Water Tap Valve Types

The common name for a valve used in homes to regulate water flow.

Water tap valve types.

The tap comes with slightly complex functioning yet is considered to be an ideal match for both traditional and modern tap designs too. Several considerations dictate which is the best water shut off valve for your needs including the size of the inlet diameter and outlet diameter as well as how the valve is operated. This guide reviews the differences in the types of water valves and their primary applications. Tap british english faucet american english.

Materials for water valves can include brass plastic stainless steel bronze cast iron and galvanized pipe. Pex also can use a compression fitting which allows standard tools for installation. Odv getty images. This is quite a common type of valve on main water pipes.

To turn a gate valve on or off a circular handle is turned to raise or lower a metal gate inside the valve body. Tap is used in the united kingdom and most of the commonwealth for any everyday type of valve particularly the fittings that control water supply to bathtubs and sinks. A barbed fitting will require a crimp ring and a special crimping tool to complete the pex connection. Widely considered to be among the best bathroom taps the design is quite common in houses that are recently renovated.

Faucet is the most common term in the us similar in use to tap in british english e g. Most valves in a residential plumbing system are part of the water supply system and are used to control the flow of pressurized water from the water utility or a private well. A gate valve describes the mechanism by which the valve is opened and closed. Water valve shut off types are all designed to stop the flow of water.

When the valve is off the gate blocks the flow of water. Thermal expansion valve used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Barbed fitting stop valve. Valves are used to stop and regulate the flow of water and each type of valve has its pros and cons and applications for which it is best suited.

The tap design includes a tap for both hot and cold water as well as a shower tap too. Water valves are crucial items for regulating the flow and temperature in piping and plumbing fixtures.