Your Saskatoon home or business plumbing systems have various types of shut-off valves found at various points along the water pipes. These allow you to turn off the water during emergencies, or when you need to perform repairs or upgrades. Shutting off the water is often the first step of any plumbing project. Setting and turning off the appropriate water shut-off valve is, therefore, very important. In this article, we will learn about the different types of shut-off valves.
1/ Ball Valve
A ball valve is usually a metal valve utilizing a lever control to operate it. It is designed for immediate turnoff since the valve opens and closes fully with a short 1/4 turn of the lever control. This is the type of valve often found at the main water shut-off for the home or business.
2/ Gate Valve
A gate valve describes the mechanism by which the valve is opened and closed. To turn a gate valve on or off, a circular handle is turned to raise or lower a metal gate inside the valve body. When the valve is off, the barrier blocks the flow of the water.
3/ Globe Valve
From the outside, a globe valve resembles a gate valve, with a slightly bulbous metal torso. However, unlike a gate valve, a globe valve is designed to allow variable adjustment of water flow. Inside the valve, the stem operates a plunger with a washer or seal on the bottom; as the handle closes the valve, the piston moves down against the water flow port and partially closes it off.
4/ Angled Fixture Shut-Off Valves
Individual fixtures should all have some form in individual shutoff valves that operates the water to only those fixtures. This allows water to be shut off for plumbing repairs or the replacement of the fixture itself without interrupting water to other areas of the home or business. These fixture shutoff valves can have numerous variations. One that is very common is a small chrome valve with an oval-shaped handle with ribbed peripheries for control.
5/ Straight Fixture Shut-off Valves
A close relative of the angled fixture shutoff is a straight shut-off valve that operates exactly the same way but is intended for use where the water flow can run directly to the fixture. It’s very often used where a water pipe comes up out of the floor rather than out from the wall.
6/ Stop and Waste Valve (Frost-Free)
A stop and waste valve is a special irrigation fitting to help keep outside hose-bibbs valves from freezing in the winter. The stop and waste valve is turned on and off with a long shaft and when it is in the off position it will automatically drain any water in the line.
7/ Check Valves
The water moving through your plumbing pipes should only travel one way: from the main water supply pipe and out through a fixture, or from draining a fixture to the sewer main. To assure a one-way flow in the event of a cross-connection, a check valve is necessary.
8/ Butterfly Valves
Butterfly valves are not particularly beautiful ( it’s pretty disappointing, we know ). In point, they seem like any other shut-off valve. The butterfly moniker refers instead to the mechanism inside. Virtually, a disc that rotates when the handle turns; this of course means that flow is reduced through the valve.
9/ Diaphragm Valve
A diaphragm valve is similar to a globe valve. It has a wheel or knob that moves an element in the valve fitting, which limits the flow of the water. In a diaphragm valve, the element is a diaphragm that settles down over a saddle, thus stopping water flow.
10/ Pressure Balanced Valve
Pressure-poised valves are used to maintain a constant temperature of the water in residential showers or bathtubs. A diaphragm or swing-check within the valve allows the operator to set the mixing of hot and cold water. Nonetheless, this is what happens in the event of a pressure drop of cold water ( for instance, if a toilet nearby is flushed ). The diaphragm or swing-check will shift to limit an excess amount of hot water that goes to that fixture. These are found in domestic lavatories and showers to prevent accidental scalding.
11/ Zone Valve
Zone valves are utilized in hydronic heating and cooling systems to control the flow of water or steam. For instance, they may be provided in different areas, different floorings, or different sections of the system. Each valve can have individual authority over the heating or cooling. In most installations, area valves are electrically operated and are connected to a thermostat so that an automated switch is achieved.
12/ Locking Valve.
Almost any type of valve can be locked to avoid accidental or intentional opening or closing. However, valves with lever-type manage to allow for more secure locking control. Locking valves specify aligning loopholes that a lock is likely to be extended through to stop the rotation of the handle. There are also fastenings designed to be attached to non-locking valves to prevent adjustment.
13/ Solenoid Valve
Solenoid valves are electrically operated shut-off valves that can offer precise on/off positions via an automation structure. Solenoid valves are typically utilized where automation controls in the plumbing or HVAC system are required. Another common use is in irrigation, where a computer controls the watering stages or the amount of water to be applied.
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