Water Submeter Installation for Apartments

Retrofit Water Submeter Installation for Multifamily Properties

LeakSense installs unit-level water submeters and shutoff valves in existing apartment buildings and multifamily properties across California. The process starts with a site assessment to confirm plumbing compatibility, then proceeds unit by unit with minimal disruption to residents and operations.

For information on what the system monitors after installation, see leak detection with automatic shutoff and water submetering and unit-level metering.

Water submeter installation in apartment building

What Installation Actually Involves

Most property owners considering submetering have seen quotes for inline meter replacements that require cutting into main supply lines, significant plumbing work, and building-wide shutoffs. LeakSense takes a different approach - sensors install at each unit's individual supply line, not at the main. This makes the process suitable for occupied buildings without coordinating a property-wide outage.

Before installation begins, we conduct a site assessment to verify that each unit has an accessible, dedicated supply line. Shared risers or unusual plumbing configurations can make individual unit metering impractical, and we identify those situations before scheduling any work. If your building is not a good fit, we will tell you at that stage rather than after you have committed to the project.

No Building-Wide Water Shutoff

Water is shut off only to the individual unit being worked on, and only during that unit's installation. Neighboring units stay on throughout.

Compatible with Most Pipe Types

Sensors work with galvanized, copper, PEX, and PVC plumbing - covering the majority of existing multifamily construction in California.

Plumbing work during water meter installation
Licensed plumber installing water submeter

How We Coordinate with Your Property

Scheduling access across a multifamily building with occupied units takes planning. We work with your property management team to notify residents in advance, coordinate unit access, and sequence the work to avoid disrupting common-area water supply. Installations can be scheduled on evenings or weekends when that makes access easier.

Residents do not need to be present during installation, but access to the unit is required. Your team manages communication with residents - we provide any documentation or notices you need to send.

What's Included in Installation

Site Assessment

Pre-installation survey of plumbing access points to confirm compatibility, identify any units that may present challenges, and plan the installation sequence.

Hardware Installation

Flow meter sensors at each unit supply line. Where included in your plan, motorized shutoff valves and cellular or Wi-Fi gateways are installed and tested at the same time.

System Setup and Configuration

Devices are paired to the platform, unit assignments are confirmed, and alert thresholds are configured before the installation team leaves the property.

Testing and Documentation

Each unit is tested to confirm data is reporting correctly. Installation records, device assignments, and photos are captured and available for your files.

Retrofit vs. New Construction

Retrofit (existing buildings): The most common scenario. Sensors are added to existing supply lines unit by unit. Plumbing access, unit scheduling, and pipe configuration determine the timeline. We plan the project around your building's specific conditions rather than applying a standard template.

New construction: For properties in development, LeakSense can coordinate with your plumbing contractor to integrate metering infrastructure during rough-in. This gives more flexibility on placement and reduces visible hardware in finished units. Contact us early in the project if this applies to you.

After Installation

Once devices are installed and configured, the property dashboard shows live usage data for each unit. The platform monitors flow continuously and sends alerts when patterns indicate a possible leak or unusually high consumption.

If a device reports an issue after installation, the platform flags it. Hardware is covered under warranty, and LeakSense provides support for device issues based on your plan. We confirm warranty and support terms when you receive your quote.

Installation Questions

  • Does my building need to meet specific requirements before submeters can be installed?

    Each unit needs its own accessible supply line that feeds only that unit and no others. If your building has shared risers where one pipe feeds multiple units, individual unit metering may not be possible without plumbing modifications. Pipe material is generally not an obstacle - LeakSense sensors work with galvanized, copper, PEX, and PVC. We confirm compatibility during a site assessment before any work is scheduled. If your building is not a fit, we will tell you at that stage.

  • Will water be shut off during installation, and for how long?

    Water is shut off only to the individual unit being worked on, and only for the duration of that unit's installation. There is no building-wide water shutoff. Neighboring units are unaffected throughout. The shutoff period per unit depends on plumbing access and configuration, which we assess before installation begins.

  • Do tenants need to be home during installation?

    Access to the unit is required, but tenants do not need to remain present throughout. We coordinate scheduling with your property management team and provide advance notice to residents. Evening and weekend installations can be arranged where needed to make access easier.

  • Who performs the installation?

    Installation is performed by licensed plumbers trained on LeakSense hardware and system setup. We can clarify specifically who handles your project when you contact us for a quote.

  • What happens if a meter has an issue after installation?

    Hardware is covered under warranty. The platform flags devices that stop reporting or show unexpected readings, so issues are typically caught early. Support is provided based on your plan - we confirm warranty and response terms at the time of your quote.

  • How long does it take to install across a full building?

    Timeline depends on the number of units, plumbing access conditions, resident scheduling, and whether shutoff valves are included. We provide a project timeline estimate after the site assessment, once we have a full picture of the property.

Our Services

Installation at a Glance

  • Site assessment first
    Compatibility confirmed before any work is scheduled
  • No building-wide shutoff
    Only the unit being worked on loses water temporarily
  • Works with occupied buildings
    Scheduling coordinated with property management
  • Galvanized, copper, PEX, PVC
    Compatible with most existing pipe materials
  • System live on install day
    Devices configured and tested before team leaves

Get a Quote

Tell us about your property and we'll confirm compatibility and pricing.

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