Pipe gap needed for a full bore 22mm ball valve

Nov 14, 2021 Last reply: 4 years ago 18 Replies

It's leaky tap time again and I still have a stuck hot water gate valve in the airing cupboard.



Does anyone know what gap is needed between the ends of the two existing bits of 22mm pipe ?. In other words, assume a ball valve is fitted with both pipes fully inserted and you have Xray vision that sees through the valve body, what would be the distance between the ends of the pipes ?.



Will this be same as it is for the existing gate valve ?.


Ball valves are typically a bit longer than the cheap and nasty gate valves. The first issue is whether you have enough "flex" to get the old gate valve out just by undoing the compression fittings.

But there are various tricks for changing tap washers without draining down hot water, for example fitting a bung in the feed from the cold header tank to the hot water cylinder.

Go to a shop like Wickes with a tape measure, find a ball valve and measure it. You might get away with buying it and then taking it back if it does not fit.

I used these

formatting link
replace all of my gate valves. Have got excellent reviews on Screwfix website. Suitable for gas as well. Lot cheaper than the Pegler ones. Can't help on dimensions, mine all fitted now. If link does't work Screwfix part number is 30584

+1 for these, I now have them all over the place to let me isolate bits of the CH and DHW, also I have two in my hall, one (blue) on the rising main and another (yellow) on the gas, both being more accessible and easier to use than the main isolation valves.

20 mile round trip to Wickes though, but luckily Toolstattion and Screwfix have opened outlets in the next village, so only a 10 mile round trip to them.

I've got to the age when you plan ahead before going upstairs to get anything and the same goes for car usage.:-)

I find the Screwfix "Click and collect" system very useful.

Can't you have things delivered? Anything ordered to surplus can be taken back at your convenience.

think there is a minumum order value of £50 for screwfix and £25 for Toolstation.....

Toolstation offer a similar service

Is there a "Click and someone else collects it" facility :-)

Yes, my wife and children regularly collect stuff that I've ordered. :-) Both Screwfix and Toolstation are pretty relaxed about it, though I've never used Click and Collect for anything costing more than a tenner or so.

I have always been of the opinion that a "Click and someone else collects" is the only time it is useful. I.e. when the person collecting knows very little about the product, whereas for me it doesn't make any sense. If their website shows a product in stock at a particular location, then you simply go there and buy it, surely ?. If it isn't there you should be able to twist their arms and get a discount and/or free delivery when it is back in stock.

During lockdown "Click & collect" was the only ay to get things. I live about 20 minutes from Screwfix. If I see there's only one in stock, it makes sense for me to buy online otherwise, someone else might have bought it before |I geb there,

Hmm.. It does give some reassurance when quoted stocks are low and the Wickes computer occasionally lies! Can save a lot of searching when you buy paint from such as Homebase:-)

  • it's unrealistic to expect stock control to be 100% accurate.

Click and collect means that it is quicker when you pick up and, more importantly, they've not sold it to someone else between you checking stock and getting there.

NO! because firstly, you don't have to hang around while they make up the order, but mainly because you find out exactly what they have in stock, and so can research and select an alternative at your leisure without holding up the queue behind you. And placing the order stops them selling the last item to anyone else.

Minimum order *for free delivery*

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required