RMC Releases the FloodGuard Isolation Valve
Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RMC) has released the FloodGuard Isolation valve, designed to shut down water in the event of a burst pipe or hose. The aim of this solution is to reduce flooding or water damage.
In Australia, the average insurance claim for water damage in the residential sector has increased by 72% in the past five years to just over $30,000 per annum, according to insurance company Chubb’s Get Smart About Water Leaks report. On top of that, the report also outlines how water damage is much more prevalent when compared to other insurance claims such as fire or burglary.
It attributes the increased amount of claims to the rising number of plumbed-in appliances in Aussie homes as well as extra bathrooms on upper levels and open-plan spaces.
The four most common causes of water damage in Australian homes are burst flexi hoses, appliance damage, blocked gutters and blocked drains.
The RMC FloodGuard has an inbuilt loose nut connection that automatically resets after activation and repair. The valve allows water to flow normally until it detects a flow rate that exceeds 14L/min for a 15mm pipe or 19L/min for a 20mm pipe. If these levels are exceeded, the valve automatically shuts off stopping the water flow until it is reset, saving water and preventing any potential damage.
The RMC FloodGuard is easy to install for a licensed plumber and can be used in any flexible hose assembly application, including washing machines and dishwashers. The valve sits between the isolating tap and the flexible hose connection to the fixture.
RWC state sales manager Geoff Hoban has seen firsthand how expensive a burst hose can be: “It’s one of those things where you don’t realise how much peace of mind it gives you until something bad happens and you regret not having installed one earlier.”
Designed and manufactured in Australia, the FloodGuard valve is available in 15mm and in the market now.