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9 Best Modern Plumbing Devices for Your Smart Home
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This is the era of the connected smart home. Plumbing took a while to catch up- but new innovations in modern plumbing have changed the game. Now, equip your home with tech automations that save water, increase efficiency, lower utility bills, and improve your health.
At Mother Modern Plumbing, we’re focused on innovative, tech-driven solutions to everyday plumbing issues. Our team of licensed technicians studies and invests in the latest advances in plumbing equipment, materials and water quality products.
In this article, our Master Plumbers and research team deliver a list of the most exciting plumbing innovations. They transform the way you use fixtures, optimize appliance performance, and reduce risk of plumbing repairs and water damage in your home.
Interested in smart plumbing upgrades for your Dallas home? Call Mother 7 days a week — you’ll meet with a licensed, service-oriented technician within 24 hours.
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Modern Plumbing: The New Definition of Quality
“The pipes, fittings and fixtures in your home’s plumbing should be as smart as your TV,” says our Responsible Master Plumber Steven Smith.
It’s easy to think of smart appliances like tankless water heaters, smart toilets and WaterSense certified dishwashers as part of a modern home plumbing system. But innovation in our field extends far past the components you can see everyday.
Non-invasive leak detection technology that requires no digging or cutting into your house.
Hybrid water softening and filtration systems, independently lab-certified to reduce mineral scaling, soften water, and remove contaminants and bacteria from your water.
Smart water shut-off valves that stop floods and water damage before they start — even if you’re miles from home. (And quite literally dozens more solutions.)
“The tech to improve every part of your plumbing system is out there,” Steven continues. “There’s really no excuse for any plumber not to be using it.”
9 Tech Innovations Our Master Plumbers Love
Here are the 9 advances in plumbing technology our Master Plumbers recommend for your smart home:
For leak and water damage prevention:
- Automatic smart water shut-off valves
- Water heater auto shut-off valves
- Pressure reducing valves
For leak location and detection:
For water quality improvement:
- Whole home water softeners with filtration features
- Reverse osmosis home water systems
For increased appliance efficiency:
For general home health:
- Touchless kitchen faucets
Smart Solutions for Leak and Water Damage Prevention
Automatic smart water shut-off valves
These smart valves detect changes in water pressure and incoming water flow to your home and automatically shut off the water supply. Control this proactive maintenance solution from an app, anywhere in the world — your insurance provider will love you for it.
How they work:
Automatic smart water shut-off valves are installed on the main water line entering your home. A series of smart sensors monitor incoming water pressure and flow rate from the city or well supply to your pipes.
A leak or burst pipe changes the rate of water. The moment your sensors detect unusual water activity, they signal your shut-off valve to close. This blocks the flow of water into your home, and stops the leak before it causes damage to your home and plumbing.
Notable tech and products:
Our Master Plumbers like Phyn Plus for its user-friendly app and advanced sensor technology. Mother’s team of licensed plumbers is fully trained and certified by the manufacturer to install Phyn Plus smart shut-off valves.
Other standout brands in the field include Moen Flo, Sentinel Leak Defense and Flo-Logic.
Core benefits:
- Damage mitigation. Since 2021, we’ve noted water damage claims in the $35,000-$50,000 range for associated repairs. A representative from Jacobs Insurance Solutions cited an $800,000 damage assessment for a Texas client.
- Insurance perks. “Carriers are looking for a homeowner that is trying to mitigate risk,” explains Paxten Volbrecht, Director of Agency Operations at Jacobs Insurance Solutions. Carriers like Chubb, Nationwide and Travelers offer installation rebates and premium discounts for homes with smart water shut-off valves- some as high as $500.
- Peace of mind. Never come home from vacation or a weekend away to find a flooded home again.
Want more insights about the insurance benefits of smart water shut-off valve installation? Read our insightful guide, and see which brands your provider offers incentives for.
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Water heater auto shut-off valves
This point-of-use leak detection system is best utilized on hot water heaters, but is also applied to other water using appliances. Self-maintenance cycling capabilities mean it’s ready to stop your leak at a moment’s notice.
How they work:
The system is installed on the water using appliance of your choice- our plumbers note its best use case is on your home’s hot water heater.
Much like a whole home smart shut-off valve, these utilize a smart sensor that detects changes in water pressure and flow rate caused by leaks. These aren’t exclusive to pipe breaks- the sensor also identifies a leak in your hot water tank.
The sensor sends a signal for the motorized valve which automatically closes. Many devices also sound an alarm when a valve close is triggered.
Notable tech and products:
FloodStop is a brand that’s become so synonymous with hot water heater shut off valves, customers ask for it by name. If you’re looking for options, choose products with ball valves- they’re generally more reliable than gate valves for full leak restriction.
Core benefits:
- Leak prevention. Your water heater’s generally located in a place you don’t look often. That allows a tank leak or pipe break to create massive flood damage in your garage, basement or utility room before it’s noticed.
- A warning sign for water heater repairs. Imagine scheduling water heater repair or replacement service without any water damage in your home. Shut-off valves allow for proactive, not reactive, maintenance- and that’s truly modern plumbing.
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Pressure reducing valves (PRV)
Regulate and maintain incoming water pressure into your house. Pressure reducing valves (PRVs) allow homeowners to control their desired flow rate- keep those strong showers without overwhelming the pipes in your walls and under the floorboards.
How they work:
City water systems often increase water pressure to provide adequate service to large populations. Homes with aging pipes or recurring plumbing issues may find this level of incoming pressure unsustainable. This is where your PRV helps.
A spring-loaded diaphragm is the main control of the system, and an adjustable screw allows the spring to be compressed or loosened. The spring’s pressure overrides the incoming water pressure by restricting the valve’s opening.
Your home’s incoming water flows through your preset opening. If incoming water flow ever pushes the diaphragm against the spring, the PRV closes to reduce the pressure.
Notable tech and products:
Zurn Wilkins, Watts, and Honeywell are industry leaders. The PRV product you choose is highly reliant on incoming water pressure and the age of your existing water pipes. Consult a licensed plumber with deep familiarity working in your neighborhood.
Core benefits:
- Older home protection. PRV installation is a great option for older homes with aging pipe systems. Regulated water pressure means less strain on your water pipes- that means less risk of in-wall leaks and damp subfloors.
- Local perks. Towns and cities committed to home and infrastructure upgrades often reward residents who install PRVs. As of this publication, Plano, TX offers a PRV installation rebate that covers 50% of the PRV, associated parts and installation costs, up to a maximum of $500.
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Advanced Tech for Leak Location and Detection
Electronic leak detection
The gold standard of modern plumbing leak detection equipment. A combination of electronic, acoustic and infrared technology offers unbeatable leak location with pinpoint accuracy.
How they work:
Electronic leak detection equipment operates in 3 stages:
1. Acoustic solutions: As water moves through your pipes, it emits a generally consistent sound. When it escapes the pipe through a leak or break, the frequency of that sound changes. Highly-sensitive microphones in the unit detect these frequency changes.
A transducer captures amplified versions of these sounds and delivers them to your plumbing technicians through headphones. The location of these frequency changes is calculated with high precision- even in difficult areas like under your home’s foundation.
2. Electronic moisture meters: These on-board meters monitor the water content of a targeted area. An overly soggy section of your flooring, walls or soil indicates the presence of a nearby leak. Moisture meters are especially helpful with underground leak detection.
3. Thermal imaging: An infrared camera highlights temperature variations and reveals them on a color-graded display- blue for “cold spots”, red for “hot spots”. As water escapes from a pipe, thermal imaging displays the changes in temperature caused by cold water and hot water leaks.
This powerful trio of frequency analysis, moisture measurement and thermal imaging makes electronic leak detection the single best method to find a break in your water pipes.
Notable tech and products:
Mother’s leak detection pros use LeakTronics electronic leak detection equipment with confidence to find leaks hidden underground, near the slab, in walls and underneath floorboards. Leak detection experts like Roger Wakefield also suggest Leak Pro branded equipment.
Core benefits:
- Non-invasive leak location. Find hidden leaks in your home and backyard without digging holes or cutting into your walls and floors.
- Great for foundation leaks. Electronic leak detection is especially valuable for concrete slab foundations- find a leak fast without breaking your slab or disturbing the soil surrounding your concrete foundation.
- Multimodal tech. Acoustic detectors and thermal imaging cameras are both available as separate entities. Electronic leak detection kits offer both, plus the added benefit of on-board moisture meters.
Leak detection reviews from the pros: Discover how our Master Plumbers rate electronic leak detectors against other forms of water leak location technology.
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Modern Systems for Water Quality Improvement
Whole home water softeners with filtration features
You want the health and plumbing benefits of soft water in your home, plus filtration solutions that remove heavy metals, forever chemicals and pesticides from your water. The best water quality products now provide both.
How they work:
The innovation behind home water softening systems is an ion exchange system. Most systems use sodium ions to alter the chemical composition of calcium and magnesium in water, eliminating their ability to create hard water and scaling issues.
A primary tank contains negatively charged resin beads, which hold positively charged sodium ions. As water passes through the tank, calcium and magnesium ions are attracted to the charged resin beads. As these ions attach to the beads, they change places with the sodium ions in the tank.
The hard mineral ions are therefore replaced to create softer water. A regeneration process flushes brine (salt water) and the hard mineral ions out of the system.
Notable tech and products:
Our Master Plumbers and research team spent 10 weeks rigorously testing home water softening systems for their effectiveness and ability to remove harmful contaminants. We chose WaterTech as the best water softener brand for most homes.
Core benefits:
- Reduced water line damage. Mineral scaling and buildup reduce the lifespan of your water pipes and increase the frequency of repairs. A water softener system significantly limits the amount of calcium and limescale that enters your home’s plumbing.
- Cleaner, healthier water. Products like WaterTech’s Infinity Pro series are lab-certified to remove forever chemicals, lead, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and VOCs from your potable water supply.
- Water repair savings. A professional review of industry data from 2009-2023 shows the average household saves $1,550 per year on plumbing maintenance and appliance operation with a water softener.
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Reverse osmosis home water systems
Purify your water by separating contaminants, dissolved solids and chemical molecules through a reverse osmosis membrane. Use this proven technology to empower your home with healthier, better tasting water.
How they work:
Incoming water flow is highly pressurized and pushed through a semi-permeable membrane. This reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane) traps the molecules of dissolved solids, contaminants and chemical compounds while allowing water molecules to pass through.
A series of filters augments this technology. A pre-filter traps sediment, debris and chlorine. The RO membrane eliminates impurities like arsenic, forever chemicals and waterborne viruses. A carbon post-filter takes bad odors and tastes out of the purified water, which is then placed in a pressure tank to await delivery to your taps.
A dedicated “reject stream” directs the collected contaminants and harmful particles away from your potable water supply.
Notable tech and products:
A large quantity of RO water systems use filters from GE and 3M- brand isn’t quite as important as the features and components of your proprietary system.
Look for NSF/ANSI certified reverse osmosis systems- these are independently lab-certified (many Amazon brands are not). If you desire a point-of-use system, make sure you choose a three stage RO system with pre-filter, RO membrane and activated carbon post-filter.
Core benefits:
- Healthier water. Enjoy RO purified drinking water without bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides and forever chemicals.
- Reduced water hardness. Especially helpful for homes in areas with hard water. RO systems reduce calcium, magnesium and dissolved salts that cause scaling in pipes and fixtures.
- Better-tasting water. Consumers overwhelmingly report a better overall taste and smell in their drinking water supply.
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Tech-Driven Products for Increased Appliance Efficiency
Smart toilets
The best smart toilets go beyond convenience (heated seats, bidets, self-opening lids). WaterSense certified smart toilets save water with every flush. Enhanced health features monitor waste content to deliver insights on your blood, glucose level and nutrient intake.
How they work:
The function and technology behind smart toilets is divided into two categories: convenience and efficiency, and advanced health monitoring.
Convenience and efficiency:
- Comfort: Heated seats allow users to experience maximum comfort during use. Products with self-opening lids and automatic flushing mean your hands never contact bacteria on a toilet lid or flush handle again.
- Cleanliness: Bidet functions provide an enhanced cleaning experience for the user. Control heat and water pressure from a remote or app, and utilize the on-board air dryer after use. Deodorizers eliminate any unpleasant smells.
- Reduced water use: Look for EPA WaterSense certified smart toilets. These devices use 1.28 gallons or less per flush- 20% less than federal standard- while maintaining optimal performance. The EPA states these toilets “save more than $170 per year in water costs”.
Advanced health monitoring:
- Blood and glucose: Many smart toilets have chemical sensors that monitor any blood content and glucose levels in urine. A cloud-connected data processing unit alerts the user to any irregularities.
- Waste analysis: Sensors and cameras within the system analyze consistency and general health markers in content.
Notable tech and products:
Do not buy cheap knockoffs. They generally aren’t independently lab-certified and do not meet the regulatory standards of EPA WaterSense.
TOTO products (like the Toto Washlet) are highly regarded. Kohler and Bio Bidet also offer well-reviewed smart toilet and bidet systems.
Core benefits:
- Healthier bathroom experience: Whether it’s touchless seat lids and automatic flushing, or the ability to monitor irregularities in waste content, smart toilet systems offer innovative insights that improve your health and hygiene.
- Clean and smell-free: App-controlled functions mean less overall contact with the toilet components itself. On-board deodorizers eradicate unpleasant smells.
- Water savings: The EPA reports a 20% reduction in water used per flush saves the average home nearly 13,000 gallons of water per year.
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Tankless water heaters
Whether you use natural gas or electric, tankless water heaters are an innovative, efficient method of on-demand hot water delivery that eliminates the scaling, corrosion and tank burst issues of conventional hot water heater systems.
How they work:
The purpose of a tankless water heater is to eliminate the storage tank component- opting instead to heat water as needed for on-demand delivery.
When you turn on a hot water tap or faucet, cold water is delivered to the on-demand unit. A sensor detects new water flow and signals for the ignition system to activate. The heating element differs depending on your fuel source- gas units use a burner, while electric systems use electric resistors.
The cold water is circulated through the heat exchanger for rapid hot water creation. The hot water then exits your tankless unit, directed at the open tap or faucet where it’s needed.
Notable tech and products:
Your decision is largely driven by whether your home uses natural gas or electric. For gas systems, homeowners report strong performance from Rinnai and Navien products
Steibel is a rising name in the electric tankless water heater market. Regardless of what you choose, be sure to descale your system once per year for optimal performance.
Core benefits:
- Energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters save money on your energy bills. A US Department of Energy study found on-demand tankless units are up to 34% more efficient than conventional boilers.
- Installation credit: As we reported in Spring 2025, EnergyStar offers a tax credit on natural gas tankless water heaters installed between 2023 and 2032. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit covers 30% of total installation cost up to $600.
- Potential insurance savings: “Carriers are looking for a tankless water heater, specifically in the garage on the first floor,” says Paxten Volbrecht. “They don’t want a tank. Preferred customers are going to be ones that have… tankless heaters.”
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Innovative Plumbing Fixtures for General Home Health
Touchless kitchen faucets
An absolute savior for home cooks. No food debris on the kitchen faucet. No touching raw chicken, then your tap. This hands-free innovation improves efficiency, optimizes workflow, and protects your kitchen from accidental cross-contamination.
How they work:
Touchless faucet technology starts with an infrared sensor near the spout. This sensor detects the presence of an object in motion- like your hand or a dirty dish. When your hand passes the sensor, its infrared light reflects off your skin and back to the detector.
Then, the detector sends a signal to your touchless faucet’s control system. A solenoid valve opens, allowing water to pass through the faucet as you need it.
The water shut-off mechanism depends on your specific brand of hands-free faucet:
- A pre-set timer;
- Automatic shut off when motion is no longer detected; or
- Detection of a second motion in front of the sensor.
Most touchless faucets are powered by low-voltage AC power or batteries.
Notable tech and products:
A handy new feature on some high-end touchless faucets is voice activated technology. These allow you to request certain amounts of water at a specific temperature through your smart hub- for example, “Hey Google, pour me a 12 ounces of 50 degree water.”
If you love the idea of a voice-activated touchless kitchen faucet, look into the Delta Essa VoiceIQ. Many Kohler touchless kitchen faucets have an override knob on the solenoid valve in case of a power outage.
Core benefits:
- Limit cross-contamination: Never worry about touching your kitchen faucet after touching raw meat or unwashed food again.
- Easier workflow: A saucepan in one hand and a deep pot in the other? A hands-free faucet means you can still turn on the sink.
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Mother Delivers Modern Plumbing to Dallas Homes
Our Master Plumbers guided you through innovations in water quality, appliance efficiency, leak detection and prevention, and home health.
As different as they are, our 9 modern plumbing picks all have four things in common:
- Optimized plumbing efficiency driven by tech innovations;
- A focus on improving user health and quality of life;
- The potential to save money through lower repair costs, installation rebates, lower monthly water bills or tax credits; and
- Mother is expertly trained and certified to install them all.
Mother’s on a mission to fundamentally change how people experience plumbing services, by investing heavily in both cutting-edge technology and exceptional technician support.
Dallas area homeowners: ready to make your plumbing as smart as the rest of your home? Call us 7 days a week for a free estimate- our licensed techs will guide you through modern plumbing solutions for your way of life.
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