If You Flow Right Plumbing Will Be A Snap!

When it comes to installing a main water shut off in your home there are three choices. It's important that you choose the right valve for the task at hand. If you flow right plumbing will be a snap!

So let's start with the three choices. Of the three valve choices you have none are bad choices. You could class them as good to better and all have a purpose in the plumbing world. All three styles are able to handle water, oil, or even air flow if they have the WOG stamp and almost all of these valves have the stamps.

1. Stop Valves Stop valves are closed by a rubber gasket being screwed down onto the seat located in the middle of the valve. This is a great choice for shutoffs like sinks or toilets because it's small and takes up little room. You need to orientate the valve in the right direction for the flow which will ensure the water flows against the bottom rubber gasket.

This is actually the most common valve used in the home. They don't regulate the flow of water instead the stop it. So in an emergency, let's say you broke a line, you can quickly shut the water off reducing the amount of damage that can occur. Stop valves are sometimes called sweat stops or compression stops because they are connected with a compression fitting.

2. Gate Valves Gate valves are named full flow valves because there is a direct path that is unobstructed that flows right through the middle of the valve. A wedge shaped brass gate is lowered with a screw handle. This style of valve is either completely open or completely closed because otherwise the metal will wear from the water running through it and the valve will fail when you most need it.

They get their name because of the gate like disk that slides across the water flow. Gate valves are either non rising stem valves or rising stem valves.

3. Ball Valves Ball valves are a finely machined stainless steel ball that has a center hole that has been drilled into it. It pivots on plastic bushings. Just like the gate valve it is a full flow valve. The hard steel allows the valve to be partially open without causing it to wear out. However this style does require a little more room and can be difficult to mount up against a wall.

Ball valves should be used to control water in and out of a pump, for emergency shut offs, and anywhere you want to control the flow of water.

It is very important that you understand the three valve types then you can pick the one that is right for you. There is not right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing valves only good or better.

Of course your plumbing should be up to code and if you don't understand something it is important to ask a professional to ensure you are doing it correctly and safely. Remember if you flow right plumbing is never a problem.