Water valves - conventional or quarter turn ball valves? (washers, sink, installed)

[AksarbeN]

Which are better - ball valves or conventional water valves for under the sink to turn off water? About eight or ten years ago I replaced most all of the values with the new quarter turn ball valves in the house. Last week I discovered that four out of six that I checked failed to turn because of mineral buildup on the inside that restricted the ball from turning closed. I had to replace those four and when I did I choose the older conventional valve. I still have several more that need to be replaced but I’m wondering which is better to have for replacement?

[MidValleyDad]

If mineral build up is damaging the ball **** valves why do you think conventional will be better? I think they are even more succeptable to mineral buildup. regular use is the best preventative

[Sherifftruman]

Conventional (gate) valves are junk compared to ball valves. The gate will often get stuck closed or worse almost all the way closed leaving you screwed when you need the valve the most.

Minerals can cause damage in many places in the plumbing system so you'd be better off dealing with that.

[M3 Mitch]

I agree with Dad and the Sheriff - the ball valves are technically superior to a gate valve, in that they shut off more positively and that they can close quicker if needed. There are many levels of quality, you might have got some "cheapies" initially.

Your real problem IMHO is that you need a whole-house water softener. As the man says "Try it, you'll like it!"

In the mean time, cycling the valves once a month, or at least once a year, should keep them working despite the mineral buildup.

[K'ledgeBldr]

I'll take the ball valve over what's behind door number 2 any day!

[chet everett]

The alternative to a ball valve / quarter turn shut off valve is NOT a "gate valve" which is a VERY costly and specialized bit of plumbing,

BUT a STOP valve that has a rather small area through which water flows:



In contrast a ball valve has a flow port that is essentially unobstructed --

Combined with the much more durable construction and essentially zero-wear against the stem that is NOT exposed to the water, the minor cost increase makes for a MUCH smarter choice of shut off even though it might be a few dollars more OR17X-C - Brasscraft OR17X-C - 1/2" FIP x 3/8" O.D. Compr. Angle Stop Valve, Lead Free (Chrome Plated) vs KTR15X-C - Brasscraft KTR15X-C - 3/8" FIP x 3/8" O.D. Compr. Angle Stop Valve, (Chrome)


Of course if you NEVER actually operate the valve it can become "frozen" not just because minerals but because the packing has kind of gotten "embedded" in the seat -- the "bonnett" can be adjusted to try to overcome this -- Stuck Shut-offs | Plumbing | Plumbing, HVAC & Electrical | This Old House

[Threerun]

1/4 turn ball valves are much, much better than gate valves..

[AksarbeN]

I’ve heard the same good things before I installed the ball valves years ago, however I’ve never had a problem with the old conventional ones, although I did have to replace washers at times. The ball valves that I used before were bought at the well-known “bigbox” depot store; and when I needed to turn off the water the shaft holding the handle simply broke. I didn’t apply any heavy pressure when this happened – it just snapped off and water started coming out. Could it be a manufacture issue? I wasn’t happy with so many failures all in one day and as I said, I’ve never had a problem with the old type.

[engineman]

I had 2 different plumbers tell me I was better off with the old fashioned valves than with ball valves. Could this be because of local water and minerals?

[arleigh]

Ball valves are what we us on industrial equipment.