When an apartment is being repaired or replaced with water supply and heating systems, there is a need to purchase and install various taps and valves. Not only the ease of use, but also the safety of neighbors living below depends on how high-quality the choice of these elements is, because there is always the possibility of flooding.
To avoid mistakes and unnecessary costs, you first need to understand the design of these plumbing devices. They all perform a specific function, for example, ball valves for water supply systems are responsible for the supply of water and its regulation in the kitchen and bathroom.
Features of ball valves
Today, ball valves are considered the most reliable and common type used to regulate water supply systems. This explains their widespread use. They are also used in oil pipelines, gas pipelines and water pipelines for various purposes. Due to their versatility, they are gradually replacing types of valves such as cylindrical and conical valves, as well as wedge-shaped valves.
The base of the ball valve consists of a rotating element with a 90-degree rotation, and the ball itself acts as a fitting that cuts off the flow of water. If you turn the handle, the working mechanism will move. Accordingly, the hole will shift, as a result, the water supply will stop. This device has found application in mixers for supplying hot and cold water, as well as in the heating system of multi-storey buildings.
Modern ball valves provide reliable operation for many years, especially if they are branded products.
Thanks to the emergence of new technologies, modern materials and alloys, ball devices, combining simplicity and reliability, have become the most popular.
Valve or shut-off valve
The valve can be called the brother of the gate valve. The device is activated by turning the flywheel, which transmits an impulse to the spindle, which begins to move forward and at the other end the spool, equipped with a gasket, closes. If the valve closes, then reaching the lower position, it rests against the seat, as a result of which the liquid is blocked (locked). This is where the name comes from - shut-off valve. Shut-off valves are widely used in water and fuel systems. They are shut-off and regulating and are presented in a wide variety of appearance and design. The service life varies from 20 to 30 years due to the quality of materials and operating characteristics. Wear occurs when 8 thousand closed-open cycles have been completed.
The devices also have their advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are determined by its operational characteristics:
- smooth regulation of water flow
- maintainability (replacement of the spool gasket or stuffing box gasket with its tightening);
- the presence of a smaller number of rubbing parts, which provides the valve with an increase in service life;
- the use of valves when regulating the flow of water to several objects (you simply cannot do without them) water and heat supply.
Disadvantages are characterized by a decrease in performance properties due to:
- increased hydraulic resistance, creating a stagnation zone where suspended particles can accumulate, which can cause premature wear and corrosion;
- failure of the spool gasket (separation by liquid flow, sticking, drying out), which leads to frequent repairs;
- the need to maintain the valve device in working condition, for which it should be completely opened or closed at least once a year if there has been no load in operation for a long time.
The exception to the rule here is a direct-flow valve with an inclined spindle, where less resistance is created in the hydraulics. This is achieved by the oriented position of the seat towards the fluid flow.
Types of cranes
When buying a faucet, a consumer can become confused by the wide variety of these devices. Therefore, it is not easy to choose the right product. For greater clarity, these plumbing fixtures are divided into three groups:
- Plug tap. It is used mainly in heating and gas supply systems. Its advantage is the absence of rubber gaskets, which are often destroyed under the influence of distilled flows.
- Valve type faucet. Such a device is used to shut off water when it is supplied to the apartment, as well as to prevent an accident or leak. It is often used to adjust water risers.
- Ball valve. Considered the most reliable, it is based on a smooth chrome-plated ball that fits tightly to sealing gaskets and other parts. It shuts off the water very reliably. This device is often used in mixers.
Classification based on purpose
All types of shut-off valves are conventionally divided according to the principle of their main purpose. In this case, the following groups can be distinguished:
- devices for the water supply system, mounted in it, when coupling products and, in rare cases, ball devices are usually used;
- products for household needs, when valve or ball equipment is used, installed at the end of a pipeline for water intake, irrigation, etc.;
- household appliances, known to many as valve and mixing types of taps.
A large assortment of water taps allows you to choose a model for any room interior Source info.sibnet.ru
For domestic purposes, it is important to both regulate the water pressure and monitor its temperature. Therefore, for this purpose, mixers are most often used, which are manufactured in a wide variety of variations.
Household appliances have been made simpler. They do not need to control the temperature of the incoming liquid. These devices only change the water pressure. Coupling products can only operate in the off/on position. They simply allow you to supply or shut off water.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in engineering systems (heating, water supply, sewerage and others) and related work
Ball valve design
The main details of such a plumbing device are:
- unscrewing housing part;
- rubber rod seals;
- swing arm;
- galvanized steel screw;
- swivel ball made of chromed brass;
- Teflon seal of the ball part;
- stock.
The simplest in design are household ball valves designed for cold water. Coupling types can withstand quite a large load , which is why they are used for hot water. These products have a lot in common, only the shape of the tap can be different, which depends on their purpose. The water flow in types of ball valves is carried out through a hole, and it is blocked by turning the lever 90 degrees.
Briefly about the main thing
After you have described what kinds of water taps there are, you need to determine the main purpose of the purchase - what exactly this or that model is needed for. Taking this into account, the shape of the product, material of manufacture, design and other important points are determined.
Recommendations for choosing a crane:
- Material of the body and internal elements. Today on the market you can most often find devices made of materials such as brass and bronze - these are the highest quality and most durable devices. Silumin products do not have a long service life, the same applies to the plastic filling of the faucet.
- Design. Double-valve products are usually chosen for classic interiors, single-lever ones are characterized by ease of use, and touch and thermostatic ones will appeal to connoisseurs of new products and comfort.
- Form. For the kitchen, it is best to choose taps with a curved spout; for the bathroom, short models. Medium-length items with a slight bend fit perfectly into the washbasin.
- Fastening method. Faucets can be floor-mounted, wall-mounted, mortise-mounted, built-in - this will depend on specific preferences and the location of future installation.
- Maintainability. The most durable are modern touch taps and products with a thermostat. It often happens that the valve on a two-valve device rotates, and on single-lever devices the silicone seals fail.
- Dimensions. Connecting elements are indicated in inches, so it is advisable to find out this parameter in the store. The diameter of the tip is also important - the liquid pressure will depend on it.
Attention! When purchasing, you also need to pay attention to the aeration nozzle - the more holes, the better the water is sprayed.
Today, faucets in stores are available in a huge assortment, this allows all customers to choose the model and design that best suits their specific needs. By following all the rules for operating shut-off valves, you can extend their operating time.
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Advantages of ball valves for water pipes
This device has become popular not only because of its ergonomic design and ease of use. It has many other advantages:
- reliability and durability;
- convenient lever control;
- absence of turbulence and stagnant zones;
- repairs and additional maintenance are not required for a long time;
- compact design;
- efficiency and low water loss;
- high tightness;
- slight wear with active shock absorption.
The most common malfunctions
Mostly faucets used to supply hot water are subject to breakdowns. The most common causes of faucet malfunctions are:
- incorrect valve operation;
- abrasion of the threaded connection on the body;
- failed stuffing box;
- wear of seals.
In addition, leaks in faucets are often caused by foreign particles that settle between the seal and the valve seat, which leads to the destruction of the former. Also, the gasket is often damaged by very strong screwing of the device.
Recommendation! Due to breakdowns of faucets and drain tanks, water losses often amount to more than 30%. Therefore, it is necessary to get rid of leaks that appear in a timely manner.
You can change the seal for a water tap yourself, but it is still recommended to contact specialists Source ytimg.com
The most common cause of leakage is wear of the seal. If a breakdown occurs because of this, you need to urgently call a plumber who will perform the following work:
- the main valve shuts off the water in the house (most often it is located under the sink or in the toilet);
- unscrews the union nut using the appropriate wrench;
- then unscrews the handle with the spindle and takes out the seal;
- the gasket is replaced with another one - silicone is used for cold water, leather is used for hot water;
- the size of the seal must be approximately 1 mm larger than the diameter of the valve seat, this is quite enough for a tight fit and being in its seat;
- The edges of the installed seal are trimmed using scissors at 45 degrees around the perimeter.
Sometimes installing a new seal is not necessary, but repairs are still needed. Some residents of private houses are faced with the “roar” of pipes. In this case, too, it’s all the gasket’s fault. To get rid of extraneous noise, you need to disassemble the mixer and again cut the edges of the seal at an acute angle.
Disadvantages of the device
A ball valve for water supply, unfortunately, also has disadvantages.
If the water quality is poor, the ball begins to become slagged . If the tap is not turned on for a long time, especially if it is used for hot water, then after a while the device begins to act up, and then it becomes impossible to open it. Therefore, for prevention, it is recommended to turn it once every two months to remove all salt deposits from it.
If the water passing through the tap contains rust, then when opening and closing the device, its surface is damaged by scale and sand. All this leads to the fact that in the closed position the ball valve begins to etch.
If the plumbing fixture is of average quality , then in some cases a leak occurs from under the seal. In this situation, the tap can be tightened, but often the nut that tightens the oil seal begins to rotate along with the lever and the leak cannot be stopped. And in some models there is no oil seal at all, and therefore, if a leak occurs, the faucet is simply thrown out and a new one is installed.
Another drawback is that the ball valve should be installed only in a room where the temperature does not drop below zero degrees. Otherwise, the water freezes and ruptures the device.
Principle of operation
Different types of water taps have their own design features, but they have the same operating principle:
- if water supply is required, the user activates an external device for this, for example, in sensor devices it is necessary to bring your hands to the sensor, in valve structures special caps are used on the valves, in single-lever taps you need to raise the flag upward;
- after performing these manipulations, cold and hot water begins to flow from the pipes, which is mixed in the faucet structure itself, so at the outlet the user has a liquid of the required temperature;
For a kitchen sink, it is best to choose a long valve tap with a high curved spout Source kabel-house.ru
- to adjust the temperature, an external device of the plumbing fixture is again used: the flag is moved to the required side, the valves are screwed or unscrewed;
- touch and thermostatic taps contain a special element that independently regulates the temperature before serving, that is, the equipment can be pre-set to the required temperature.
How to choose a quality product
Before visiting a store to purchase a plumbing fixture, measure the dimensions of the water pipe . This is important because its cross-section and the dimensions of the ball holes must match.
It is best to study prices for such devices in advance in any online store. All information should be obtained directly from a hardware store from a sales consultant. The product must be visually assessed from all sides, because it is impossible to qualitatively evaluate the product from the picture on the website.
High-quality products must have a trademark, certificate , detailed instructions and labeling. The main instructions must have a translation into Russian - this is typical for licensed imported goods. Illegal products usually have sloppy translations, distortions in logos and inscriptions, and the name of the country of origin and release date are missing. No one will be responsible for such a product.
It is necessary to carefully inspect the product for the presence of sagging, cracks, chips, unevenness, and peeling paint on the swing arm. High-quality products have the same body wall thickness.
Ideally, the ball should be made of brass, but the fake one is made of steel. In addition, low-quality goods have a dull mirror surface.
The body must also be made of brass , with the exception of chrome-plated ball mixers. The fake is usually made of silumin or galvanized steel. The protective coating is often scratched. The inner metal should be light yellow.
When purchasing a faucet, you should not pay attention to a product with a low price. A high-quality licensed product is never cheap. When making a purchase, the seller is obliged to issue a receipt giving the right to an exchange in the event of purchasing a crane with a defect. It would be better if there is a warranty card. It is never given for counterfeit goods. You should also check for detailed instructions.
The increased demand for high-quality ball valves has given rise to the production of fakes , which are very similar in appearance, but spoil the reputation of trusted manufacturers. They quickly begin to break or leak. There have been cases when a plumbing fixture purchased on the market cracked and fell apart during installation. It is best to purchase proven products from official distributors.
Scope of use
The different structure of the crane makes it possible to install these devices in different areas. This type of shut-off valve is used for:
- soul;
- drawing water to the bathroom;
- combined use for washbasin and bathtub;
- bidet;
- kitchen sink.
Shut-off valves for the bathroom are distinguished by a low spout design; you can find products with short faucets that allow you not to touch the equipment when performing hygiene procedures. Options for the bathroom are often made with a shower head, which is equipped with a nozzle for it.
Taps for installation in the bathroom are miniature in size, which is very convenient when using them. Source vanna-prosto.ru
The main difference from a bathroom faucet is that the faucet does not have a spout, since the water moves into the shower itself. Products can be both classic and modern - with a set of different functional buttons and a display.
Attention! The dimensions of the required washing device must take into account its diameter, allowing the user to easily care for the sanitaryware. Today, there are products with a pull-out drain - they allow you to instantly clean the sink, and devices with drain equipment make it possible to instantly close the drain to fill the sink with water.
Combined devices for the washbasin and bathroom are no longer installed so often, but are still sometimes in demand. These plumbing fixtures are characterized by an elongated spout and the ability to rotate them in the required direction.
The kitchen faucet is most often installed with a single lever, so there is no need to rotate the valves all the time. The design of the kitchen faucet must be chosen with a high bend so that it is possible to wash deep pots.
Bidet faucets come in many designs, this one is considered a classic Source burlingtonbathrooms.ru
Models for bidets have a ball aerator, which is installed in a special hole; it is often also popularly called a “hygienic shower”.
