Hi All,
The fresh water values under my kitchen sink
The cold one leaks pretty bad out the stem when shut off and the hot water is frozen on. I got them from Ace Hardware. Apparently China's best.
Anyone know of an industrial strength value I can replace them with that is either American, Japanese, or German made? Ones that I will never have to change again?
Many thanks,
-T
Made in USA
Give a farm supply store like Tractor Supply a look. They have valves made for sprayers. I don't know if the valve would be small enough for house use though.
The frozen one is likely due to hard water, which will generally precipitate more calcium than the cold water side. Leaving valves slightly closed will generally prevent the calcium deposits from freezing the action. It's also a good idea to exercise the valves annually to break free any deposits.
Ball valves (aka quarter-turn) are the better choice. And leaving aside your baseless accusations (elided), choosing a reputable manufacturer (e.g. brass-craft) will ensure quality.
Thank you!
Now to figure out what the supply side pipe is.
1/2" I think. Might be fine pitch.If the dems ban propane, Mexico will have something else to smuggle in, besides Freon.
I've lived in my home for 43 years. The plumbers, not I, have always replaced old valves, inside the home, with ball valves. None of those have leaked, so far, and FWIW.
How can you tell if they are "ball valves"?
"Often used in tight spaces, these valves shut off water with a quarter turn of the handle. They are also known as water supply stops."
That's a pretty good clue.
The *$*#ing values that I currently have are 1/4 turn !!!! China's best! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
I thought ball valves were always quarter-turn (90 degrees) rather than multiple turn like the others.
Yes, the others are called gate valves, although for most people outside the trade, that is probably a retronym, a word coined later when something similar but different was created. At least I had never heard the term until ball valves were invented.
Like this oen at mcmaster, 1/4 turn.
Gate valves are often use when throttling is needed. In residential plumbing, the faucet does that job.
Gate valves, far as I know, all use a "guillotine". I agree they can become a problem.
All the ball valves I have seen are 1/4 turn. I use them for about anything but a final faucet valve.
Almost all the valves when I moved in here were gate valves - multiple turn, have a replaceable disc washer (a maintenance item). Gate valves are good for throttling.
One handle (hot + cold) valves have a more complicated 'cartridge'. What little I have seen inside is that they are a little like a ball valve. Some 2 separate handle faucet valves have a cartridge now.
Well, you didn't ask if they were GOOD ball valves. Gemini valves are made in New Hampshire. They're pricey if you can even find them. Gresham's Law applies to more than currency. Joe Sixpack goes to Home Depot and sees a $5 valve and a $30 valve. Which one is going home with him?
They don't use the sphere that gives the ball valve its name but they're basically a cylinder with an aperture. Mine are two separate handles with cartridges after I replaced the old gate valve fixtures. Compared to repacking stems, touching up the seats, and so forth, cartridges are a snap to replace.
Note: you can install the cartridge so either turning the handle clockwise or counterclockwise increases the flow. If there is a convention my sinks don't follow it.
ISTM that the common old style kitchen, bath, outdoor spigot, etc with a stem and rubber washer are commonly called "globe" valves.
"Gate" valves have a stem, but do not have a rubber seal. Commonly used as whole-house shutoffs
Ball (aka Cone) valves are all metal with a 1/4 turn handle. Commonly used as a fixture (sink, bath, toilet) shutoff
Cartridges are generally used in new, original fixture; or to replace the stem and washer in old globe valves
See
Chuckle. I bought it from Ace, which is known for stocking good stuff. Should have known better. Once, shame on them; twice shame on me. China's best.
I intended to say globe - with washer - instead of gate. Surprising what can be missed when proofreading.
In globe valves the water changes direction at least twice and at the shut-off point goes through an opening likely smaller that the pipe size.
Gate valves are straight through and full diameter - better for whole-house shutoffs, as you said.
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