Compatibility Guide

Pipe Compatibility

The PlumBuddy Valve installs on your main water supply line. Compatibility depends on your pipe material and size. Here is what works and what to be aware of.

Compatible Pipe Materials

Material	Compatible	Notes
Copper	Yes	Most common in homes built after 1960. Threaded, union, or sweat fittings can be used.
PEX	Yes	Common in newer homes and remodels. Your plumber will use appropriate PEX-to-threaded adapters.
CPVC	Yes	Found in some homes built in the 1980s-2000s. Requires compatible adapters.
Galvanized steel	Yes	Common in older homes. Threaded fittings work directly. May benefit from updated piping.
PVC	Contact support	Not standard for indoor potable water in most jurisdictions. Contact support@plumbuddy.co to discuss your installation.

Important Note About Fittings

PlumBuddy valves use threaded connections. Your plumber will select the appropriate fittings (unions, threaded adapters, or sweat adapters) to connect the valve to your existing pipe material. If sweating copper, the joints must cool completely before attaching the valve — do not apply heat to the valve body.

Valve Sizes

PlumBuddy valves are available in three sizes:

Valve Size	Fits Pipe Size	Connection Size (NPS)
DN20	3/4”	1”
DN25	1”	1-1/4”
DN32	1-1/4”	1-1/2”

How to Determine Your Pipe Size

Most homeowners do not know their pipe size off the top of their head. Here are some ways to find out:

Check your home inspection report. The plumbing section usually lists the main water line size.
Look at your water meter. The meter itself or the line coming from it often indicates the pipe diameter.
Measure the pipe. Wrap a string or measuring tape around the outside of the pipe (the circumference). Divide by 3.14 to get the outside diameter, then check a pipe sizing chart for the nominal size.
Ask your plumber. A licensed plumber can identify your pipe size in seconds.

Common Pipe Sizes by Home Type

Most single-family homes: 3/4” or 1” main water line
Larger homes (3,000+ sq ft): Often 1” or 1-1/4”
Condos and townhomes: Typically 3/4”
Commercial properties: Varies widely; contact PlumBuddy sales for guidance

Using Reducing Unions

If your pipe size does not match the valve size exactly, your plumber can use reducing unions to make the connection. For example, if you have a 3/4” water line and a DN25 (1”) valve, reducing unions allow a proper fit. This is a standard plumbing technique and does not affect the valve’s performance.

Water Softeners

PlumBuddy works in homes with water softeners. The valve should be installed before the water softener (between the main shutoff and the softener) so that the valve protects all downstream plumbing, including the softener itself.

Considerations

The valve will see untreated (hard) water if installed before the softener. The DZR brass valve body is designed to handle standard residential water conditions.
Water softener regeneration cycles may cause water flow that the system learns to recognize as normal over time.
If your softener has a bypass valve, install PlumBuddy upstream of the bypass.

Irrigation and Sprinkler Systems

PlumBuddy is designed for indoor plumbing protection and is not recommended for installation on irrigation lines. Here is how to handle different irrigation setups:

Separate Irrigation Line

If your irrigation system has its own dedicated water line (separate from your indoor plumbing), install PlumBuddy only on the indoor line. The irrigation system operates independently and is not affected.

Shared Water Line

If your irrigation and indoor plumbing share the same water main, install the PlumBuddy valve downstream of the irrigation branch. This way, your indoor plumbing is protected while irrigation continues to operate normally.

Your plumber should install the valve:

After the main shutoff
After any pressure regulator
After the irrigation branch
Before the water heater and indoor plumbing branches

Important

Do not install PlumBuddy on any fire suppression line. This includes fire sprinkler systems. The valve must be positioned downstream of any fire sprinkler branch.

Steam Radiators

PlumBuddy works in homes with steam heating systems. The system uses flow detection that learns your home’s normal water usage patterns over time, including the periodic water draws that steam radiators require. Once PlumBuddy learns your household’s typical behavior, radiator operation will not trigger false alarms.

Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs)

If your home has a pressure reducing valve (PRV), install PlumBuddy downstream of the PRV. If your home does not have a PRV, PlumBuddy recommends installing a spring check valve upstream of the PlumBuddy valve to improve water isolation and flow detection accuracy.

The maximum operating pressure for PlumBuddy is 232 PSI (1.6 MPa). Most residential water systems operate well below this limit, but homes without a PRV that are close to municipal pumping stations may experience higher pressures.

WiFi Requirements

All PlumBuddy devices require a 2.4 GHz WiFi network:

PlumBuddy Valve: Must be within 100 feet of the WiFi router
PlumAssist Puck: Must be within 100 feet of the WiFi router
PlumSense Cable: No WiFi required (connects to PlumAssist via cable)

5 GHz WiFi is not supported. If your router combines both bands into a single network name, the devices will automatically connect to the 2.4 GHz band in most cases. If setup fails, you may need to temporarily split the bands. See our WiFi troubleshooting guide for details.

Power Requirements

Device	Power Source	Notes
PlumBuddy Valve	USB-C (120V outlet)	10-foot cable included. Battery backup lasts 1-7 days.
PlumAssist Puck	CR123A battery	Lasts approximately 5 years.
PlumSense Cable	Powered by PlumAssist	No battery required.

The PlumBuddy Valve requires a 120V power outlet within 10 feet of the installation location. If no outlet is available, an electrician may need to install one before the plumber can install the valve.