Shut-off valves are an important part of your home’s plumbing system. They’re a simple but crucial tool that helps you control your house’s water flow and easily make repairs. If you’ve never heard of them, now is the time to learn about the different shut-off valve types and where to find them.
What are Shut-Off Valves?
Shut-off valves are an essential plumbing fixture that allows you to separate your home’s main water lines and easily control water flow to different parts of your house. They make it easy to work on any leaks or other plumbing problems without having to turn off your home’s main water line. With shut-off valves, you can also control water flow to different appliances and fixtures in your house.
How do Shut-Off Valves Work?
Shut-off valves work by controlling water flow through full or partial blocking. The way that a shut-off valve controls water depends on the valve you use.
- Stop valves work by moving a stopper up and down.
- Ball valves have a lever that makes them easy to use. They’re most commonly used for a home’s main water line. When you move the lever, a ball rotates in the valve to completely block the flow of water.
- Gate valves give you more freedom to control water flow. You can reduce the flow of water or completely turn it off. If you have an outdoor hose spigot, you may have used a gate valve.
- Fixture shut-off valves can be angled or straight. These shut-off valves are hooked up to small appliances and fixtures so that you can easily make repairs without interrupting water flow to the rest of your house.
What are the Shut-Off Valve Types?
Shut-off valves let you turn off the water flow to one appliance so that you can work on it without cutting off all the water to your house. Some common shut-off valves are hooked up to:
- Toilets
- Faucets
- Water Heaters
- Reverse Osmosis Systems
- Showers
- Dishwashers
Why do Shut-Off Valves Leak?
The average shut-off valve lasts about 10 years, but it can last longer with proper care. Still, old shut-off valves or ones that are poorly cared for are more prone to leaking, corrosion, and other damage. That is because shut-off valves are rarely used. Without frequent utilization, the washers inside the valves can harden. If this happens and you use a shut-off valve after a long time, the washer may not go back to the right place. The out-of-place washer is what causes a leak in your shut-off valve.
Get a Free Estimate on Your Shut-Off Valve Replacement
Phend Plumbing is your local plumbing specialist in the Phoenix Valley area. With offices in Mesa-Phoenix and Gilbert, Arizona, our family-owned business has years of experience helping homeowners and businesses with all their plumbing needs. We offer up-front pricing and fast, professional work. Give us a call at 480-388-6093 or contact us online to get a free estimate on your shut-off valve replacement.