Flo by Moen Quirks: A Running Review

by Margaret · Published November 13, 2019 · Updated December 1, 2020

**Our honesty policy: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Some are, some aren't--I do some comparison shopping. The important thing is you will know exactly what we are talking about. Drop a note/comment if you have any questions on the products as these are materials and tools we use on our own projects.

We love our Flo by Moen, but as with many smart, complex devices, it comes with its own set of quirks. No deal breakers at any rate, but something to be aware of ahead of time.

#1 Flo by Moen now tracks backflow.

My first device was an original Flo produced before the Moen markings appeared on the packaging. On days when the entire family was out of the house and the citrus trees were not irrigated, the total for the day was zero.

After installing the replacement Flo and briefly heading out of town I started getting some odd readings. The total read 2 gallons used by mid morning. Each hour had a little usage logged.

Flo by Moen app detects backflow as the inline turbine goes forward and backward. However, upon discovering this quirk it is alarming. A little EVERY hour?!? What could be happening...especially at 7 am?

A little EVERY hour?!? What could be happening…especially at 7 am?

However, the daily health checks had all come back at 100% OK prior to my observation. I reconfirmed the daily automatic health check with a manual health check.

The Flo by Moen app activity log with daily automatic and manual health test results.

Nothing came up.

This made me feel slightly better having experienced actual slow “leaks” as discussed in this post: Prevent Water Damage 24/7: A Flo by Moen Review

Still slightly unnerved, I gave my neighbors an apprehensive call. When they stopped by they did not see or hear anything obvious.

I contacted Flo support the next day to discuss the behavior. I was relieved when the knowledgeable support tech noted it could be the in-line turbine detecting backflow.

Have you ever noticed the toilet water moving around on a windy day? While that is on the outgoing side of plumbing, I can imagine something similar on the supply side. Although I do have to say I’m surprised at those numbers since the supply side is more of a closed system.

If you do not have a backflow preventing device, as I do not, you may experience this phenomenon with the more sensitive newer version.

I’ll take more sensitive readings knowing there are cross checks–both automatic and manual–built in to the system.

Just to reinforce this quirk with another data set–you can also see the difference in the weekly email report:

Flo by Moen old email weekly report.

Flo by Moen new email weekly report which detects backflow and also has a few more details on the average pressure as well.

The Flo by Moen new email weekly report which also has a few more details on the average pressure as well. Also note, (it may be obvious, but for completeness) we were home the second week on the email.

#2 Build a cover if your Flo will be outside.

This is a significant investment in your home. You may decide to go for the Flo Protect plan, but also plan on making your own physical Flo Protect plan.

Build a cover if your Flo will be outside. This is a significant investment in your home. You may decide to go for the Flo Protect plan, but also plan on making your own physical Flo Protect plan.

Flo by Moen temporary cover.

Yes, this is a janky temporary cover, but in a pinch it will do before I let another UV ray hit it. That is, before I have (and my “helpers” give me) a chance to make a prettier one.

#3 The logo now faces up.

The latest Flo by Moen devices have a change in logo and direction.

Admittedly, this one is pure looks.

The vast majority of houses have pipes coming out of the ground. Previously, if a Flo was placed on a vertical stack upright, the logo was upside down.

Photos posted by the early adopters showed this quirk.

With the Flo and Moen partnership, the logo changed as well as the direction of the logo on the device.

I know, I know, aesthetics have no bearing on performance, but they did a good job correcting this.

#4 The Flo support team answers in a timely, respectful and honest manner.

While not a quirk, it is always good to know when a product has support behind it. As I noted in the original review, I’m on my ~~second~~ third Flo. The weekend support during the demise of the first one was phenomenal, as have the answers to my questions since.

It’s a new product on the market and as a new adopter you get to experience the ups and downs. But knowing the support team is responsive and useful is just as much peace of mind as the actual device.

Check Flo out for yourself here for pricing/other reviews<–as I mentioned in the big review, if I sent you here, give me a heads up before you buy a Flo.

This post is somewhat of an extension of the original review (Prevent Water Damage 24/7: a Flo by Moen Review), but considering that post is already at a massive 3,400 words and 24 photos, a post on the quirks on Flo by Moen seemed like a decent division. I will be updating this post as my experience with Flo continues. Especially when I make a new Flo cover this winter.