Water Line Valve Replacement and Valve Repair
Valves are crucial to the control of water flow or gas in any home or office. Having valves functional and operating efficiently will undoubtedly impact the entire plumbing system. However, valves are one of the most neglected devices at home – they can go for years without being used or maintained. And during that time, the seals may have worn out, or it becomes impossible to turn the valve.
A faulty valve can cause a lot of inconveniences, wastage, or put your home at risk of uncontrolled gas or water flow. At a time like this, you need to hire a professional plumber for valve repair or valve replacement.
Different Types of Plumbing Valves Systems
Valves come in a wide array of designs for practical functionality and control. The primary purpose of a valve is control and to avert crisis. There are different types of valves used in a plumbing system. Here are the common types of valves.
Gate Valves
A gate valve is a full-way type that is inserted into a pipe to control or stop the flow of water. It is one of the most commonly used types of the valve in plumbing applications. It controls the water flow by lowering or raising an internal gate through the knob or twist-type handle on the top of the valve. Gate valves should be used to either fully open or fully close the pipeline. They are not meant to control the volume of water; they will wear out fast.
Ball Valves
Ball valves are designed to regulate the flow of water. They are more reliable than other types of valves. The design of ball valves used a cored, rotating ball to control flow. They have a low-wear operation and best suited for full-flow applications. They are durable and have less trouble or maintenance needs.
Globe Valves
The design of globe valves involves the use of a stopper that is lowered on the baffle to block water flow. The valve restricts the flow and is best for throttling. It is installed for regular control of water flow. Globe valves are usually installed in outdoor faucets.
Butterfly Valves
They are similar to ball valves. The interior design of this type of valve uses a metal disk that rotates to control the water flow. Butterfly valves control the volume of flow, but the internal gasket can cause maintenance issues.
Stop Valves
Stop valves are also known as fixtures shut-off valves, and they have small twist knobs or handles. They are usually found under the sink, behind the toilet, etc. They offer secure shut-off mechanism for supplies.
Check Valves
These are special valves that ensure that after water flows in only one direction and prevent flow in the opposite direction. They are primarily back-flow preventers like those found on outdoor faucets and lawn sprinklers. Their inner design can use the diaphragm check or ball check mechanism.
Pressure-Reducing Valves
These are valves that are Installed to regulate the overall water pressure to the desired limit. The internal design features a diaphragm and a spring that is set to a particular threshold. Pressure reducing valves are designed to throttle down water flow and reduce water pressure and not to open or close the water flow.
Causes of Damages to Valves
Valves are crucial to the efficient running and control of the plumbing system. Meanwhile, valves fail due to the following reasons:
- Improper valve Installation and maintenance
- Running under harsh weather or temperatures
- Debris in the pipeline
- Worn seat seals and elastomers.
Location of Residential Valves
Different areas in the home require the use of water valves. It is essential to have the right valves used in various areas of the home. Below are different areas and valves that are most suitable in a building from the experiences of our Calgary Plumbers.
Hot Water Tank Valves
The water heater needs a shut-off valve to regulate the water flow into the hot water tank. Best Hot Water Tank Replacement Services Calgary.
Shower and Bathtub Valves
The type of valves found in the bathroom for both shower and tub is either pressure-balancing valves or thermostatic valves. These ensure that water run at a consistent pressure. Urban Piping’s clogged bathtub Calgary plumbers will make short work of any clog in your home.
Under the Sink Valves
These are valves located under the sinks. They are stop-valves to control water flow coming from the water utility. They are found behind the toilets and under sinks.
Main Water Pipe Valves
The type of valve used for the main water pipe is the gate valve. They are not designed to control water pressure; they will get damaged faster.
Outside Faucet Valves
Check valves or shut-off valves are installed in outside faucets to prevent back-flow.
Valve Replacement and Valve Repair
There is a need to replace the valve regularly to guarantee optimum operation and safety. As soon as you notice signs of problems with your valve, contact a professional plumber to replace them. Failure to replace damaged valves will cause the ultimate system failure and a mishap in the home.
Valve replacement should be carried out by professionals due to the intricacies involved. It may seem easy to replace water valves by following DIY lessons online. However, you would do yourself a lot of good by hiring a professional plumber.
When a control valve is to be replaced, certain factors should be considered, such as the size, valve type, and the condition of the existing valve. Depending on the state of the existing valve, it may call for a repair instead of replacement. Meanwhile, only a professional can tell if a water valve can be repaired.
Valve repair can be done only when a component of the valve is damaged. Some parts can leak or break, such as the nuts and bolts holding the components, the stem, the valve packing, and the operating nut. The defective component can be repaired to save cost.
Valve repair or replacement can take place without having to shut down the entire plumbing system in a building. However, valve repair or replacement may not affect the material costs because a new valve will become unusable due to its parts being used to repair an existing defective valve.
Hire Urban Piping
When your water valve or gas valve becomes defective, contact Urban Piping for excellent valve repair and valve replacement. We are a licensed plumbing company with several years of experience. We deliver the best services according to the highest industry standard. Contact us today; we assure you of the best service possible.
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