Discover the Six Best Types of Plumbing Valves

What is Plumbing Valve?

A valve is a device that directs, regulates, and controls fluid flow by closing, opening, or partially obstructing fluid flow. It might sound somehow complicated, but to simplify it, a valve is a mechanical device used to control fluid pressure and flow within a process or a system. That is why it valves a crucial part in most plumbing projects. 

Valves can range from ordinary valves mostly located near a water meter to individual fixture shutoff valves located on the feed faucets’ supply lines. It varies in size; however, the materials used for this item are also taken into consideration. Selecting the best valve suitable for a plumbing system is not the only thing plumbers are focusing on. Like every professional laborer, they manage tasks and various plumbing projects and the only way to fully supervise the project is to invest in advanced project management tools.

Best Types of Plumbing Valves

Most of the valves used today are available in different materials, including brass, bronze, and PVC plastic. Make sure to select the type of pipe that is specifically used for plumbing systems. Here are the seven types of plumbing types.

1. Globe Valve

Globe valve is commonly used to start, regulate, and stop the flow of fluids. This type of valve is explicitly used for systems where leak tightness is necessary, and flow control is highly-suggested. Globe valve can provide better shut off compare to gate valves. These valves are installed when the water flow must be regulated or needed some immediate adjustments. The interior design features of this valve contain a stopper on both ends. 

Because glove valves are often suitable for regulating flow, they are preferably used for outdoor faucets or other similar utility faucets. Y types, Z types, and Angle types are some typical sorts of globe valves. Also, in terms of the price, it can be costly, depending on the materials used. 

2. Gate Valve

Among the most typically used valves when it comes to plumbing applications, gate valves are the leading option. This type of valve controls the flow of water by lowering and raising a particular internal gate using a twist-type knob or handle. The knob is located at the top of the valve, and it must never be used to control the flow volume. Take note that these plumbing valves are designed to be completely open and closed. Opening it lets a full flow impact, and closing it is to stop the flow entirely.

There are five standard gate valves available for use today:

· Flexible wedge gate valve

· Solid wedge gate valve

· Rising Stem valve and OS & Y Gate valve

· Parallel disks valve or Split wedge

3. Butterfly Valve

Butterfly valves have a mere resemblance to ball valves because they both have a lever-type handle that closes and opens the valve itself. The design utilizes a metal disc that switches the flow of water. The water is at the center of the valve, flowing around the disc, and the flow is somewhat reduced even though the valve is fully open. Compare to ball valves. A butterfly valve can accurately adjust the volume of the flow. 

One noticeable drawback of a butterfly valve is its gasket inside. It can cause some maintenance issues after a couple of years.

4. Check Valve

Check valves are typically used for the flow control in water tanks and can operate automatically. It was made to keep water from flowing in one direction. A non-return valve is another term used for the check valve because it can prevent back-flow within the piping system. Most of these valves are spring-loaded for faster operations. Here are some common types of a check valve:

· Piston check valve – spring and piston checks cease a reversing flow using a spring-loaded plunger.

· Swing check valve – wafer and swing checks often cease a reversing flow within a flap. The flaps swing onto a seat. For swing checks, it is used only for a forwarding flow; either it is vertical or horizontal upward. 

· Ball check valve – this check valve has a ball that often slides directly into a hole as the flow tends to be slower. A ball-check is highly suggested for semi-fluids like pulp or effluent.

5. Needle Valve

These valves are quite more similar to a globe valve in terms of design. However, the only significant difference between these two valves is the sharp needle-like disk. This type of valve is designed to provide precise and detailed control of flow within piping systems with a smaller diameter. The name of this valve is derived from its sharp and pointed conical disc and matching seats.

The closing shaft of this valve functions as a plug with small openings. Ideally, it is used more for regulating the flow of water. The precision, design and stability of the valve provide an excellent seal despite the immense contrasts between pressures. It is used as a standard bypass to the ball valve for a hydraulic sector before turbines.

6. Pressure-Reducing Valve

In order to minimize the total water pressure in the plumbing system, water pressure-reducing valves are preferably installed. The valve itself has a diaphragm and spring adjusted to a particular limit, depending on water pressure. It is also not used to close or open the water flow but rather adjust it to lessen overall water pressure. 

These valves are generally used in residential settings that often received high-pressure water directly from the municipal water supply. The municipal water supply pressure is sufficient to destruct a residential plumbing system and even home appliances.