Get to Know Your Device: MicroLeak Test

What is the MicroLeak Test?

MicroLeak test (also known as a Health Test) is performed to ensure your home’s plumbing is leak free. During the MicroLeak Test the Flo device will close its valve and observe the pressure in the plumbing. If the rate of pressure loss is above a certain small threshold it indicates pressure/water exiting somewhere out of the plumbing system. If a small leak is detected, Flo will alert the user that a ‘Small Drip Detected” was found. There are two ways to trigger a MicroLeak Test, Automatic and Manual.

Automatic: As part of your Flo service, and one of the main features of your Flo by Moen Smart Water Shutoff, a daily automatic MicroLeak. This automatic test will run during the hours when you’re least likely to use water and will be cancelled and re-tested should you use any water for the duration of the test. The exact time the test runs can vary from user to user as Flo will do its best to not disturb your regular water usage schedule. Flo usually runs one test per day but can run up to 3 tests in 1 day if it needs to.

Manual: A manual MicroLeak test is one that is triggered by running the Manual MicroLeak (Health) Test in the App or user.meetflo.com. You can view instructions on how to manually run a MicroLeak Test here.

How does the MicroLeak Test work?

During the MicroLeak Test, the Smart Water Shutoff will close its valve, preventing any water supply from influencing your home. While the water is shut off, Flo will monitor the stability of the water within your pipes for the next several minutes. If there is very little to no pressure change, you will pass your test. However, if you have a drippy fixture or a leak at any point, the MicroLeak check will fail, and Flo will notify you.

How sensitive is the MicroLeak Test?

ve, the test is able to pick up a drip as slow as 1 drop per minute. Such a small drip will not be visible on your apps “Current Flow” meter. This is because a small drip is not moving enough water to be detected as water flow.

What alerts will I receive about my MicroLeak Test?

MicroLeak Test Alert	MicroLeak Test Description
Small Drip Detected	Small Drip Detected is a warning that a small drip was potentially detected during a MicroLeak Test. Receiving a Small Drip Detected alert is the most common alert type and occurs after a MicroLeak Test is run on your home water system and Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff detected that there may be a small drip (or microleak) occurring somewhere in the water system.
MicroLeak Test Successful	Microleak Test Successful is an Information Alert notifying you that the Microleak Test ran from the Flo by Moen App was completed and that no leak or vulnerability was detected in the homes plumbing system.
MicroLeak Test Started	MicroLeak Test Started is an Information Alert notifying the user that the MicroLeak Test ran from the APP has started. You should not use any water while this test runs. Your device will automatically run a daily MicroLeak test, but you can also run a manual MicroLeak test.
MicroLeak Test Interrupted	Microleak Test Interrupted is an Information Alert notifying you that the Microleak Test was interrupted as a result of a water fixture being in use during the Microleak Test, and therefore the Microleak Test was aborted. Before and during any Microleak Test, your water fixtures cannot be in use.
MicroLeak Test Skipped	MicroLeak Test Skipped is an information alert notifying you that the MicroLeak Test was not performed as a result of the valve being in the closed position or water is being used. Once the valve is in the open position and water activity has stopped, the MicroLeak Test can be performed.

What should I do if I fail my MicroLeak Test?

If you fail your MicroLeak Test, read the Small Drip Detected troubleshooting article.

If the leak is this small, can’t I just ignore it?

Your Flo by Moen Smart Water Shutoff is designed to provide you with information on the MicroLeak of your plumbing system. Even the smallest drips can result in a large leak if left ignored. Remember that your pipes always have a constant pressure between 40-80psi (potentially more if you do not have a pressure reducing valve installed) and that constant pressure is pushing against all of your fixtures and pipes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whatever may be causing the small leak could give into the pressure and cause an even bigger leak, or a burst. Flo will do its best to shut your water off as quickly as possible, to minimize water damage impact but it could take several minutes for such a leak to be detected and acted upon by Flo.

It’s best practice to stay on top of detected leaks to at least discover the cause. You may find that it’s a fixture or faucet that can be shut off in the meantime and addressed later, or with professional help, you may discover that there was a hidden leak somewhere which could potentially have led to water damage somewhere in the home.