Service valves

[The Medway Handyman]

Is there anything in the building regs about service valves

being fitted as standard on new/recent builds?

If not there should be, saves so much time,

[Dave Plowman (News)]

being fitted as standard on new/recent builds?

I hope not - they slow the flow considerably.

Full bore are a better, although more expensive, solution.

[Roger Mills]

being fitted as standard on new/recent builds?

They're a good idea in principle but, as far as I know, not mandatory.

But they're *only* a good idea if you use *decent* ones which actually

*work*! I've had lots of trouble with this cheap rubbish from Screwfix - some which don't turn off even though the screw turns, and some which pee water out round the screw when you turn it. Of course, they work when you first install them - it's when you come to turn them off a couple of years later that they fail!

[John Stumbles]

I think there's something somewhere - possibly in the British Standards rather than Building Regs. I couldn't tell you where but it's probably one of the standards that's more generally about workmanship[1] in hot & cold water supply systems.

[1] I suppose that ought to be workpersonship

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Don't have that problem in this part of London. Probably due to all the mains leaks.

[Andrew Gabriel]

Oh, that's got me worried. I've fitted quite a number of them over the years, but haven't had any cause yet to turn them off once the installation was all finished. I've got a large bag of them and I can't recall where I got it, but probably either BES or Wickes. So far they've been OK.

Only plumbing failues I can think of in recent years are the valve on my filling loop -- the knob snapped off after about

5 years (which was only the 3rd topping up). Also (different heating system) the isolating valves either side of a pump have failed twice in 8 years (started leaking). The valves allow you to change the pump without draining down. The pump has never failed, but I've had to drain down twice to replace the sodding valves!

[<me9]

Isn't it in what used to be the water bylaws?

[Ed Sirett]

Yes, IIRC, that a cut off is required by the water regs.

[David Hansen]

On 07 Jun 2008 20:59:21 GMT someone who may be [e-mail] (Andrew Gabriel) wrote this:-

It is a good idea to operate all valves every 6-12 months. This makes it highly likely that they will operate when required.

[Arfa Daily]

I do too. Trouble is, when only partially open on a high pressure supply, they do kick up a bit of noise.

Arfa

[John]

Dave - look at "Flow Regulator Ball Valves" - surely a better fix than partially closing the valve:

Scroll about 3/4 down

[John]

See also this:

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Will they *increase* the mains pressure/flow? ;-)

[John Stumbles]

's'true. I was going to mention that. Actually I usually tune it for a compromise between ideal flow and not too much noise.

[John]

Dave - I don't understand your point. Flow and Pressure are related - but reducing a flow does not reduce static pressure.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Read this entire post again - carefully. From the very top.

[John]

Ah - John Stumbles would like to reduce the pressure - you would like more!