid extensive damage to your home in the case of a leak. Your main water shut off valve controls the flow of water throughout your whole home, so it’s important to have one that works. That way, if you notice a problem, you can just turn off the water while you wait for somebody to come and fix it.
Your main water valve should last around 10 to 20 years or even longer. However, after a while, it could rust or break. In this case, you can expect to pay between £120 - £170 for a plumber to replace it, as well as no more than £30 for materials.
Key takeaways
Your water shut off valve can help prevent extensive damage to your home in the case of a leak.
Automatic water shut off valves can notify you of issues and turn off the flow of water automatically.
A standard water shut off valve will generally last 10 to 20 years or even longer.
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