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What does a Low Flow Alert mean?

Phyn Plus (1st + 2nd Gen)

What does a Low Flow Alert mean?

Last updated on 27 Jan, 2026

Phyn sends a Low Flow Alert when it detects a small but continuous flow of water that may indicate a minor leak. By default, this alert is triggered when:

  • Water flow continues for at least 20 minutes, and

  • Total usage reaches 6 gallons


What happens next

If Auto Shutoff is enabled:

  1. You’ll receive the initial Low Flow Alert.

  2. A second alert is sent 10 minutes later.

  3. If you don’t respond within 15 minutes of the second alert, Phyn will automatically shut off your water.


Checking your alert status

Open the Alerts section in the Phyn App:

  • Active means water use is still ongoing

  • Resolved means the activity has stopped, and you’ll see when it was last detected

For example, if a faucet was left running and later turned off, the alert will appear as resolved.


Common causes of a Low Flow Alert

Low Flow Alerts are often caused by minor but persistent water use, such as:

  • A dripping or partially open faucet

  • A hose or spigot left on

  • A leaking toilet flapper causing the tank to refill continuously


What you should do

If you’re home:

  • Listen for running water and check visible fixtures

  • If the source isn’t obvious, you can use Plumbing Check to help isolate the issue

    • Manually shut off a fixture (using the stop valve)

    • Run a Plumbing Check in the app

    • If the result is normal, that fixture was likely the source

    • Repeat as needed

If you can’t locate the issue, we recommend contacting a plumber.

If you’re away from home:

  • Turn off your water remotely using the Phyn App

  • Contact a plumber for assistance until the issue can be checked in person


Help Phyn learn

If you know the alert was not caused by a leak, tap the alert and select “Tell Us” at the bottom of the screen. Your feedback helps Phyn recognize normal water use and reduce future alerts.


How thresholds adapt over time

The flow and time limits above are default thresholds. After 21 days, Phyn begins adjusting Low Flow thresholds based on your home’s actual water-use patterns:

  • Thresholds update daily

  • Frequent low-level usage → thresholds gradually increase

  • Very minimal usage → thresholds become more sensitive

This learning helps balance early leak detection with fewer unnecessary alerts.

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