When it comes to plumbing systems, shut-off valves play a crucial role in safely stopping or continuing the flow to fixtures and appliances. Either residential or commercial plumbing systems have a variety of water shut-off valves. A shut-off valve is a valve used to regulate or shut off water, which turns off water in specific areas or your entire home when maintenance or repair are required.
Whether you are about to start a new plumbing project or looking to replace a broken valve, you need to know what a shut-off valve actually is, how it works, the common types of shut-off valves and how to choose the right one. PlumbingSell offers a wide selection of shut-off valves with different materials, types and more. In this article, we’ll help you understand more about the water shut-off valves in your house so you can choose the proper ones for your project.
Table of Contents
What is a Shut-Off Valve?
As the name suggests, a water shut-off valve is an essential plumbing device used to regulate or shut off water in residential and commercial plumbing systems. It is one of the most widely used fittings in the plumbing system. Water shut-off valves can stop or control both individual fixture water flow, such as the toilet and sink shut-off valves, and the home’s entire water system. This has made the water shut-off valve in the house an essential component for maintenance, repairs, and emergencies.
Shut-off valves come in various types and materials due to their different functions and applications. The most commonly used ones in residential plumbing systems are ball valves, gate valves, angled valves, and more. Each type of shut-off valve is designed for different uses; for instance, the toilet shut-off valve type could be different from the sink shut-off valve type. You’ll need to know which type of valves to use in the specific area and how to shut them off when maintenance is required.
Why Is the Shut-Off Valve crucial for the plumbing system?
The shut-off valve is a crucial part of any plumbing application. It allows control over water flow to help make future maintenance easier. In emergency conditions like leaks, burst pipes or overflowing fixtures, shutting off the water supply quickly can prevent further damage. The main water shut-off valve in the house could help control the entire water supply. It is usually located near the water meter, in a basement or outside the home.
You could also find individual shut-off valves for different fixtures and connections in the plumbing system. For instance, shut-off valves under the sink are generally used to control kitchen appliances like dishwashers and water heaters. These individual shut-off valves allow better control over specific areas, making it easy to fix or replace fixtures without shutting off the whole house’s water supply.
The water shut-off valve in a house is essential for controlling water flow in a plumbing system. By using the main water shut-off valve and individual shut-off valves, you can easily control plumbing applications, make maintenance easier and even reduce utility costs.
Main water shut-off valve types
While the shut-off valve performs the same essential functions, there are various designs for main water shut-off valve types. PlumbingSell provides a wide selection of shut-off valves.
Ball Valve
Ball valve is the most common type of valve used as a water shut-off valve. They are large metal valves designed with lever handles for quick turning off the water. Inside the valve, there is a small rotating ball with a hole through the middle, which aligns with the water flow; the ball will rotate by 90 degrees to open and close the water flow when the valve’s handle is used.
Ball valves are designed to perform only open or closed functions, which makes them the perfect choice for the main water line. They can turn off the flow of water easily and smoothly. Ball valves are also a durable and budget-friendly option for the plumbing system.
Angled Fixture Shut-off Valve
Angled fixture shut-off valves are another common valve type found in plumbing systems. They are normally seen near sink faucets, toilets, dishwashers and other types of fixtures that require water to run through. Angled fixture shut-off valves are usually used to change the direction of water flow by 90 degrees to redirect the water supply to connect to a fixture.
Angled fixture shut-off valves are also used to redirect water flow for small repairs or fixture replacement. By redirecting the water flow in a certain area, you will be able to use the rest of the water line as normal instead of having to shut off the entire water system. Although they are durable and capable of closing the pipes in a specific area, angled fixture shut-off valves could be a bit tricky to install.
Straight Fixture Shut-off Valve
Similar to an angled fixture shut-off valve, a straight fixture shut-off valve is also a type of valve used for controlling water flow for small fixtures. It is capable of shutting off the water supply in a specific area or fixture without shutting down the whole water supply.
Straight fixture shut-off valves are designed specifically for pipes that run in a straight line from the main water supply to the fixture. The water flows in and out in the same direction, which makes them suitable for supply lines that do not require a change of angles.
Compression Valve
A compression valve is another great option for plumbing systems that require quick shut-off of the water supply. It is commonly used in residential plumbing to connect main water supply lines to individual fixtures like sinks, toilets and others.
In a compression shut-off valve, a brass ring is pushed between the valve and the pipes with a compression nut. When the compression ring is tightened, a tight seal is formed to prevent leaks without the requirement of gluing or soldering. Compression valves are popular because they provide a secure, leak-free seal without requiring soldering, making their installation quite easy.
How to Choose the right Shut-Off Valves
Shut-off valves are among the most important components of plumbing systems, so it is crucial to select the most suitable one for your applications. There are various main water shut-off valve types available, so selecting the right one could be a bit hard. The main factors to consider are pipe material and size, connection type, installation location, water flow needs and any other specific plumbing demands.
For the main water shut-off valve type, we recommend using a ball valve for durability and quick shut-off. For individual fixtures like shut-off valves under sinks, angle or straight fixture shut-off valves will be the best option. For the water supply line that runs directly in line with the fixture, straight shut-off valves work the best, while angled shut-off fixture valves are ideal when the supply lines need a 90-degree turn.
It’s also essential to match the water shut-off valve in a house with the pipe type. For example, you could use compression valves for copper pipes or push-fit valves for PEX pipes. There are various materials like brass and copper for longevity and plastic valves for cost-efficiency. By selecting the correct shut-off valve for your application, you can improve water control, simplify future maintenance and prevent costly plumbing issues.
Conclusion
Shut-off valves are essential components of any plumbing system. They allow both homeowners and professional plumbers to control water flow, perform maintenance easily and prevent further damage caused by leaks or emergencies. Choosing the right type of shut-off valves in your house will ensure efficient water management and system longevity. Explore PlumbingSell’s wide range of water shut-off valves to find the perfect fit for your plumbing project. If you have any further concerns, feel free to get in touch with us today!
