FAQ
Here is our FAQ. They are broken down by catergories. If there is a questions you do not see and would like answered, please fill out our FAQ form.
Here is a quick list of the different catergories:
Insurance Discounts
Security System Integration
Product Installation
System Power Loss and Battery Operation
TickerValve Operation
Water Sensors – FloodBug and SideKick
VIP Sr. or VIP Jr. Operation
Also, if you do not see your question answered here you can always download the user manual located here or under the main Support tab on our website.
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Insurance Discounts
Q: Does PipeBurst Pro help me qualify for a discount on my homeowner's insurance premiums?
A: Yes, protecting your home from possible flooding reduces risk and thus increases your insurability; many insurance companies provide a discount. Contact your insurance agent directly to see if discounts are offered for installing a PipeBurst Pro system as we have over 10 companies that currently provide an insurance discount for installing one.
Security System Integration
Q: Can the PipeBurst Pro work with my security system?
A: Yes, the PipeBurst Pro system comes with auxiliary contacts and can be wired into your existing home security system with simple low voltage wiring (wiring not included). Please consult your security system manual or installation professional for details on product integration.
Product Installation
Q: Do I need a plumber to install the PipeBurst Pro?
A: We recommend that a certified and licensed plumber install the PipeBurst Pro TickerValve. However, if a homeowner with a high level of competence in plumbing wants to install the product please check your local plumbing codes for specific information.
Q: Where should I install the PipeBurst Pro’s TickerValve?
A: Note: If you have a fire suppression system, this valve should be installed after this line. The PipeBurst Pro’s TickerValve should be installed on the main incoming water line. It should be installed at the first point after the existing manual shut-off valve. It is also important to mount the valve so that the homeowner has easy access to the VIP Sr. or VIP Jr. in order to reset the system in the event that it has been tripped.
System Power Loss and Battery Operation
Q: What happens if power is lost to VIP Sr. or VIP Jr.?
A: VIP Sr.: The backup battery will take over and then the system will be running on the backup battery. The TickerValve will automatically close before the backup battery dies. Any FloodBugs on AC power will not be able to detect water, although the SideKick attached to the VIP Sr. will be able to detect water as long as the backup battery is not dead.
VIP Jr.: Nothing will happen to the TickerValve, if it is open it will stay open, if it is closed it will stay closed. The sensors will not detect water if there is no power on the PipeBurst Pro Jr.
Q: Do the batteries in the FloodBug work as a backup when there are batteries installed and plugged into AC power?
A: No, the batteries do not function as a backup. Choose either batteries or AC power when setting up your system. Do not place batteries in the FloodBug if you are using AC power, the batteries could corrode and cause damage to the FloodBug.
Q: What happens if power is lost to a FloodBug?
A: The VIP Sr. will go into an alarm within 24 hours and flash red LED 1 & 5. The water will also shut off and LED 3 will be red.
Q: How long will the VIP Sr. run on the battery backup when there is no AC power?
A: The VIP Sr. will last 2 to 3 days when it switches over to the backup battery, when there is no AC power. The TickerValve will automatically close before the battery completely dies to protect the house, if a leak would occur during the time of no AC power. The battery will recharge itself when power is restored, as long as the battery was not discharged beyond repair.
Q: If you use batteries to power the FloodBug, is there a notification when the batteries are getting weak and need replacement?
A: Yes, the FloodBug will give an audible beeping when you press the sync button on the bottom of the device, 1 beep means low batteries, 2 beeps means okay batteries, 3 beeps means full batteries.
Q: How long do the batteries last in the FloodBug?
A: FloodBugs batteries should be replaced annually or they should be replaced every time a FloodBug goes into an alarm or when it begins to chirp. The FloodBug will begin to chirp, like a smoke detector, when the batteries get low.
Q: Will the SideKick that is connected to the VIP Sr. or VIP Jr. still function during a loss of power?
A: Depends, if you are running a VIP Sr., then YES it will continue to operate until the battery would die, but the TickerValve will close before the battery would die.
If you are running a VIP Jr., then no the SideKick would not operate.
Q: What kind of batteries are used in the FloodBug?
A: AA batteries, you can either use Alkaline or Lithium batteries.
TickerValve Operation
Q: Can I turn off my TickerValve manually with the actuator mounted to the valve?
A: Yes, using the manual handle does not affect the reliability or integrity of the actuator.
Q: If I open the TickerValve manually, does the flood protection still work?
A: Yes, the flood protection will still function and reclose the valve if it was manually opened.
Q: If the TickerValve is manually closed and the SideKick detects water, will an alarm still be output to the home security system?
A: Yes.
Q: Can the actuator extension cord be added to the existing actuator connection wire/cable, or do I use only one actuator extension cord?
A: Yes, it is truly an extension cord. Example: If you add a 10 foot extension cord the total length would be almost 18 feet long.
Q: How far can TickerValve be from VIP Sr. or VIP Jr.?
A: The farthest the valve can be from either VIP is 107 feet 10 inches.
Q: Is the TickerValve suitable for below grade installs?
A: Yes, our actuator housing is rated to NEMA 6P (Waterproof) and NEMA 7D (Ignition safe). It can even run under water!
Q: If I have a fire suppression system can I still install the PipeBurst Pro?
A: Yes, we recommend you install the TickerValve after all fire suppression lines.
Water Sensors – FloodBug and SideKick
Q: How much water must be present for a flood sensor to detect a leak?
A: It literally only takes a little puddle of water to activate the system. The key is ensuring the sensors are correctly placed in the most beneficial of locations to best detect leaks and puddles at the earliest possible moment.
Q: How many wireless FloodBugs can the PipeBurst Pro handle?
A: You can have up to 44 wireless devices, the amount of FloodBugs depends on how many FloTrax’s and Repeaters are in the system. The maximum number of FloTrax’s is 2, and the maximum number of synced Repeaters is 2.
Q: Will a FloodBug detect water without a SideKick?
A: Yes, the FloodBug has gold plated sensor pins right on the underside of the FloodBug.
Q: Can the SideKick that is plugged into the FloodBug be split with a SideKick Splitter?
A: Yes, then you can connect a SideKick splitter to the FloodBug and then add more than 1 SideKick to the FloodBug. It is also possible to split SideKick splitters.
Q: What is the standard length for a SideKick?
A: SideKicks come with wires at lengths of 5 feet and 20 feet.
Q: Are the SideKicks Normally Open or Normally Closed devices?
A: The SideKicks are a Normally Open circuit.
VIP Sr. or VIP Jr. Operation
Q: How long is the included VIP Sr. or VIP Jr. actuator connection wire/cable?
A: The actuator connection wire/cable is approx. 7 feet 10 inches long.
Q: Does the VIP Sr. or VIP Jr. come with a SideKick?
A: Yes, one (1) 20 foot SideKick.
Q: What wireless frequency does the PipeBurst Pro Sr. transmit?
A: The PipeBurst Pro Sr. runs on 432.99 mHz. It produces an analog signal.
Q: Will the wireless frequency of the PipeBurst Pro affect other wireless devices?
A: Most likely no, the frequency our system (432.99 mHz) runs on is an uncommon frequency. Most things in a normal house will run on 2.4 GHz, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Q: Can the SideKick plugged into the VIP Sr. or VIP Jr. be split with a SideKick Splitter?
A: Yes, then you can either plug in a complete hardwired house system or another SideKick.
Q: How far can I extend the SideKick that is connected to the VIP Sr. or VIP Jr.?
A: 1025 feet. (This would require two (2) Wiring Cables (GF1138, 500 feet of wire each), two (2) Junction Boxes (GF9027), one (1) Adapter Harness (GF9028), and one (1) Wall Jack (GF9026).)
Q: What do I need to do when a FloodBug goes offline?
A: The FloodBug can be “dead” or go offline if the radio signal is too weak because it is too far from the VIP Sr., or if it loses power. If the VIP Sr. does not hear from a FloodBug within 24 hours it will signal the owner with an alarm and LED 1 & 5 will flash red. The TickerValve will also close, so LED 3 will be red. When you reset the system it clears the memory and waits for another 24 hours to hear from the FloodBugs, if it doesn’t hear from them the alarm will go off again. The system will keep doing this until the “dead” FloodBug is fixed by moving it to a location with a good radio signal, installing new batteries, or plugging it in.
Q: How do I know which FloodBug is offline?
A: To determine which FloodBug is offline the press the red “Sync” button on the bottom side of the FloodBug. If you hear the “battery test” beeps, a rapid succession of beeps, and three long beeps that means that the FloodBug has power and is communicating with the VIP Sr. If you only hear the “battery test” beeps it means that you have power but it is not communicating with the VIP Sr. If you hear nothing then the batteries need replaced or it needs to be plugged into AC power.
FloTrax and Repeater
Q: My FloTrax is flashing red and green, is there something wrong with the FloTrax?
A: No, the FloTrax can do this from time to time. It just means that it does not know the TickerValve's current valve state. To fix this, just tap the button one time and the light should go back to the current TickerValve state. Or it will eventually fix itself once the VIP Sr. sends out a TickerValve status update.
Q: Do you need to sync the Repeater?
A: No, the Repeater does not have to be sycned to the VIP Sr. for it to repeat messages from devices to the VIP Sr. If you wish to sync them, use this to know if they are with in wireless range and verify this with the "happy" chirp. There can only be a MAX of 2 synced Repeaters to the VIP Sr.
Q: Can you use AA batteries in the FloTrax or Repeater?
A: No, AC power only is to used for the FloTrax and Repeater.
Q: Can you repeat a Repeater?
A: No, the Repeater cannot repeat off another Repeater.
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