Valves are an essential part of any home’s plumbing system. They play a critical role in controlling the water that runs throughout your house. Understanding the types of plumbing valves in your home can help you quickly identify plumbing troubles and stay on top of home maintenance.
What is A Plumbing Valve?
You probably know more about plumbing valves than you think. Most people easily use plumbing valves every day without even realizing it! Plumbing valves are a device that connects to your home’s water pipes. The primary function of a plumbing valve is to slow or stop the flow of water inside a pipe. They control water flow by regulating water pressure inside a pipe. Plumbing valves can be made of various materials such as plastic, brass, cast iron, stainless steel, or galvanized pipe.
Types Of Valves In Home Plumbing
Some plumbing valves are more common than others. These are the most common plumbing valves you’ll find inside a home:
- Ball Valve: This is probably the most common plumbing valve used in homes. Ball valves have a lever and are typically used to control a home’s main water line. When you move the lever, a ball rotates in the valve to completely block or control the flow of water.
- Gate Valve: If you have an outdoor hose hookup, you’re probably familiar with a gate valve. The name comes from the gate-like blocker that slides down to control the water stream. Gate valves allow you to reduce the water flow or completely turn it off.
- Fixture Shut-off Valve: Also called stop valves, fixtures shut-off valves can be angled or straight. They are often hooked up to small appliances and fixtures so that you can control the flow of water. These valves allow you to repair your plumbing without shutting off the water supply for your entire house. Several common home appliances use shut-off valves, including toilets, faucets, showers, water heaters, and more.
- Check Valve: Once your water has been sent in one direction, you don’t want it coming back. Check valves control the direction of water flow using water pressure. When you pump water into a pipe, the valve opens, allowing water to move freely. When you stop pumping, the weight of the water trying to move backward forces the valve to close. Check valves are commonly used for HVAC systems.
- Butterfly Valve: This valve gets its name from the rotating disc, called a butterfly, that rotates to control water flow through a pipe. Two advantages of butterfly valves are their low cost and small size.
Get A Free Estimate on Your Plumbing Valves
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 repairing or replacing your home’s plumbing valves.