Which valve to choose: ball, gate valve, valve or plastic

Locking elements

First of all, let's look at what types of water taps there can be according to the structural features and functioning of their locking elements:

Conical

Closing and opening the passage in such a tap is carried out by raising and lowering the cone-shaped plug.

At one time, this design was very widespread, but today it is practically not used due to very significant disadvantages:

• Labor-intensive to use with your own hands
  . In order to open or close such a device, a large torque is required, even taking into account the small cross-section.
• Rapid wear
  . The conical plug, which is responsible for the efficiency of the product, too quickly loses the accuracy of its fit to the walls of the body, which makes the faucet unsuitable for further use.
• The price is quite high
  due to the complexity of processing the cone of the locking part, where the slightest mistake will lead to a lack of the necessary tightness.

Cylindrical

In this case, the locking function is carried out by moving the cylinder, which provides the following differences from the previous version:

• The manufacturing technology has been simplified, which reduces the cost of the finished product.
• There is no complete seal.

Ball

Here the principle of operation is fundamentally different from previous variations of water taps. The locking element is a steel ball with a through hole in the middle.

By turning the handle connected to the ball by a rod, we thereby change its position:

1. The hole is turned towards the wall of the valve body, and the passage is completely blocked.
2. The hole is turned towards the inlet pipe, as a result of which the passage is free for fluid movement.

This device provides the ball valve with the following advantages, thanks to which it is today the leader in the market of sanitary shut-off valves:

• Affordable cost
  , which is ensured by ease of manufacture.
• Basic operating instructions
  . It is enough to slightly turn the handle 90 degrees to change the state from “open” to “closed” and vice versa.

• Low weight
  , due to which there is practically no load on the pipeline.
• Reliability and wear resistance
  . There is no such fast production as in previous models.
• External attractiveness
  . The small size of the faucet itself makes it almost invisible, and the protruding handle in the form of a lever or butterfly looks quite aesthetically pleasing.

Thus, if we talk about the bolt mechanism, then ball models definitely win.

Device design

The water tap design has a simple, understandable diagram. The valve consists of a ball-shaped valve made of stainless steel. There is a small hole in the center, which has a cylindrical shape. Its main purpose is the movement of liquid (water). The diameter of the hole is selected taking into account the parameters of the pipeline.

The shutter of the device is attached to a rotating spindle. This allows the handle to be manipulated to unlock or lock the mechanism. The ball valve rotates at an angle of 90 degrees. When the valve is closed, the axial hole takes a position perpendicular to the axis of the valve body. When opened, the axis becomes perpendicular to the pipeline, which allows the liquid to flow smoothly.

Which faucet is better, valve or ball? Myths and reality

You can find any opinions on the Internet. Both right and wrong. How can an unprepared person who decides to clarify some unknown issue for himself find the truth?

There are only two ways:

— Check any information from other sources and analyze;

— Follow the recommendations of those specialists whom you already know as professionals.

Let's try to use the first method and analyze one article that recently appeared in Zen with a similar title.

I quote with a screenshot:

What can I say? Valves appeared long before the emergence of the USSR and are still very widely used in world practice.

Why don't they last long? This unfounded statement by the author is given solely in order to make the transition to “some kind of replacement”, which is offered as ball valves. The author is silent about why they are more popular, but he gives the following list of pros and cons of ball valves:

In fact, simplicity is not so simple; ball valves became widespread only after the advent of sufficiently high-tech materials and production processes; before that, their use was quite modest due to the inability to ensure the necessary tightness of the ball plug seal using traditional materials and surface treatment methods.

Does it last longer compared to a valve? Complete nonsense, the standard service life of high-quality ball valves and valves is approximately equal and is about 30 years. The actual service life of the valves is many times longer.

The occurrence of a water hammer when a ball valve is suddenly closed is not significant for small diameter valves used in everyday life.

Ball valves are also used at higher temperatures, the only difference is in the heat-resistant gaskets:

Ball valve for working with temperatures of the transported medium up to 230 degrees

Typically, ball valves are used as shut-off rather than control valves. But there are also special ball control valves. Just Google it to be convinced of this. But these are mainly industrial taps; if you need a control function at home, it is better to use a valve.

High-quality ball valves are repairable:

Column 5 in the crane passport - repairable, column 2 - standard service life - 30 years

The crane is easily disassembled and worn or damaged parts are replaced with new ones:

Let's move on to the valves. The author of the article in question offers us the following:

There are ball valves and valves for a wide range of pressures.

Valves are indeed much easier to repair at home without using branded spare parts. Therefore, their repair is also cheaper.

There are valves with a ceramic locking mechanism (widely used in faucet boxes for mixers and water taps). A valve with this locking mechanism opens as quickly as a ball valve.

Rubber sealing gaskets wear out as a result of friction against the faucet seat, and not due to contact with water. They cost pennies, replacement is simple and almost anyone can do it.

And now about the really important difference between ball valves and valves. The valve, due to its design features, creates greater pressure losses in the system than a ball valve

The valve, due to its design features, creates greater pressure losses in the system than a ball valve.

The diameter of the hole for the passage of medium in a ball valve most often corresponds to the internal diameter of the pipeline on which the valve is installed (such a ball valve is called full bore). In the open position, the ball valve does not create resistance to the flow of the transported medium, and therefore does not “devour” the pressure in the system.

This is important for heating systems and gravitational water supply of country houses with limited pressure in the system. It was with full bore ball valves that I installed a gravity water supply system in my country house, which works perfectly with very low water pressure from a storage tank installed in the attic of the house

It was with full bore ball valves that I installed a gravity water supply system in my country house, which works perfectly with very low water pressure from a storage tank installed in the attic of the house.

Good luck to all!

Material of manufacture

As for the material, you should pay attention to the two most commonly used options:

Brass

High resistance to mechanical stress. Withstands any careless handling and survives the most extreme situations.

• High resistance to temperature changes
  . Calmly withstands the pressure of hot water and does not deteriorate in the cold.
• Ease of installation
  . easy to install and dismantle.
• No corrosion processes
  . Most other metals cannot boast of this property.

Plastic

Polypropylene is a relatively new material, which, despite this, has already managed to take a strong position in the plumbing industry.

Plastic taps boast the following advantages:

• Low cost. Plastic products are always cheap, especially when compared with their metal counterparts.
• Low weight. Due to this, there is no pressure on the pipeline.
• Reliability of joints. The plastic pipeline is installed using a special soldering iron, which guarantees complete tightness. Although it should be taken into account that there are also classic models with threaded connections.

• Neutrality to the aquatic environment - does not rust and does not change the taste of water.
• Durability. Polypropylene decomposes no earlier than after 200 years.

But there are also some difficulties that you need to be aware of when choosing shut-off valves from this material:

• Weak resistance to mechanical stress. The plastic may crack under severe physical stress.
• Fear of high temperatures. Polypropylene begins to deform already at +95 degrees Celsius.

Therefore, depending on the conditions in which your water supply system will serve, choose which material is more suitable.

Housing office

The housing office or other companies with which the corresponding agreement was signed are required to carry out repair work necessary to ensure that the heating, water supply, and sewage risers are in good condition. To get started you will need:

• plan for their implementation;
• an act indicating the need to repair some
• or parts of the riser;
• presence of leaks and other malfunctions.

You can also contact the Housing Office with a statement, after consideration of which a response should be given.

The use of radiators in autonomous heating systems

If we are talking about connecting housing to small autonomous boiler houses, special meters are installed to record the heat consumed. In order to use resources efficiently and not overpay, it is recommended to install control valves in apartments during the installation of heating radiators and underfloor heating systems.

There are two types of shut-off and control valves - valves and valves.

When using a valve for bimetallic radiators, preliminary adjustment is performed manually, and further operation of the system occurs automatically. The valve is regulated by a thermostatic head, which reads the room temperature. If the battery is to be installed in a wall recess, or heavy complex curtains are located nearby, a remote sensor is installed for ease of valve control.

Typically, the battery is connected using two locking devices. A valve with a thermal head is installed on top, and a shut-off valve for the heating radiator is installed on the bottom. The valve shut-off rod is usually covered with a special plug.

Please note that turning off the tap for the lower connection of heating radiators is performed only in some situations. In this regard, the shut-off valve stem is always raised to its maximum height, and it can only be moved with a hexagon

Owner's responsibilities

According to regulatory documentation, the decision on the need to carry out current or major repairs is made by apartment owners. The responsibilities of home and common property owners include:

1. maintain the technical condition of common building communications;
2. if necessary, make decisions about repairs.

The owners themselves are allowed to carry out repair work on equipment that serves only their apartment. Management companies are responsible for repairs of common property. This is a gratuitous agreement that provides for monthly payments that residents are required to pay. In return, general maintenance is provided.

Features of purchasing a polypropylene ball valve

Before purchasing a polypropylene faucet, you must carefully inspect it; there should be no damage to its surface. When rotating the rod, you need to make sure that it turns with little effort.

And yet, it makes no sense to purchase a ball valve in markets or obscure stores. Practice shows that you can really save money there, but there are no guarantees of quality and cannot be.

A valve manufactured by a serious manufacturer is sold only through specialized retail outlets.

When choosing a polypropylene faucet, you need to remember a few simple things:

the thread on the valve body must match the thread on the pipe; purchasing a used valve can lead to leaks, with all the ensuing consequences, in the form of flooded neighbors. The brand is important. The fact is that many European manufacturers transfer their production to third world countries, but do not always carry out quality control. To install the faucet, it is advisable to invite specialist plumbers

Installing shut-off valves yourself can end sadly. We must remember that the operating pressure is up to 8 MPa

It is advisable to invite specialist plumbers to install the faucet. Installing shut-off valves yourself can end sadly. We must remember that the working pressure is up to 8 MPa.

Replacement

Communications located inside the apartment and which only the owner and residents can use are private property. Actions towards them may be different. Of course, if it does not harm the property of neighbors and does not violate their rights and interests. The owner has the right:

• replace old pipes with more modern ones;
• change faucets and counters;
• increase or decrease the number of plumbing fixtures;
• change batteries, etc.

This is done at your own request and at your own expense. With ownership, you can make such changes.

In addition to the right, the homeowner also has a burden obliging him to maintain the property in good condition and pay for:

1. water;
2. gas;
3. sewerage, etc.

This is where the question arises of who owns the pipes connecting each apartment to utilities. It turns out that this is the common property of all owners. Consequently, the pipes located inside the apartment are private property, and the risers are common property.

Repair and replacement of water pipes, sewer pipes and heating pipes are regulated by:

• rules and regulations for the technical use of housing stock;
• rules for the maintenance of common property in an apartment building;
• manual for repair and maintenance MDK 2-04.2004.

Which pipeline tap to choose

Therefore, when deciding which ball valve to choose, follow a few simple and useful rules:

Find out in advance which manufacturers' cranes are considered the most reliable and durable, and, if possible, purchase exactly these products. For example, ball valves from Bugatti have a deservedly high reputation all over the world. Of course, such products are not cheap, but the money spent will more than pay off due to its long service life. Try to purchase faucets with a brass body, as this is a durable and reliable material that is resistant to corrosion and can withstand heavy loads. You should not buy ball valves made of silumin (an alloy of aluminum with silicon), even in order to save money, since silumin is less durable and does not withstand sharp fluctuations in loads (and this often happens in water systems due to water hammer). Silumin can be easily distinguished from brass: it is much lighter and has a different color. Choose valves rated for high pressure

This will help extend their service life and avoid unpleasant consequences in the event of a water hammer. Make sure that the ball locking element is smooth, without signs of corrosion or damage, and that it rotates easily. It is better that the ball is not made of steel (you can check it with a magnet), because even “stainless steel” gradually deteriorates in a humid environment. It is advisable to purchase a faucet with metal handles, since plastic handles can easily break.

Pressure tap replacement process

Since it was not possible to turn off the water, it is barely contained under pressure by the old tap, which at any moment can give an even bigger leak. It is necessary to act very quickly and it is highly advisable to act together.

You should, as quickly as possible, use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the used tap and insert, overcoming the water pressure, the sealing device into the outlet to the required depth.

I turned on the tap and the pressure came out.

Then, holding it in the pipe, use a wrench to tighten the nut on the rod of the fixture until water stops flowing from the gap between the steel extension and the fixture.

Types of ball valves

Cranes differ from each other primarily in their purpose. Some of them can be used to work with cold water, others to work with hot water. The purpose of the cranes determines their design features. Some models of cranes are collapsible, others are detachable. PP taps with a detachable design are installed where the question of disconnecting it from the network may arise. By the way, the connector can be installed on one or both sides of the valve body.

When connecting a collapsible tap, union nuts are used. They are installed in systems where fittings made of metal are used, in steel pipelines and next to heating radiators.

Collapsible propylene taps have two designs - straight and angular. If everything is clear with straight taps, then the advantage of corner taps is that they are connected to the main line directly, without the help of auxiliary couplings. This design not only facilitates installation, but also increases the maintainability of the product. Thanks to the design of the valve, it can be quickly disassembled and repaired.

Manufacturers produce valves in different colors. Moreover, at the manufacturing stage, color markings are applied to the body, which can tell what a particular faucet is intended for. For example, a blue stripe indicates that the product is designed for use in cold environments.

Dad Repair secrets Ball or valve valve

21.07.2014

Shut-off valves on water pipes - inattention to this thing can cost you a significant amount.

Just imagine: the tap on the cold water supply pipe breaks. Of course, there is a fountain in the apartment. And if you are on vacation, then the fountain quickly turns into a lake and it all flows to the neighbors below. What if they are also on vacation/at work or something else? Another floor below. And so on. You can figure out the financial side of this matter yourself.

The faucet is where a leak is most likely to occur. The pipes are welded reliably. If not, it will be noticeable immediately, but problems with the faucet accumulate gradually. So let’s try to figure out which of them is more reliable in operation.

Ball or valve?

For an apartment, only these two options are possible. Available at any plumbing store, there is an assortment of pipes of different diameters. Let's look at the pros and cons of each.

Valve

The main advantage is maintainability. And this is the main disadvantage. Such a crane is a little more complicated both in design and in operation. It needs to be screwed in and out, you often don’t want to tinker with this, and besides, the gaskets and seals regularly wear out, and the oil seal begins to leak. We changed the gasket and for the time being everything was fine again.

The valve can be used as a shut-off and control valve. Ball valve only. This is an ironclad rule - a ball valve has only two positions: open and closed.

Ball

Easier to set up and use. Turn the flag and you're done. There are compact flags (butterflies). They are convenient because they do not take up extra space (the butterfly does not protrude beyond the dimensions of the pipe).

But the butterfly is inconvenient to open taps on large diameter pipes. It is better to take it here with a handle flag.

Due to the simplicity of the design, the durability of the ball valve is higher. With the same (and quite large) number of closing/opening cycles, the valve will leak much earlier. But! At home, you are unlikely to open them as often. This is not a kitchen faucet. And this is where the main problem of ball valves opens up.

The ball turns sour during use. And it’s not so easy to block it later. Therefore, you cannot leave the ball valve in a half-open state. The harder the water, the faster the ball’s mirror will “overgrow”. As a preventative measure, you can periodically (every two to three months) open and close the tap, thus removing scale. The only question is not to be lazy.

Well, and most importantly, it is impossible to repair a ball valve. Complete replacement only. Unlike valve.

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Procedure

In case of sudden problems, you should immediately contact the housing office or management company. To do this, a corresponding application addressed to the boss must be drawn up in free form; at least 2 photographs of communications must be attached.
Signed and dated. There must be two copies of the document, one remains in the housing office, the second should be taken with you, and a mark of acceptance is placed on the application. In order for the application to be accepted without problems and questions, it is important that the owner of the apartment does not have debt for utility services.

Before writing an application to the Criminal Code, you can call a plumber to your home, who, after inspecting the sewer riser, draws up a report and also records the existing damage and the need to replace the riser. The event may develop as follows:

1. The repair team responds in a short time and replaces the emergency riser. The owner must provide access to the bathroom for repair work.
2. The management organization does not agree to replace the vertical main, citing the fact that the pipeline is located in the owner’s apartment and it is the owner who is responsible for it. In this case, a written refusal is issued. This document is the basis for going to court, although the process itself can take several months.

Which ball valve is better to choose so that it works for a long time and reliably

Ball valves have long been widely used in pipeline systems due to their simplicity of design and ease of use. However, they must have another valuable quality: reliability. After all, if a crane is made of insufficiently high-quality materials, it may fail prematurely or even cause an accident. There are often cases when, when deciding the question: “which valve to choose?”, in pursuit of savings, buyers purchase ball valves made of cheap aluminum-based alloys, made by some unknown company. And this can result in big troubles and losses - for example, if the tap breaks under the pressure of water, and the apartment of the neighbors below is flooded.

Tips and tricks for use

To prevent the valve from failing, it is recommended to follow certain rules for using the mechanisms.

Tips for use:

• to avoid blockages that can lead to damage to the valve, it is necessary to install an additional filter in front of the mixer;
• compliance with temperature conditions - indicated on the packaging;
• for prevention, the mechanism must be treated with a special lubricant;
• after installing the tap, it is advisable to check the tightness;
• It is not recommended to turn the bolt mechanism all the way;
• Once a year it is necessary to carry out a preventive inspection of the pipeline system.

These rules will help protect the valve from premature failure and extend its service life.

Types of ball valves

The crane structure described above and the principle of its operation are the same for all types of products. Varieties of ball valves arose as a result of adding various useful elements to the design that expand the functionality of the valve. The only exception is a three-way ball valve, in which the body has not 2 outlets, but three. This element does not simply shut off the coolant, but redistributes its flow and can serve as a mixing unit.

All other functional elements that complement the design of the crane are given in the list:

• water drain fitting;
• connection with a union nut (American);
• Mayevsky tap (needle valve);
• mesh filter;
• various types of drives for rotating the rod.

When you need to empty one branch of the heating system, radiator or boiler circuit, it is best to provide a tap with a fitting in the circuit. Thanks to it, there is no need to drain water from the entire system for repairs or other work. This is also very convenient when you need to remove the battery for washing. It is enough to turn off the coolant and unscrew the fitting plug, placing a container of the required capacity under it. The figure below shows a ball valve with an American connection and a fitting for emptying:

It should be noted that the term “ball valve with fitting” also refers to a regular valve with the ability to connect a watering hose.

To remove air pockets from problem areas of the network, the scheme uses a needle valve for the heating system.
This is the well-known Mayevsky valve for manual air release, combined with a ball valve. It cannot be said that this product is often used, but in some cases it is simply irreplaceable. For example, when air locks occur on horizontal pipelines laid at the highest points of the system. When in complex heating circuits it is necessary to automate the operation of shut-off valves, they use a product such as an electric ball valve. Its task is, at the command of the electronic control unit, to open or close the flow of liquid, or direct it along a different path. In such cranes, a platform is structurally provided for mounting a drive designed to rotate the rod with the ball.

In mixing units where it is necessary to ensure the separation or combination of flows in the required proportions, three-way valves with a servo drive are installed. Their difference from electrical mechanisms is that the device can slowly turn the rod and stop in the required position at the command of the controller or thermostat. Then the streams partially overlap, merging into one at the exit.

Now that we have figured out what this or that type of ball valve is intended for, we can begin to select it. It should be remembered that this type of fittings is not used to regulate the amount of water, but only performs shut-off functions. The exception is devices with servo drives. It is better to make a specific selection of a tap knowing the operating parameters of the coolant. If there is no such information, then it is enough to know that for systems of private houses, fittings in a coupling design with a working pressure of up to 10 Bar and a temperature of up to 120 ºC are quite sufficient.

If we are talking about centralized networks, then for heating it is better to use ball valves with a working pressure of up to 16 Bar and higher. When selecting fittings for central heating, you need to be careful and provide a decent pressure margin. The reason is unpredictable parameter jumps due to water hammer.

Separately, we will give a warning about counterfeits, which fill all plumbing markets. The Chinese cheap faucet is made of silumin, it is very fragile and often cannot withstand even tightening with a wrench. In addition, the material is susceptible to electrochemical corrosion, which destroys it within a couple of years. At the same time, it has become very difficult to recognize a fake. The only recommendation on this topic: buy fittings from trusted people or in trusted stores, even if you choose a small tap for heating radiators.

Where to buy a ball valve

If we talk about the Bugatti brand, you definitely won’t find these products on the market near your home. Real ball valves from the Italian manufacturer are sold only in specialized stores.

There is nothing worse than paying a lot of money for a supposedly real Bugatti crane, bought at the local market or in a nearby store. The chance of buying a counterfeit there is very high. After a breakdown, you are unlikely to be able to get your money back - as a rule, neither checks nor certificates are provided on the market.

We conclude: regardless of the chosen brand, it is better to buy shut-off valves in a certified store or at least in construction hypermarkets. To dispel all doubts, do not be lazy to ask for a certificate confirming the quality of the selected model.

Tips for choosing: what to look for when buying?

In addition to certificates, you can simply pick up the crane and inspect it visually. If you have in front of you a genuine Bugatti or an original ball valve from any other well-known company, it definitely should not have any strange sagging or irregularities. The applied markings must have straight letters that are easy to read and distinguish

Brass markings are another point that you should pay attention to during purchase. For example, Bugatti makes their products from brass material marked CW617N

We definitely look inside and find a ball there. If it is mirror-like and polished to a shine, this is a good sign of quality. Feel free to scratch the body a little - the yellow metal will indicate brass. Fakes are most often made of silumin or steel.

Finally, a few more tips:

Take Bugatti cranes of the “reinforced” type. They have a serial number 6xx and the mark PN 40. This figure indicates the operating pressure of the valve is 40 atm (a very good indicator). Reliable taps have higher cleanliness, thicker walls at the threads, and more weight.

Try to avoid buying faucets that have plastic handles. The slightest effort will break the spitz, the handle will begin to scroll. Most often, such “pseudo-faucets” are installed on a washing machine, toilet and faucet supply.

Even when purchased, the faucet should turn quite freely (with minimal effort). If you were able to scroll only with a gas key, and at the same time you also rested your feet against the wall, it is better to refuse the purchase

The thing is that the ball valve is never lubricated. Pay attention to the size of the ball itself. The size of the “hole” in it must match the size of the attached pipe.

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Where is the best place to buy ball valves?

If you decide to purchase a Bugatti crane (or products from another well-known world-famous manufacturer), under no circumstances should you look for this product on the market. There, with almost 100% probability, they will slip you a fake. You can purchase low-quality counterfeit goods under the brand names of these manufacturers even in small stores selling plumbing fixtures. Therefore, to avoid wasting money, it is better to make purchases in construction hypermarkets, and even better - in special stores that have a certificate for the sale of such products. Make sure that the valve body is free of irregularities, sagging, and contains clear, distinct markings. Also make sure that the locking ball is completely smooth and polished.

LLC TD Arma - supplier of ball valves

TD Arma LLC is the official dealer of factories producing ball valves from Art. 20, 09G2S and 12Х18Н10Т:

Chelyabinskspetsgrazhdanstroy LLC

JSC "Khimpribor"

ADSA-ADL

PEKOS VALVES SA (Spain)

NAVAL

and others. Ball valves from these manufacturers are used in the chemical, oil, gas and food industries. This product has a “Certificate of Conformity”, Rostekhnadzor Permit” and “Hygienic Certificate”.

Batteries connected to central heatingUse of radiators in autonomous heating systemsUse of heating radiators in a private houseHeating system with polypropylene componentsConnecting batteriesVariety of locking elements - straight and angularVideo

Modern efficient heating equipment is used, as a rule, in closed-type systems with forced circulation of the coolant. In order for such heating to function correctly, it is equipped with all kinds of locking elements. This article will discuss which taps are best installed on heating radiators, depending on their material and type of system. In this case, the type of shut-off valve is determined by the conditions in which it will be used.

It is worth noting that obsolete and inefficient heating systems with steel pipes are used less and less. They assume a natural type of water circulation in the heating circuit, that is, the coolant moves through the pipes due to gravitational forces. No shut-off elements are installed in such systems, and if it is necessary to reduce the flow rate, then pipes of a smaller diameter are installed in a specific area.

Both heating systems described are most often equipped with elements such as radiators. Their task is to increase the heat-transfer surface and provide better heating of the room.

Heating radiators are used in the following cases:

• in private homes;
• in multi-storey buildings connected to an autonomous boiler house;
• in apartments heated from a centralized city heating network.

Ball valves or valves, which is better?

When choosing shut-off valves, the following must be considered. A polypropylene faucet can operate without interruption for several decades. According to the statements made by the manufacturers of these products, they can last up to 50 years. Cone valves differ from them in that scale is concentrated on the surface, and you can be sure that this scale will sooner or later become an insurmountable obstacle when closing or opening the valve. In addition, it is impossible to compare the overall dimensions of ball and cone products. And yet, cone valves require regular inspection.

Polypropylene ball valves do not suffer from such disadvantages. In addition to their low weight and high reliability, they look much nicer than other models of shut-off valves. For the production of ball valves, the following materials are used:

• steel;
• cast iron;
• polyethylene;

Taking into account all of the above, we can draw a simple conclusion - spherical products exceed conical ones in all respects.

Materials and tools used

For this work we will need the following tools and materials:

• an adjustable wrench for unscrewing an old, worn-out faucet;
• an open-end or socket wrench of the appropriate size;
• squeegee (a piece of pipe with a thread at one end);
• FUM tape;
• a special device for shutting off water in the riser outlet;
• Bulgarian;
• welding machine;
• new faucet.