All About Valves
Different types of valves are used in plumbing systems to regulate and control water flow, and each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Knowing which type would be best for a specific household’s needs is essential. Fortunately, this article will discuss some of the most common valve types.
Gate valves
Gate valves are the most common type of valve. They regulate the water flow by raising or lowering an internal gate using a twist-type lever or knob. Gate valves must be fully open (allowing full flow) or fully closed (preventing full flow). Never use a gate valve to regulate the flow volume since that will shorten their lifespan as they are not meant for that.
Globe valves
In contrast to gate valves, globe valves regulate or throttle water flow in plumbing applications. Internal design characteristics include a stopper on the end of a valve stem. The stopper is raised and lowered by the twist knob on the valve. Globe valves help control flow and are frequently used in outdoor faucets.
Ball valves
Similar to gate valves, ball valves are intended to be all-or-nothing valves. They should be fully open to enable full flow or completely closed to halt all water flow. Technically, these valves contain a ball with a hole in the center attached to an outside lever-type handle. The valve is open when the handle is parallel to the water supply line.
Butterfly valves
Butterfly valves are generally utilized in industrial applications and are seldom encountered in home plumbing systems. These valves resemble ball valves on the outside, as they feature a lever-style handle that opens and shuts the valve. Internally, the design employs a rotating metal disc to control water flow.
Fixture shutoff valves
Fixture shutoff valves are tiny valves with twist handles or knobs on them. They are used to regulate water flow to specific plumbing devices such as faucets and toilets. Cutoff valves allow repairs to a faucet or other fixture without turning off the water to the entire house at the main shutoff valve.
Check valves
A check valve is utilized to prevent water from flowing in the other way. Most varieties have no control handles, as they are not operable. Different inner mechanisms, such as ball-check and diaphragm-check designs, can be used in check valves.
Pressure-reducing valves
Installing water pressure-reducing valves can reduce the overall water pressure in a plumbing system. High-pressure water from the municipal supply can affect homes where this valve is typically seen. Pressure reduction valves slow down rather than opening or closing the water flow.
When deciding which valve is the right one for you, a good solution is to contact a professional service. A professional can determine the intensity of the water flow and choose the valve that would work the best.
Call Adaven Plumbing at 702-766-3320 for affordable and lasting sewer cleaning and repair, gas lines, shower valves and trim, pressure regulators, and preventative maintenance solutions.
