What is Plumbing Check?
Plumbing Check is a feature on the Phyn Plus that looks for tiny leaks in your plumbing system that may cause damage over time.
During a Plumbing Check, Phyn temporarily shuts off your water and monitors for small pressure losses in your pipes. Any intentional water use during the test will interrupt it, so make sure no water is being used while a Plumbing Check is running.
You can view the results of Plumbing Checks directly in the Phyn App.
Types of Plumbing Checks
There are three types of Plumbing Checks available.
Standard Plumbing Check
Takes about 3–5 minutes
Phyn checks for pressure loss during the test period
Can be run automatically on a schedule or manually from the app
If a Standard Plumbing Check detects abnormal pressure loss, Phyn will send an alert.
A Plumbing Check alert is generated if a pressure drop of 4 psi or more over 3 minutes is detected.
Alert message:
“Phyn Alert for Home. Plumbing Check detected unusual water activity”
Extended Plumbing Check
Takes about 10–13 minutes
Detects more subtle plumbing issues
Can be run manually from the app
The longer duration improves accuracy when identifying small pinhole leaks and other slow leaks.
A Plumbing Check alert is generated if a pressure drop of 4.5 psi or more over 10 minutes is detected.
Alert message:
“Phyn Alert for Home. Plumbing Check detected unusual water activity”
Dynamic Plumbing Check
Takes about 10–13 minutes
Begins as a scheduled Standard Plumbing Check
Automatically extends if potential issues are detected
If a scheduled Standard Plumbing Check detects a pressure drop of 1.5 psi or more over 3 minutes, it dynamically extends to the length of an Extended Plumbing Check.
A Plumbing Check alert is generated if a pressure drop of 4.5 psi or more over 10 minutes is detected.
Alert message:
“Phyn Alert for Home. Plumbing Check detected unusual water activity”
Automatic Plumbing Checks
Phyn automatically runs Standard Plumbing Checks during times when water usage is unlikely, such as overnight.
If water is turned on during a Plumbing Check:
The test is automatically interrupted
Water flow resumes immediately
You can adjust or disable scheduled Plumbing Checks in the Phyn App at any time.
Running a manual Plumbing Check
You or your plumber can run a Plumbing Check at any time from the Phyn App.
Open the Phyn App.
Tap the main menu.
Select Plumbing Check.
Tap Run Test.
Choose Standard or Extended Plumbing Check.
You can exit the app while the test is running. Phyn will notify you when the test is complete and provide the results.
Devices that may affect Plumbing Checks
Some devices can cause pressure fluctuations or continuous water use, which may prevent Plumbing Checks from running successfully:
Hot water recirculation systems
Radiators connected to domestic water
Ice machines
Refrigerator water dispensers
If a fixture runs continuously, Plumbing Checks may fail. In this case, turn the fixture off and run a manual Plumbing Check.
Enhanced Plumbing Checks
Phyn’s AI has been trained on nearly two billion water events. Enhanced Plumbing Checks improve leak detection accuracy while reducing false alerts and providing clearer messaging.
When scheduled Plumbing Checks are enabled:
Up to three attempts will be made
The first attempt runs at the scheduled time
If blocked or interrupted, a second attempt runs 30 minutes later
If still unsuccessful, a third and final attempt runs 30 minutes after the second
A push notification is sent only if all three attempts are blocked or interrupted.
Plumbing Check statuses and messages
Plumbing Check Blocked
Reason: Existing Water Usage Detected
What does this mean?
Phyn detected water flowing before the Plumbing Check started and skipped the test to avoid interrupting usage.
What can I do?
Schedule the Plumbing Check during a time when no water is running.
Run a manual Plumbing Check.
Plumbing Check Interrupted
Reason: Water Usage Detected During the Plumbing Check
What does this mean?
Water use started during the test, so Phyn interrupted the Plumbing Check.
What can I do?
Schedule the Plumbing Check during a time when no water is running.
Run a manual Plumbing Check.
Plumbing Check Blocked
Reason: Low Pressure
What does this mean?
There was not enough pressure to start the Plumbing Check.
What can I do?
Ensure the manual shut-off valve is open.
Schedule the check when no water is running.
Confirm your home’s base pressure is at least 20 psi.
Run a manual Plumbing Check.
Plumbing Check Interrupted
Reason: Thermal Expansion (Pressure Rise Detected)
What does this mean?
Pressure increased during the test, often caused by hot water expansion.
What can I do?
Ensure systems like recirculation pumps are not active.
Schedule the check during a time of stable pressure.
Verify your thermal expansion tank or water heater is functioning properly.
Run a manual Plumbing Check.
Plumbing Check Blocked
Reason: Shut-Off Valve Already Closed
What does this mean?
The shut-off valve was already closed when the test attempted to start.
What can I do?
Ensure the shut-off valve is open.
Run a manual Plumbing Check.
Plumbing Check Interrupted
Reason: Pressure Fluctuation
What does this mean?
Pressure varied too much during the test to complete an analysis.
What can I do?
Disable systems that cause pressure changes.
Schedule the check during a stable pressure period.
Consider having a pressure regulator valve checked or installed.
Run a manual Plumbing Check.
Plumbing Check Blocked
Reason: Data Timeout
What does this mean?
Network connectivity issues affected the test.
What can I do?
Power cycle the device.
Verify Wi-Fi and internet stability.
Run a manual Plumbing Check.
Plumbing Check Interrupted
Reason: Low Pressure
What does this mean?
Average pressure during the test fell below 5 psi.
What can I do?
Ensure the shut-off valve is open.
Avoid scheduled water-using systems during the test window.
Confirm base water pressure is at least 20 psi.
Run a manual Plumbing Check.
Plumbing Check Blocked
Reason: Shut-Off Valve Unresponsive
What does this mean?
The shut-off valve could not open or close, or communication failed.
What can I do?
Power cycle the device.
Check Wi-Fi and internet connectivity.
Run a manual Plumbing Check.
Plumbing Check Interrupted
Reason: User Cancelled
What does this mean?
The Plumbing Check was canceled by the user before it started.
What can I do?
Run a manual Plumbing Check.
Plumbing Check Blocked
Reason: Plumbing Check Already in Progress
What does this mean?
A manual Plumbing Check was already running when a scheduled check attempted to start.
What can I do?
Review the results of the manual check.
Avoid running manual checks near scheduled check times.
Plumbing Check Blocked or Interrupted
Reason: Other
What does this mean?
The Plumbing Check could not start or complete due to an unspecified issue.
What can I do?
Power cycle the device.
Run a manual Plumbing Check.