Bluebot measures water usage using ultrasonic sound waves that travel through the pipe wall.
A poor ultrasonic signal quality message means those sound waves aren’t traveling cleanly through the pipe.
This is usually caused by pipe condition or installation setup, not a software issue.
Common causes
Painted, dirty, or uneven pipe surface
Paint, rust, tape, or residue can block or scatter ultrasonic signals.Pipe material limitations
Copper and PVC transmit ultrasonic signals best.
Galvanized steel pipes may produce inconsistent signal quality, especially if they’re older or internally corroded.Installed too close to fittings
Mounting near elbows, valves, or tees can disrupt signal transmission.Poor physical contact
If Bluebot isn’t sitting flush against the pipe or the pipe vibrates, signal quality may drop.Zero point not set correctly
Setting the zero point while water is flowing can affect readings.
How to improve signal quality
Install on a clean, unpainted, dry section of pipe
Move Bluebot to a straight pipe run, away from valves or bends
Make sure the device sits flush and firmly mounted with the sticky ultrasonic gel pads
Re-set the zero point with no water flowing
If installed on galvanized steel, try a different pipe section if available
Note:
Poor ultrasonic signal quality is almost always related to pipe material or installation conditions—not the app or firmware.
If signal quality remains poor after these steps, our support team can help review your setup.