Meet Joey Valve: The Official Upgrade
The original Mildred Valve has evolved.
Built by the same BuildTuff team, Joey Valve combines everything plumbers valued about Mildred, now with a sealed 10-year battery, solenoid shutoff valve, manual bypass and WaterMark approval for greater reliability and easier servicing.
Whether you're replacing an existing Mildred Valve or researching automatic water shutoff protection, you've come to the right place.
Three Generations of Continuous Improvement
Every product evolves.
Joey Valve wasn't designed to replace Mildred because it failed, it was developed because every installation taught us something new. Over thousands of installations, plumbers gave us valuable feedback about servicing, maintenance and long-term reliability. Joey Valve is the result of those years of learning.
Mildred
Introduced automatic leak detection and shutoff protection for Australian hot water systems.
Mildred V2
Improved electronics and refinements based on installer feedback.
Joey
A complete redesign featuring:
- Solenoid shutoff valve
- Sealed 10-year battery
- Manual bypass
- 316 stainless steel construction
- WaterMark approval
- Available in 15mm, 20mm and 25mm
The same simple idea. Built better.
Why Joey Valve Is the Upgrade
Rather than simply updating Mildred, we redesigned the system from the ground up.
Older automatic shutoff valves used a mechanical ball valve to stop water flow. Ball valves that sit untouched for long periods can become stiff or stuck, and when that happens, the valve fails closed. The water stays off, the homeowner is stranded and someone has to come out. Joey Valve uses a solenoid valve instead. When moisture hits the sensor, it trips in milliseconds, nothing to stick, nothing to seize. A built-in manual bypass means water can be restored immediately if the valve ever needs inspection or servicing. Nobody is left without water.
Replaceable batteries were one of the most common frustrations with older leak protection valves. When they went flat, often unnoticed, the valve would beep until someone changed them. For plumbers, that meant callbacks with nothing to do with the original install. Joey Valve runs on a sealed long-life battery rated for 10 years of normal operation. No user replacements. No testing reminders. No 3am beeping.
If Joey Valve ever needs attention, the manual bypass restores water flow immediately. That matters in homes, apartments and rental properties where leaving a tenant without water isn't an option.
Joey Valve comes in three BSP sizes, giving plumbers more flexibility across different hot water systems, laundries and appliance connections.
Joey Valve operates as a fully standalone device, no Wi-Fi, no app, no internet connection required. It detects moisture and shuts off the water automatically, whether the home has internet or not. For those who want more visibility, the Joey Smart Home Adapter is coming, an optional add-on that will connect Joey Valve to your home network and enable remote monitoring, real-time leak notifications and app-based control. The core valve works without it, so there's nothing to wait for to get protection in place today.
Mildred Valve vs Joey Valve
| Feature | Mildred Valve | Joey Valve |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Automatic leak detection and water shutoff | Automatic leak detection and water shutoff |
| Common use | Internal hot water systems | Hot water systems, laundries, appliances, indoor leak-prone areas |
| Valve type | Mechanical ball valve | Solenoid shutoff valve |
| If it fails | Water stays off, callout required | Rotate to bypass, water flows straight through |
| Battery | Replaceable, 6-monthly tests recommended | Sealed 10-year battery, no replacement |
| Battery alerts | Beeps when batteries go flat | No user batteries, ever |
| Manual bypass | No | Yes, built in |
| Sizes | Commonly 15mm | 15mm, 20mm and 25mm |
| Valve material | Brass | 316 stainless steel |
| Wi-Fi required | No | No |
| Licensed plumber install | Yes | Yes |
| WaterMark approved | Yes | Yes |
Mildred Valve Beeping, Stuck or Not Working?
A beeping Mildred Valve usually means one of two things: the batteries are low or flat, or the valve has been triggered by moisture reaching the sensor. Check the safety tray first. If there's no water present, low batteries are the likely cause and they'll need replacing. If the tray is wet, the valve has done its job, mop up the water, dry the sensor and have a licensed plumber inspect before resetting.
Mechanical ball valves can seize if left in one position for an extended period. Do not try to force it. Contact a licensed plumber to assess whether the valve can be freed or needs replacing.
Confirm the batteries are fresh, the sensor is dry and there's no water present in the tray. If the valve still won't reset or respond, have a licensed plumber inspect it, a seized ball valve or failed component may require replacement.
These are the exact problems Joey Valve was rebuilt to solve: a solenoid that can't seize, a sealed 10-year battery that never goes flat, and a manual bypass so the water stays on while any issue is sorted. If you're servicing an existing Mildred Valve or ready for a modern replacement, Joey Valve is the upgraded option from the same BuildTuff team.
Where Joey Valve Can Be Installed
Joey Valve is suitable for a wide range of indoor plumbing applications where early leak detection can prevent expensive water damage.
Fit to the cold inlet during a hot water system install or swap, with no extra space or wiring needed.
Add it under sinks, toilets and washing machines, wherever a flexi hose is the weak point.
A quick upsell on strata jobs, where one burst pipe can affect several units at once.
A five-minute add-on whenever you're already under the sink or at the meter for a service call.
Bundle it into bathroom or kitchen reno jobs as standard leak protection on the new plumbing.
An easy add-on at the laundry taps, protecting one of the most common burst points in the home.
Set-and-forget protection landlords will pay for, since nobody's home to catch a leak early.
Protection that works while the house sits empty for weeks at a time.
Indoor use only. Must be installed by a licensed plumber.
Ready to Upgrade?
Protect your home from costly water damage.
Whether you're replacing an older Mildred Valve or installing automatic leak protection for the first time, Joey Valve provides simple, standalone protection without Wi-Fi, apps or ongoing battery maintenance.
- WaterMark approved
- 10-year sealed battery
- Free Australia-wide shipping
Join the Joey Valve Trade Program.
Offer your customers the next generation of automatic leak protection while accessing exclusive trade pricing and installer support.
- Trade pricing
- Installation resources
- Product support
- Approved installer discounts
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Joey Valve is the next-generation replacement from the same team at BuildTuff, the same automatic shutoff concept, rebuilt with a solenoid valve, 10-year sealed battery and manual bypass. It replaces both the original Mildred Valve and the Mildred V2.
The Mildred Valve is no longer in production. Joey Valve is the current automatic shutoff valve from BuildTuff, the same team behind the Mildred Valve and Mildred V2, and is the recommended replacement. Available online at buildtuff.com.au and through selected Reece locations.
Joey Valve uses a solenoid valve instead of a mechanical ball valve, and a sealed 10-year battery instead of replaceable batteries. The solenoid can't stick or seize, and the battery never needs replacing or testing.
A beeping Mildred Valve usually means the batteries need replacing or the valve has been triggered. Have a licensed plumber inspect the system to confirm whether it needs servicing, resetting or replacing.
A stuck or non-operating Mildred Valve may indicate the ball valve has seized. Do not attempt to force it. Contact a licensed plumber to inspect and advise on servicing or replacement options.
The built-in manual bypass lets you rotate the valve to bypass mode so water flows straight through. Nobody is left without water and no emergency callout is needed.
No. Joey Valve operates as a fully standalone device, no Wi-Fi, no app, no internet connection required. The Joey Smart Home Adapter is an optional future add-on that will enable remote monitoring, real-time leak notifications and app-based control for those who want it.
Yes. Joey Valve holds WMTS-476:2016 certification (Licence No. 080115) and AS4020 approval.
Joey Valve must be installed by a licensed plumber.
15mm, 20mm and 25mm BSP.
Yes, for internally installed hot water systems and other indoor leak-prone areas when installed by a licensed plumber.
Upgrade from Mildred to Joey Valve
The same automatic leak protection, redesigned with a solenoid valve, sealed 10-year battery and manual bypass.
Free Australia Wide Shipping
We deliver across Australia with free shipping.
Built To Last.
Designed for real-world performance and long-term reliability on modern job sites.
