Another benchtop demonstration? Absolutely!
That’s the best way, in my opinion, to show you how to pick the correct hot and cold water valves.
If you can grasp what I’m showing you here, the concept holds true no matter what setting you find yourself in.
As far a shut off valves go it’s my opinion that the ones featured in this video are among the most popular you’ll find in the feild. Don’t get me wrong, there are many connecting methods out there (i.e.: compression, pex, pro-press etc.) but I guarantee the ones on my bench are the ones most commonly found.
Starting with the good old gate valve featured on the left, this valve is most commonly found on the water service that enters your home. They’re full port when fully opened but the problem with this valve as well as with all valves in general is that they’re seldom, if ever, used by the homeowner. They sit there for ten to twenty years or longer, and when that first emergency occurs, panic sets in. In an emergency you’ll grab onto them and in many cases they’re frozen in the open position so you keep forcing them in an effort to shut off the water and bingo the valve breaks.
Now what do you do?
Well if it’s any valve other that the main water supply valve entering the home you could be adventurous and attempt to disassemble the valve and remove the broken gate, but if you want my opinion it’s probably time to call in a pro.
Don’t feel bad, I’ve been in many situations where I’ve had to shut the main water supply and have broken the gates in the closed position (ouch!)
Back in the day I would go get some dry ice and actually freeze the main water supply so I could remove the broken valve and Install a brand new one.
Although we have modern methods of freezing a water main today, the dry ice method never let me down.
The point here is just be careful, if the valve doesn’t move, don’t force it and when in doubt, call in a pro.
If you have questions about anything I’ve covered in this videos, by all means drop me a line at info@bobsplumbing videos.com.
Meet me over in part two of this series where I’ll go over the other valves featured in the video:
How To Pick The Right Hot and Cold Water Shut Off Valves – Part 2
HAPPY PLUMBING!
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