Types Of Plumbing Valves

Valves in pipe lines are provided to control supply of water. They are used to stop supply when any repair is carried in pipe line. Valves are devices that control the flow of fluids and gases. Some are used to regulate the rate of flow, and others are used to stop it completely to prevent flooding or allow repairs to be made.

Valves are quite diverse and may be classified into a number of basic types. Valves may also be classified by how they are actuated. For instance the compression valves, disk valves, ball valves, cartridge valves and the repairing valves.

Compression or stem type faucet – This is a two-handle faucet design. With a single faucet, you can enjoy both hot and cold water as per the requirement. You can tell a stem faucet by the way it feels when you turn it off. One can feel a rubber washer being squeezed inside the faucet. Compression valves possess o- rings beneath the faucet’s stem that tend to wear and tear with time.

Different compression valves have different stem designs however all utilizes the neoprene washers. The only cause for a leaky valve is a damaged washer.

Then comes the cartridge valves that are also known as washer- less valves are operated by only one handle. This way these are different to the compression valves. Inside this valve a metal or plastic cylindrical cartridge is located. As you lift the handle, the valve stem raises and its holes align with the holes of the cartridge. On the other hand, as you twist the handle, cold and hot water mix and regulate water temperature.

Next are the disk valves and are also washers less. They are used mostly in single-handle kitchen sink faucets, and are identified by the cylinder located inside the faucet. The inlet hoses of the plumbing system allow hot and cold water to pass through the valves, while the outlet hole directs the water to pass through the valve spout.

Ball valves: these are referred to as washer- less valves and the used mostly in kitchens to handle the single handled sinks. Most ball valves have a cylindrical metal cap just below the handle. Tighten the cap if you find some leaks in the valve.

A leak in a washer or washer less faucet usually indicates that the working parts need replacing. One should not overlook the leaky valves and go for its repair or replacement as soon as possible.

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