To complement the information gathering about valves used in plumbing :- Are gate valves supposed to fully isolate or just vary flow ? The obviously close down pretty small but do they close watertight ? Simon.
When they are brand new and shiny, probably. After a while in service, probably not. I have never had one that worked after a year, even with monthly maintenance like opening and closing.
Is that true for domestic gate valves? I thought the main use of a (domestic) gate valve was throttling, since they cannot be relied on for isolating ! Simon.
If used for throttling they wear quicker particularly with high pressure hot due to cavitation. I wouldn't rely on gate valves for anything when there are better (and usually cheaper) alternatives.
Yep, I've never been inclined to use one ! Simon.
They may close off completely when new - but as soon as any crud deposits in the bottom of the gate they don't tend to seal properly.
Their other party trick is the spindle breaking off internally, leaving a knob that turns and nothing actually happens - it stays open or closed
- wherever it was left when it broke.
I an industrial application, you fit them in a position so crud doesn't collect.
Baz
Can't see how you can avoid it when used on fresh water applications in a hard water area. Even if they don't fail to seal they can still break
- especially if not used regularly.
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