8 Types Of Valves Used In Plumbing: Uses, Advantages & Disadvantages

In this article, I will share with you the different types of valves used in plumbing, their uses, advantages and disadvantages.

Valves are essential when it comes to plumbing since they make work easier in either cutting the supply of water in a certain line or admitting water to a different line.

You will find valves in water distribution networks and they all have different purposes in that system.

You might like this: Water Distribution System: Types, Requirements And Methods

These are some of the common functions of the valves;

They are used to regulate the flow of water in distribution systems.

They regulate the pressure of water in the distribution system.
They are also used to allow or release air into the pipes.
They are used to direct water flow in a certain direction as per requirements.

These are just the general functions of these valves but let us look into individual valves and explore them further.

Types of valves used in plumbing;

1. Sluice valves.

Another name for sluice valves is gate valves or stop valves. The main function of these valves is to control the flow of water through pipes.

They are usually fixed at both sides of intersection when pipelines meet.

When the sluice valves are shut off the supply of water is cut off in certain lines to allow repairs to take place.

The flow of water can be controlled by either raising or lowering the wheel.

This makes these valves suitable for various applications that I will be talking about soon enough.

These are some of the recommended uses of sluice valves;

Sluice valves are used in fully opened or closed pipelines.
They are suitable in non-throttling areas of applications.
They are used in pipelines that have infrequent operations.

They are also recommended in lines that require minimal trapping of fluid.

Applications of sluice valves;

These are some of the areas where the sluice valves are used;

The sluice valves are used to control the flow of liquid in oil pipelines.
They are used in gas pipelines.
They are used in heavy liquid pipelines.

They are used in pipelines that handle corrosive liquids.
Sluice valves are used in handling non-condensing gases.
Their capabilities enables them to be used in handling steam pipelines.

Advantages of using sluice valves;

These are some of the advantages of using sluice valves in your pipelines;

Sluice valves have a higher capacity when it comes to control of flow of liquid within a pipeline.

They have a tight shutoff and that is why they are recommended in pipeline intersections.
The cost of sluice valves is lower and that is why they are recommended.
Sluice valves offer little resistance to the flow of liquid thus maintaining the delivery head.

Disadvantages of using sluice valves;

These are some of the disadvantages you will come across when using sluice valves;

Sluice valves have poor control of liquid within the pipelines.

They cavitate at low-pressure drops and this affects the liquid pressure within pipelines.
If you want to use the sluice valves for throttling areas that will not be possible at all.

2. Globe valves.

Globe valves are used for shutoff and throttling services of liquid that has a high-pressure drop and high temperatures.

The globe valve can be operated manually by the use of a multi-turn hand wheel assembly.

This doesn’t mean that they can’t be automated, with multi-turn actuators you can automate the globe valve.

You can also use electro-hydraulic or linear stroke pneumatic actuators to automate the globe valves.

Point of recommended use of globe valves;

They can be used on throttling services and flow regulations of liquid.
They are suitable in pipe lines that have frequent operations due to their capacity.

Applications of globe valves;

The globe valves are used to shutoff and throttling services of liquid in the following areas;

They are used to handle liquids flows in pipelines.
They are suitable for handling corrosive substances.

They can handle vapour and gases pipes lines without a hassle.
They are also used in industry pipelines to control slurries.

Advantages of using globe valves;

These are some of the advantages of using globe valves;

They offer efficient throttling services.
They have accurate flow control in pipelines which makes them perfect for handling gases and vapour.

They are available in multiple ports depending on the use in the pipeline distribution system.

Disadvantages of using globe valves;

These are the disadvantages of using globe valves;

They cause a very high-pressure drop in the pipelines since they have accurate flow control.
They are very expensive than the other valves due to their higher efficiency.

3. Ball valves.

Ball valves are used to provide tight shutoff and they have a very higher capacity with quarter turn operation.

They can be easily actuated by pneumatic and electric actuators.

Their recommended point of use are;

They are used in pipeline areas where they can either be fully opened or closed.

They are used in areas where they offer limited throttling.
They are highly favourable in handling high-temperature liquid lines.

Applications of ball valves;

These are some of the applications of ball valves;

They are used in handling most of the liquids due to their tight shutoff.
They are used in slurries pipelines in industries.

They are used in handling liquids that are under higher temperatures in pipelines .

Advantages of using ball valves;

These are the advantages of using ball valves;

Ball valves are very cheap to purchase.
They provide a very lower leakage and maintenance of these valves is easier.
They provide a higher capacity when it comes to shutting off the pipeline.

They also provide a tight sealing with lower torque.

Disadvantages of using ball valves;

These are some of the disadvantages of using ball valves;

They provide very poor throttling characteristics thus they can’t be used for that services.
They are also prone to cavitation thus reducing the pressure of the liquid conveyed within the pipeline.

4. Butterfly valves.

Butterfly valves have a wide range of uses, they are can handle liquid that have a relatively low pressure drop, provide a shutoff and also be used in throttling services.

They are mainly used to control the pressure of a liquid and the flow, but due to their amazing capabilities, they are also used as control valves.

Their recommended point of use are;

They are used in fully opened or fully closed pipelines.

They can also provide throttling services in a pipeline.
They are used in pipelines that require minimal liquid trapping.

Application of butterfly valves;

These are some applications of butterfly valves;

They are used to handle slurries in industry pipelines.
They are preferred in pipelines that handle liquids with suspended materials due to their wide opening capacity.

They are used to handle liquids and gases in pipelines.

Advantages of using butterfly valves;

These are some advantages of using butterfly valves;

The initial cost and maintenance of the valves are very low.
They provide higher capacity in the points of applications.
They have amazing flow control of liquid within the pipelines.

They offer a low-pressure drop in the pipelines when operated.

Disadvantages of using butterfly valves;

These are some disadvantages of using butterfly valves in pipelines;

They require a higher torque during operation be it manually or automated.
They cavitate in lower flow within the pipelines.

5. Check valves or reflux valves.

These are the valves that only allow the flow of liquid in a specific direction.

When the liquid within the pipe line passes through the valve it opens it and once it has passed the valve it can’t flow back in any situation.

The back flow of water will be stopped since the backward movement of water will provide pressure to close the valve.

The valve can only be open with the pressure that goes in a specific direction and it doesn’t allow the reserve flow.

So, the flow can only be in one direction, if the pipeline intends to convey liquid forward then that will be the only direction.

6. Air valves.

These are automated valves, are mainly of two types;

Air inlet valves; are valves that open automatically to allow air into the pipe line so that to prevent negative pressure development in the pump.

The negative pressure within the pipeline can be expressed when the sluice valves are suddenly closed.

To avoid this situation, air inlet valves are situated along the pipelines.

Air relief valves; are valves that are used to remove air within the summit of pipelines.

When air accumulated within the pipeline it tends to block the flow of water.

To remove the air accumulated within the pipeline automated relief valves are employed.

The air valves consist of a chamber that has a float that is connected to the pipeline, it can be two or one floats.

This is the working principle of air relief valve;

When the pressure within the pipeline increases the water from the pipeline occupies the chamber and makes the float go up thus closing the outlet and preventing air from entering the pipeline thus decreasing the pressure within the pipeline.

But when there is an accumulation of air within the pipeline, air enters the chamber and makes the float come down thus opening the outlet and allowing air to leave the pipeline through the outlet.

7. Drain valves or blow-off valves.

Another name for the drain valve is wash out valve. They are mainly used at the dead ends and depression of pipelines to drain out stagnant water.

They are operated by hand when their use is required.

8. Scour valves.

The scour valves are also used on the dead ends and depression of pipes, but their function is to get rid of accumulated silt and sand from the pipeline.

They are operated by hand and when their use is done they are closed.

Thanks for reading, if you have any questions leave your comment. Also, if you have any additional points leave your comment.