Use Ball-type Shutoff Valves To Prevent Plumbing Leaks

Rubber washers in standard shutoff valves eventually fail. Ball valve type shutoff valves last longer and won't leak.

by Gary Wentz

From The Family Handyman

Click Image to enlarge.

If you’re remodeling your kitchen or adding a bathroom, here’s some advice you’ll thank us for later: Choose ball-type shutoff valves instead of standard stop valves. Shutoff valves go unused for years. Standard valves have rubber washers that harden with time and other fussy parts that become caked with mineral deposits. Then—when the time comes to replace the faucet or fix the toilet—the valve won’t seal off the water flow.

Ball valves are simpler inside. A ball with a hole through it opens and closes with a quarter turn. Fewer complex parts, fewer things to go wrong. Ball valves almost never let you down. This reliability costs you about $6 per valve, vs. $4 for standard valves. Ball valves are sometimes labeled “quarter turn” valves. If you don’t find them at a home center or a hardware store, call a plumbing supply store (in the yellow pages under “Plumbing, Fixtures, Parts & Supplies”).

From The Family Handyman - July/August 2006

• • Bathrooms
• • Plumbing Projects
• • Home Repair

• Plumbing Valve Basics
• Comparing stop, gate and ball valves for use as water-supply shutoff valves
• 
• Ask Handyman
• 
• Replace A Leaky Shutoff Valve
• Remove a soldered shutoff and replace it with a compression valve
• 

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My father was often away on lengthy tours of duty, leaving my mother to manage five kids by herself. While he was away we used to sneak into their room to sleep. So before shipping out one time, Dad reminded us to respect Mom's space and sleep in our own rooms. Upon his return, as he disembarked the plane with the rest of his unit, my brother ran up to him, jumped into his arms and loudly announced, "Dad, you're going to be so happy. While you were gone this time nobody slept with Mom."

-- Kathleen Hodge