Master Plumber Reviewer

TOPIC: PLUMBING VALVES

DIFFERENT TYPE OF WATER VALVES

1. Ball Valve –normaly a rather large metal valve usually featuring a lever handle. It is design for quick
turn-off, since the valve opens and close full with a short ¼ turn of the lever handle. Often seen at the
main water shut-off for the home & industry.

2. GATE VALVE – a gate valve describes the mechanism by which the valve is opened and closed. To turn
a gate valve on or off, a circular handle is turned to rise or lowers a metal gate inside the valve body.
When the valve is off the gate blocks the flow of water

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Master Plumber Reviewer
TOPIC: PLUMBING VALVES

3. GLOBE VALVE – From the outside, a globe valve resembles a ball valve, with a slightly bulbous metal
body. However, unlike a ball valve, a globe valve is designed to allow variable adjustment of water flow.
Inside the valve there is a baffle with a water flow port running through it the handle operates a plunger
with a some sort of washer or seal on the bottom; as the handle closes the valve, the plunger moves
down against the water flow port and partially closes it off.

4. Angle Fixture Shuff-off Valve- individual fixtures should have some from individual shut-off valves that
control to control only those fixtures. This allows water to be shut off for small repairs or replacements
to the fixture itself without interrupting water flow to other areas. These fixture shut-off valves can take
many apperances, but one that is very common is small silver-colored valve with an oval handle with
ribbed edges for gripping.

5. Straight Fixture Shut-off Valves – a close relative of the angled fixture shut-off is a straight shut-off
whicj operates exactly the same way, but is intended for use where the water flow can run straight to
the fixture. It’s very often used where a water pipe comes up out of the floor rather than out from the
wall.

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Master Plumber Reviewer
TOPIC: PLUMBING VALVES

6. Stop-and-Waste Valve

-is a key irrigation fitting to help keep springkler lines free from freezing in the winter.The stop and
waste valve is turned on and off with a meter key and when it is in the off position it will automatically
drain any water in the line.

7. Check Valve – The water moving through your plumbing should only travel one way: from the supply
lines and out through a fixture, or from a drain to the sewer main. To assure a one-way flow in the event
of a cross-connection, a check valve is necessary.

8. Butterfly Valve- disk that rotates by handle turns; this is means that flow is reduced through the valve.

9. Diaphragm Valve – similar to gate valve. The element is a diaphragm that settles down over a saddle,
thus stopping water flow.

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Master Plumber Reviewer
TOPIC: PLUMBING VALVES

10. Pressure Balanced Valve

-used to maintain constant temperature of water in domestic shower or bathtubs. A diaphragm within
the valve allows to a operators to set mixing of hot and cold water; however in the event of a pressure
drop of cold water (for instance, if a toilet nearby is flushed),the diaphragm will shift to limit an
excessive flow of hot water.It require pressure balanced valves in domestic bathrooms and showers to
prevent accidental scalding.

11. Zone Valve – Used in hydronic heatng and cooling systems to control the flow of water or steam. For
instance, they may be provided in different rooms, different floors, or different dwelling units so that
each space can have local control over the heating or cooling. In most applications, zone valves are
electrically controlled and are connected to a thermostat so that automatic control is achieved.

12. Locking Valve – Almost any type of valve can be locked to avoid accidental or intentional opening or
closing. However, valves with lever-type handles allow for more secure locking control. Locking valves
provide aligning holes that a lock can be passed through to stop rotation of the handle. Ther are also
locks designed to be attached to non-locking valves to prevent adjustment.

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Master Plumber Reviewer
TOPIC: PLUMBING VALVES

13. Solenoid Valve - are electrically controlled valves that can offer precise on/off control via an
automation system. Used in building where an automation system controls the plumbing or HVAC
system. Another common use is in irrigation systems where a computer controls the water times or the
amount of water to be applied.