• Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
  • Community
Facebook Twitter Instagram
lets-do-diy.com
  • Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
  • Community
lets-do-diy.com
You are at:Home»DIY»Know your materials»Plumbing valves

Plumbing valves

Plumbing systems will have a series of valves controlling the water flow throughout the property. This includes isolating sections of the pipe run for maintenance. The most important valve is the stop valve that controls the flow of water from the mains supply into the property. In the event of an emergency it is important that you know where to find the stop valve.


Stop valve

All properties will have a stop valve for controlling the flow of water from the mains supply into the building. Large properties often have more than one stop valve controlling the water flow to particular areas of the system. Most stop valves will have a traditional tap handle. Usually the stop valve is fitted with a compression joint. When installing the stop valve, it must be fitted the way round in relation to the direction of the water flow. There will be an arrow on the valve indicating the correct direction.

Isolating valve (also called a service valve)

Isolating valves come in a range of designs and are used for shutting off the water supply to small areas of the plumbing system. For example if a tap needs replacing, then its water supply would firstly need to be turned off, so the valve located close to the tap would be used to achieve this. Isolating valves can be metal or plastic but it is important to remember that some plastic valves are only suitable for hot water up to a certain temperature, which will be indicated on the outside of the valve.

In older plumbing systems isolating valves may have tap handles but more modern valves are opened and closed using a slot-head screwdriver. When the slot is in line with the pipe the valve is open and closed when it is at 90° to the pipe. As with the stop valve, isolating valves must be fitted correctly in relation to the flow of water and this is indicated by an arrow on the outside of the valve.

Gate valve

This type of valve does a similar a job as a stop valve but they are designed for low-pressure pipes e.g. supply pipes from a storage cistern. Unlike other valves, gate valves can be fitted either way round. Gate valves can be easily identified by their red wheel handles.

Drain valve

Drain valves are positioned on a pipe run so the system can be drained when required. They are located where the plumbing system cannot be drained from kitchen or bathroom taps and are most commonly found connected to the boiler or central heating system. Attaching a hose to the nozzle of the drain valve and turning the valve using a valve key will successfully drain that part of the system.

Non-return valve (also called a check valve)

The function of a non-return valve is to prevent back siphonage into a supply pipe causing the water supply to become contaminated. A non-return valve only allows the water to flow in one direction. Used mainly with outdoor taps and mixer taps the non-return valve is usually built into the design of these types of fittings.

Toilet cisterns

Cold water cisterns such as the toilet cistern and a loft storage tank will be fitted with two valves: an inlet or float valve controlling the correct amount of water flowing into the cistern when it is filling up, and an outlet valve that opens up when the water is leaving the cistern. There are a variety of inlet and outlet valves available but generally the different mechanisms work on the same principles. The most common inlet and outlet valves found in toilet cisterns are described below.

Brass lever arm and ball float valve

A ball float is attached to a brass arm. When water leaves the cistern the ball float drops with the water level, opening a piston in the valve allowing water to flow into the cistern. As the cistern fills up with water the ball float rises gradually closing the valve.

Siphon valve

A siphon valve has a handle positioned on the outside of the cistern, which is attached to a lever on the inside. The lever has a wire linked to a rubber flap valve. When the handle is depressed the lever lifts the rubber flap valve allowing water to flow from the cistern into the siphon, where atmospheric pressure draws it up through the siphon, down the outflow pipe and into the toilet bowl.

Bleed valve

A radiator bleed valve is situated on one side at the top of the radiator. The valve is loosened with a special key.

Connecting valve tailpieces

This is the connection between the handwheel and lock-shield valves and the radiator.

Latest News
0

Potential DIY home improvement trends for 2023

1

Is Christmas a good time for DIY?

0

Design trends for 2022 and 2023

0

Product Review: Handsaws

Popular Guides

Average cost to lay turf

Average cost of a loft conversion

Average ready-mix concrete cost

Average cost of a hot tub

Popular Projects

Extending electrical circuits

4 tips to help create an illusion of natural light

Using a glue gun

How to sand a floor

Recent Comments
  • Vic on Is Christmas a good time for DIY?
  • Anonymous on Average air source heat pump cost (2022)
  • Reggie on Prepare your home for moth season
DIY Categories
Bathroom
Building, brickwork and masonry
Ceilings
Cleaning
Concrete work
Damp, rot and infestation
Drains
Electrical
Fireplaces
Floors
Garden
Heating
Insulation
Kitchen
Lighting
Lofts
Painting and decorating
Plasterwork
Plumbing
Roof and guttering
Safety
Security
Tiling
Walls
Windows
Woodwork

Self Build Guide
How to find a building plot
Evaluating a building plot (2023)
How to get a self build mortgage
Self build construction options
Self build architect and design considerations (2023)
Self build planning permission and legal consents
© 2023 lets do diy ltd | ebuild
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT