Plumbing Faucets And Valves
A valve is a device that regulates the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings. In an open valve, fluid flows in a direction from higher pressure to lower pressure.
Valves are quite diverse and may be classified into a number of basic types. Valves may also be classified by how they are actuated. For instance the compression valves, disk valves, ball valves, cartridge valves and the repairing valves.
Compression or stem type faucet – This is a two-handle faucet design. With a single faucet, you can enjoy both hot and cold water as per the requirement. You can tell a stem faucet by the way it feels when you turn it off. One can feel a rubber washer being squeezed inside the faucet. Compression valves possess o- rings beneath the faucet’s stem that tend to wear and tear with time.
Different compression valves have different stem designs however all utilizes the neoprene washers. The only cause for a leaky valve is a damaged washer.
Cartridge valve: Unlike compression valves, these are washer less and are operated by a single handle. One can locate them on the faucet body. When the handle of the valve is lifted, the valve’s stem raises thereby, aligning the holes with the cartridge. To mix the hot and cold water, you just need to twist the handle. Corroded washers generally cause leaks in the valve.
Disk valves are also without the washers. They are used mostly in single-handle kitchen sink faucets. These are also cylindrical in shape and are present in the faucet. This type of valve uses ceramic disks which fit exactly against each other, with every disk having a series of holes. It comprise of two hoses, one each for the hot and cold water.
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