Homeowners don’t need to be experts in plumbing, but they should at least have a basic familiarity with how their plumbing systems work. Your home’s plumbing consists of several components working together to bring your house clean water while taking waste water away. Among these many useful parts are residential water valves.
Water valves control the flow and temperature of water within your plumbing system, but they’re not all the same. Each has a unique job that helps control your home’s water supply.
The Different Types of Water Valves for Residential Plumbing Systems
Not all water valves operate the same way. Here are a few types you might see around your home and what they do:
Pressure Relief Valves
Pressure relief valves control the water pressure in your plumbing system. Since water from the municipal supply tends to have a higher pressure, these valves lower the water pressure for your home. That way, the water won’t damage your plumbing fixtures by exerting too much force.
Faucet Valves
As their name implies, faucet valves help control water flow from your bathroom and kitchen faucets. They also come in a few different forms, depending on their function:
- Cartridge valves: Two-handle sinks tend to have separate cartridge valves for hot and cold water. These valves have a moveable stem that makes it easy to control the flow of water from the faucet.
- Ceramic disc valves: These valves offer a more durable seal to prevent leaks and consist of two discs, one on top of the other.
- Compression valves: These are common in older sinks and more prone to leaks since they use rubber washers.
Ball Valves
Newer homes are more likely to have ball valves than older homes. You can typically find these residential water valves by the main water line, and they’re easy to spot thanks to their lever handles.
A lever handle stops the flow of water completely when you close it. You can tell when the valve is opened or closed by looking at the handle placement. If it’s parallel to the pipes, the valve is open; if it’s perpendicular, it’s closed.
FAQs About Residential Water Valves
Below are some of the most frequent questions we hear from homeowners about their water valves.
What Materials Do Water Valves Use?
Most homes have brass, stainless steel, plastic, bronze, galvanized pipe, or cast iron water valves.
Are There Other Types of Water Valves in Your Home’s Plumbing?
Yes, your home also has stop valves, shut-off valves, gate valves, and many others that help control water flow.
HomeX Plumbing & Rooter Has Your Residential Plumbing Solutions
Each type of water valve plays an important role in your home’s plumbing system. If you have more questions about residential water valves or need a timely, reliable service, call our HomeX Plumbing & Rooter team.
We proudly offer top-rated plumbing repair, installation, leak detection, and more. Call HomeX Plumbing & Rooter at (714) 426-9207 for service today!
