Pros and Cons of Different Types of Water Valves

Valves are mechanical gadgets used to control, direct and manage the water flow by opening, shutting or partially obstructing the flow. They can be of various materials like bronze, PVC, metal and so on. A water valve is used for different purposes in different applications.

This article will talk about the five significant types of valves along with their pros and cons. 

1. Gate Valve 
   Gate valve is the kind of valve most widely used in plumbing frameworks. It has a wedge-shaped metal gate that can be lowered down to stop the flow of water or raised to allow the flow to continue. This valve is also used for irrigation, thus, known as an irrigation valve.
   
   
   Gate valves can't control the different water flows as they are designed to be completely opened or completely shut. Whenever used to change the water flow, it can destroy the valves. These valves are utilised for the circulation of all types of fluids, like air, fuel gas, feedwater, steam, lube oil and hydrocarbons.
   
   
   Gate valves are further classified into various kinds as mentioned below:
   
   
   -Solid wedge gate valve
   -OS&Y gate valve or rising stem valve
   -Split wedge or parallel disks gate valve
   -Flexible wedge gate valve
   -Non-rising stem gate valve or insider screw valve
   
   
   Pros of Gate Valves
   -The gate inside the valve retracts into the body, because of which the valve doesn't hinder the water flow.
   -They are also operated with an electric current like the solenoid valve.
   -Because of the lethargic opening and shutting of the valve, the water pressure is continuously altered, which shields the pipe from the banging sound of the water hammer.
   
   
   Cons of Gate Valves
   -Because of repeated use, the valve's seat can wear out, consequently weakening the valve's seal and reducing the valve's efficiency.
   -The raising and lowering down of the valve is tedious as it is manually working.
   
   
2. Butterfly Valve
   This valve has a turning metal circle that allows and inhibits the water stream, creating a butterfly-like image, because of which it is known as a butterfly valve. These valves are lighter, compact and shorter than other different types.
   
   
   Below are the different kinds of butterfly valves:
   
   
   -Double offset butterfly valve
   -Triple offset butterfly valve
   -Wafer type closes
   -Flanged ends
   -Lug type closes
   -Butt-welded types end
   -Zero offset butterfly valve
   
   
   Pros of Butterfly Valves
   -Butterfly valves are lighter and more affordable.
   -Because of their compact size, they are prevalent in industrial applications.
   
   
   Cons of Butterfly Valves
   -Butterfly valves depend on a gasket that ultimately needs to be replaced.
   -The butterfly circle directs the flow that exists in the water, because of which pressure drop is observed.
   -Butterfly valves are less solid and slower to work.
   
   
3. Ball Valve
   Ball valves are the most dependable and common type of valves used to manage the flow of water. It involves a pivoting circle with a hole connected to a switch handle to operate the valve.
   
   
   In an open position, the hole in the circle is in line with the pipe, allowing the water to flow through it. When in a closed position, the hole in the circle is opposite to the pipes, accordingly restricting the water stream. The switch handle also serves as an indicator of whether the valve is open or shut. At the point when the switch is opposite to the pipe, the valve is closed.
   
   
   Here are different kinds of ball valves:
   
   
   -3-way ball valve
   -Trunnion mounted ball valve
   -Three-piece body
   -Floating ball valve
   -Side-entry or split body
   
   
   Pros of Ball Valves
   -They give a brilliant seal in a closed position.
   -Ball valves are lighter and more modest than gate valves of a similar size and rating.
   
   
   Cons of Ball Valves
   -Ball valves don't allow precise stream control because they have positive stops (0, 45, 90 degrees). 
   
   
4. Globe Valve
   The globe valve is used to manage or restrict the water stream in plumbing applications, where the flow changed consistently.
   
   
   The inside design contains a plug on the end of a valve stem raised and brought down by the valve's twist knob. Globe valves get their name because of the globe-like or ball-like appearance of their body.
   
   
   The globe valves are suitable for regulating water flow; therefore, they’re commonly used for outside faucets (hose bibs) and similar applications.
   
   
   Here are different sorts of globe valves:
   
   
   -Z types
   -Y types
   -Point types
   
   
   Pros of Globe Valves
   
   
   -Globe valves are utilised where the water flow changed consistently and need to adjust regularly.
   -They are easy to maintain and have effective throttling and shutoff capacities.
   
   
   Cons of Globe Valves
   -Globe valves can't work in completely open conditions as the baffle restricts the flow.
   
   
5. Pressure Relief Valve
   Pressure relief valves are used in the plumbing system to reduce the water pressure as far as possible, like pneumatic valve handle airflow. The mechanism comprises a spring and diaphragm adjusted to a specific limit, depending upon the pressure of the water supply.
   
   
   These valves are also called pressure-decreasing valves, pressure safety valves and pressure balance valves.
   
   
   Kinds of pressure relief valves:
   
   
   -Reclosing-type pressure relief devices
   -Non-reclosing type pressure relief devices
   -Vacuum relief valve
   -Safety relief valve
   -Pressure vacuum relief valve
   
   
   Pros of Pressure Relief Valves
   
   
   -These valves are very reliable if properly sized and operated.
   -They are versatile and can be utilised in different services, for example, fire fighting, tall structures, water towers, drinking water applications and water tanks.
   
   
   Cons of Pressure Relief Valves 
   -Relieve pressure in pipelines, which is caused due to backpressure.
   -Powerless whenever the backpressure is excessively high.

As said earlier, a water valve is a gadget to control water flow in different applications. These valves help in industrial fluid flow and control the water following the needs. Hopefully, after reading the types of water valves and their pros and cons, you must have understood which one you should employ.