Water control devices such as valves and regulators are used to efficiently and safely direct water through pipes and into homes. Types of valves include ball, gate, check, and temperature pressure relief (TPR) valves. A water pressure regulator is necessary to prevent damage to pipes and equipment. TPR valves are important safety devices on water heaters.
As water is drawn from its various sources and flows through a city’s complex maze of water pipes and utility lines and into homes and buildings, there are hundreds of water control devices at work. A combination of gravity and pumps produce the pressure that keeps water flowing, and dozens of types of valves and regulators direct and control the water efficiently and safely. Among the types of valves used are ball valves, gate valves, check valves, and temperature pressure relief (TPR) valves.
Every home and building should be equipped with at least one water pressure regulator. As the name suggests, this water safety device regulates the pressure in the water line. The regulator ensures that a system has sufficient pressure but keeps the pressure low enough to avoid damaging pipes and equipment.
Ball valves are among the simplest water control devices available. These valves are usually made of bronze and designed in a straightforward way. Inside the valve is a steel ball with a hole in the center. There is typically a straight handle on the valve body which, when turned, rotates the ball so that it either blocks water or allows it to flow through the hole.
The gate valve is one of the more familiar water control valves. A gate valve is what is typically used as a water valve, or faucet, on the outside of a home. Like check valves, gate valves are usually made of bronze. Instead of a ball, the gate valve uses a plate as a water control device. The flow of water is controlled by turning the knob on the valve, which raises and lowers the plate inside.
Check valves are used to control the direction of flow. Sometimes called one-way valves, these water control valves have a spring and ball, or poppet, in the center that keep the valve closed. When there is enough water pressure, the valve opens, letting the water through. When the pressure drops, the check valve closes again. Check valves are often used in irrigation and sprinkler systems to prevent pipes from draining when the water is turned off.
TPR valves are used as safety valves on water heaters. If the temperature or pressure in the tank exceeds safe levels, the TPR valve opens to release the water. This lowers the internal pressure and allows cold water to enter the tank, also lowering the temperature. Without a properly functioning TPR valve, a water heater could easily overheat or build up too much pressure, which could lead to a catastrophic explosion.
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