A Guide to Valves in Industrial Plumbing

Do you own a restaurant, or maybe an office park or hotel? These are just some examples of businesses that use industrial plumbing for better comfort, performance, and efficiency. This area of commercial plumbing involves work at a much larger scale than residential services. It relies on couplers, adapters, flanges, and valves. But what exactly is a valve in industrial plumbing?

Valves are used in industrial plumbing for various purposes, such as regulating water temperature and controlling or restricting water flow. Additionally, some valves control water pressure and direction, allowing water to redirect or move in multiple directions simultaneously.

Delve into the world of commercial plumbing, including a more in-depth review of what is a valve in industrial plumbing, how they work, why they’re essential, and the different types.

What is an Industrial Plumbing Valve? What does it do?

Industrial valves are commonly used in commercial plumbing applications. At its most basic, a commercial plumbing valve serves several functions, such as stopping or reducing water flow. Let’s delve deeper into the topic of valves so that you can gain a better understanding of your industrial piping system and its capabilities.

Stop Waterflow

The turn of a valve can stop water from flowing through your industrial plumbing system. And why would you want that to happen? It’s valuable in emergencies, such as a severe leak/flood or if the entire plumbing system fails.

Allowing water to continue traveling unmitigated in those scenarios would be catastrophic.

Limit Reverse Waterflow

Check valves are essential for allowing the flow of water in only one direction. This prevents the water from flowing back, controlling the amount of liquid that can flow in reverse and avoiding dangerous backflow situations.

Reduce Waterflow

Many scenarios require limiting the flow of water in your commercial plumbing system. For instance, if your plumber suspects something may be amiss with your system or wishes to balance it, they must temporarily limit the water supply.

Regulate the Temperature

Industrial plumbing valves can control the amount of water that flows along cooling lines if you want your water warmer. If you prefer cooler temperatures, you can adjust the valve as needed.

Adjust Water Pressure

Too much pressure can be risky for your entire plumbing system, straining the pipes tremendously. However, too little pressure feels like using a trickle of water every time you turn on the taps. Fortunately, industrial plumbing valves, especially relief valves, are excellent at pressure control.

Change Waterflow Direction

Valves in industrial plumbing can also redirect fluid flow, sending it toward a multi-way valve that flows in different directions. Besides liquids, some three-way valves also use gas, which the valve can divert or combine with another substance.

The Types of Valves Used in Industrial Plumbing

Not all industrial plumbing valves are the same; some are geared more toward specific usages than others. Check out this overview of each kind, including the purpose of the valve and its components.

This video also presents a handy overview of valves and what they do:

Butterfly Valves

Butterfly valves are quarter-turn valves that operate via a rotating disk. The internal disk mechanism in the valve body connects to a stem or handle. Turning the handle can reduce water flow by closing or opening the valve, either partially or entirely.

So, why is it called a butterfly valve? When using the disk, this valve takes on a butterfly-like appearance. Otherwise, these valves are short, lightweight, and compact, although you can’t use one without an accompanying gasket. The valve can last long, but the gasket won’t.

While plumbers appreciate the butterfly valve’s affordability and size, water pressure will likely decrease once the disk gets wet.

See the butterfly valve do its thing here:

Ball Valves

Perhaps the ball valve is the most popular, like this ¾-inch model from Eastman. The components here include a body, cap, stem, and a ball situated in a seat. Ball valves also have ergonomic handles for rotating. Turning the handle will open or close the valve to allow water out or to stop it from flowing.

You can tell the valve is closed because the pipe and hole are perpendicular to one another. The ball that gave this valve its name moves over the hole to stop the water flow.

Inexpensive, easy to use (even for beginner plumbers), and incredibly durable, ball valves check many boxes. In some instances when using them, water flow issues can arise, primarily if the valve is operating at 45 degrees.

Check Valves

You might recall a mention of check valves earlier. Let’s discuss them in a little more detail now.

A check valve ensures that water flows in the correct direction. This prevents backflows and cross-connections, which occur when wastewater enters the clean water supply.

The exciting part about check valves is that they work in one of several ways. Some include a spring-mounted disk or diaphragm, while others have a flapper for swing checks that sends water in the opposite direction. Others still include a ball that covers the hole, like a ball valve.

Most check valves work automatically, meaning they’re activated through physics and don’t always require human intervention.

Stop Valves

Stop valves are available in two configurations: straight or angled. As the name suggests, a stop valve is meant to stop the water flow. While many valves are designed to control flow, this type is specifically designed for the purpose of stopping the flow of water.

Stop valves are commonly used in industrial plumbing applications, as well as in residential plumbing for toilets and sinks.

When plumbing fixtures are in a straight line, a straight stop valve is used. If the fixtures are not aligned, an angled stop valve is used instead. Some stop valves operate via gate, some via globe, and others via ball.

Globe Valves

A globe valve has a traditional design with a large hand wheel at the top, a stem, and dual openings. Here’s how it works: a stopper within the valve moves to cover the baffle. When that happens, water can’t exit.

Although recommended for throttling, one of the most significant downsides of globe valves is that they operate slowly.

Gate Valves

Finally, there are gate valves. This type is used more than any other valve in residential and industrial plumbing systems. Gate valves look like globe-style valves, with a hand wheel, stem, bonnet, and body.

The main difference is that a gate valve has a disc or wedge, known as a gate, that you can open or close by turning the handle. Opening the gate shuts off the water flow, not changing the water pressure or flow.

Take a look at this video to see a gate valve in action:

Conclusion

What is a valve in industrial plumbing? It’s a tool that can limit, stop, or redirect water flow. Valves come in different types for various purposes, such as ball valves, allowing water pressure and flow to remain consistent and reliable for your business.

Do you have any questions for our experts at Simlecco? Leave a comment down below!