When it comes to plumbing, valves are essential components that can’t be avoided. The purpose of most water valves is to control water (sometimes gas and other things). Valves come in a range of different styles that mainly depend on their function and place to use. This has made it challenging to choose the correct valve required. At PlumbingSell, we have a wide selection of valves to meet your needs. In this guide, we’ll provide a general overview of the main types of valves we provide, including essential information on where to use them.
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What is a Valve?
In a piping system, valves are piping components used to regulate, control, and direct fluid passing through a pipe. Depending on the system’s setup, valves could be controlled manually, automatically, or even actually. Valves are commonly used to control the flow and can also isolate sections of plumbing for repairs.
Although valves are a type of fitting, they are usually discussed separately based on their unique categories. For instance, the common categories are water valves and gas valves, which use fluid to identify their function. However, there are many more categories of valves designed to target specific plumbing needs.
In this article, we will provide basic information on some common water valves and their benefits and drawbacks.
Stop Valves
A stop valve is a type of valve used to control the flow of water to specific fixtures. It works by allowing the flow of water to completely stop or open. Although most valves could be used as stop valves, there are still valves designed primarily for this function. These specifically designed valves are often seen in cases like toilets, sinks, dishwashers, and more.
The internal stop valves can use any mechanism, such as a ball or globe. This design allows more precise control of water flow. It is helpful for isolating parts of systems where repair or maintenance is required without affecting the entire plumbing system.
Ball Valves
Ball valves are probably the most widely used valve design in residential plumbing systems. It works by locating a hollow rotational ball in the center of the valve to control the water flow. When the ball is parallel to the water inlet, liquid or gas flows freely through the pipe. In contrast, when the ball is rotated perpendicular to the pipe, the passageway will be blocked. To operate the open and close of the valve, only a 90-degree turn is needed. Their design has made them more user-friendly, reliable, and durable.
Ball valves come in a wide range of materials and styles to suit most applications. No matter which material is used, these valves are not prone to leaking or seizing. They are also usually cheaper than other types of valves, which makes them cost-efficient.
In general, ball valves provide quick and reliable operation, are reliable and durable, and are easy to install and maintain. They are also capable of withstanding high pressure and powerful flow rates with little to no damage. However, ball valves are not suitable for throttling liquid and could be clogged, so keep this in mind when choosing what to do and where to use them.
Butterfly Valves
Butterfly valves are commonly used for isolating and regulating water flow. They don’t have a butterfly appearance; instead, the internal components of the valve give them this name. The butterfly valve uses a rotating disc in the center to control the water flow. When the quarter-turn handle is turned, the disc opens and allows fluid to pass through, while when the disc is closed, it prohibits the movement of the fluids.
It is recommended that butterfly valves should be used on pipes with a diameter of 3 inches and above, as this has made them less common in household plumbing than in industrial plumbing. Their design takes up minimal space and can be easily operated manually. Butterfly valves are also considered to be lightweight and compact, which makes them compatible with large pipe systems.
The drawbacks of butterfly valves are apparent. First, they are not ideal for high-pressure systems, and the disc in the center could potentially cause minor flow resistance. Second, they are not as suitable for residential plumbing as other types of valves, as they perform better with larger-diameter systems. Last but not least, the price of the valves is relatively high compared to other options.
Check Valves
Check valves don’t look like typical valves and don’t function like typical valves. A check valve is a type of valve that limits the fluid’s flow direction to one direction only and prevents backflow. The pressure-controlled disc within the valve closes automatically when fluid flows reversely. This will help prevent the potential damage or contamination caused by backflow and help maintain the integrity of the system.
Check valves are commonly used in water pumps, sprinkler systems, or any other plumbing system that is at risk of cross-contamination problems caused by backflow. They are one of the few valves that do not require manual interaction to function. Since check valves only serve one function, which is to ensure the direction of the water flow, you need to use other types of valves to have full-function pipe systems.
Hose Bibs
Hose bibs are essential outdoor plumbing fixtures that provide access to water for outdoor tasks such as watering or cleaning the garden. They are typically installed outside of your home and connected to the main water supply to allow a garden hose to be connected for outdoor projects. Hose bibs are a type of specialized application of ball valve design for outdoor settings.
Although hose bibs are designed to be exposed to exterior usage, freezing might be a huge concern under extreme climates. Therefore, frost-proof has been developed. Unlike regular hose bibs, this kind of hose has a long stem that extends into the house. This helps prevent water from freezing inside the faucet and prevents potential damage in cold weather.
Although this frost-free design has made the hose more durable, the installation might be challenging for those who are not familiar with these valve types. Still, we recommend using the frost-free hose bibs if you live in areas where freezing temperatures are a concern.
Conclusion
Understanding the different types of valves and their uses is crucial for any plumbing project. We’ve just included the five main types used in the plumbing industry nowadays; there is still a lot more to discover.
At PlumbingSell, we offer a wide range of high-quality valves. Whether you are looking for valves for a residential or industrial project, we have the right valve for your system to operate efficiently. Explore our collection and find out more about valves today!
