Lowtech Graph lists low-tech options for every need of a home. Here you can compare them, find tutorials to build them, and link them together into a circular system. Why low-tech?
Manual isolation valves at key points
Passive
One of 2 ways to meet this need. Cost, carbon, footprint and rankings are relative to other solutions for the same need, not absolute.
Lets a leak or failure be isolated to one section rather than shutting off the whole system.
Build it
No build tutorial recorded yet.
Cost
Low
Upkeep
Occasional
Skill to build
Basic
Lifespan
20-30 years for quality brass/bronze valves before seals need replacement; cheaper plastic valves fail sooner
Levels are relative to the other options for this need, not absolute. Fewer dots is lighter.
Manual isolation valves at key points (This page) Can I use it? Works in a flat · No rebuilding needed What does it cost me? Upfront cost: Low · Skill to build: Basic · Upkeep: Light · Change to daily life: None · Works without the grid: Yes Choose it if you want to isolate one section for a leak or a repair, cheaply and by hand.
Automatic smart leak-detection shut-off valve Can I use it? Works in a flat · No rebuilding needed What does it cost me? Upfront cost: Medium · Skill to build: Specialist · Upkeep: Light · Change to daily life: None · Works without the grid: No Choose it if you want leaks you would never notice stopped automatically.
Sources
General plumbing-valve industry durability consensus
Limitations of this page
We don’t list sizing or quantities, as the yield of each technique depends on the quality of its build. The catalogue compares options but doesn’t dimension them. Regulatory notes are indicative, with a French example, and need to be confirmed locally.