Droplet is built to work with the most common residential pipe types, but in some cases, the material or pipe condition can prevent proper signal detection. If your Droplet stays stuck on an orange light or can’t detect flow, the issue may be due to pipe compatibility.
❌ Pipe Types & Conditions That May Not Work
Pipe Type or Condition | Why It’s a Problem |
Galvanized Steel / Stainless Steel | Incompatible with ultrasonic signals to reliably measure |
Painted or Insulated Pipes | Coatings block signal contact with the pipe wall |
Flexible / Corrugated Pipes | Irregular shape prevents reliable clamping and signal accuracy |
Multi-layer Composite Pipe (e.g. AluPEX) | May work in some cases, but detection is inconsistent |
Pipe Diameter < ½” Nominal (with OD of 5/8" min) -o-r > 1½” Nominal (with OD of 2" max) | Smaller than or larger than these dimensions are outside Droplet’s supported sensing range. |
Pipes with < 4” of Straight Length | Not enough room for Droplet's ultrasonic sensors to make contact with the pipe. |
🔁 Already Installed but Not Working?
If your Droplet is installed and still showing an orange light or failing to detect flow, try the following:
Double-check the pipe material and diameter
→ If unsure, send us a photo of your pipe — we’ll confirm compatibilityClean the pipe surface
→ Remove any paint, stickers, or insulation using sandpaper or a Scotch-Brite padCheck that the pipe is straight for at least 4” on either side of the device
→ Avoid nearby elbows, joints, or valves
🛠 Still No Luck? We Can Help
If your pipe is likely incompatible, don’t worry — we’ll take care of you:
💡 You may also qualify for remote support if we believe repositioning or calibration could help. Just keep the device plugged in and online.