Valves Guide
Valves control water flow, pressure, and direction in plumbing systems. This category includes shut-off valves (ball, gate, globe), check valves (preventing backflow), pressure-reducing valves, temperature and pressure relief valves, mixing valves, and specialty valves for specific applications. Valve types are selected based on function, flow characteristics, pressure requirements, and installation location. Key specifications include valve size, connection type (threaded, soldered, compression, push-fit), pressure rating, and material construction (brass, bronze, stainless steel, PVC). Common applications include fixture isolation, main water line control, water heater safety, and backflow prevention.
Types of Valves 4
View All Valves TypesExplore the different types of valves to find the best option for your needs and budget.
Ball Valves
Use a rotating ball with a bore to control flow. Quarter-turn operation provides quick, reliable shut-off. The most common residential shut-off valve.
Read MoreCheck Valves
Allow water to flow in one direction only, preventing backflow. Essential for protecting water supply from contamination.
Read MoreMixing Valves
Blend hot and cold water to deliver a safe, consistent temperature. Thermostatic models automatically adjust to prevent scalding.
Read MorePressure Reducing Valves
Automatically reduce incoming water pressure to a safe, consistent level. Protect plumbing fixtures and appliances from damage caused by high pressure.
Read MoreValves Brands 19
View All Valves BrandsBrowse trusted valves brands known for quality, reliability, and innovation.
Apollo
Apollo manufactures a comprehensive range of commercial and residential ball valves, check valves, backflow preventers, and pressure-reducing valves in brass, bronze, and stainless steel. Their products are widely specified by plumbing contractors and engineers for reliability and code compliance.
Read MoreBell & Gossett
B&G produces circuit setters, triple duty valves, suction diffusers, and automatic flow control valves designed for precise flow management in commercial hydronic systems.
Read MoreBrassCraft
BrassCraft manufactures water supply stop valves (straight and angle), gas ball valves, and gas connectors that are the go-to choice for plumbing professionals. Their multi-turn and quarter-turn shut-off valves are widely available and known for reliable, leak-free performance.
Read MoreCaleffi
Caleffi manufactures Italian-engineered pressure reducing valves, thermostatic mixing valves, zone valves, backflow preventers, air separators, and expansion vessels for hydronic heating/cooling and domestic plumbing systems. Their 535H Series PRV and 521 Series mixing valves are widely specified in commercial and residential applications.
Read MoreCash Acme
Cash Acme manufactures ASME and CSA-certified temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valves, water pressure reducing valves (PRVs), thermal expansion tanks, and backflow preventers. Their products are essential safety components for water heaters, boilers, and residential/commercial plumbing systems, protecting against dangerous pressure buildup and thermal expansion.
Read MoreDanfoss
Danfoss manufactures thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs), hydronic balancing valves, pressure-independent control valves, and zone valves for HVAC and hydronic plumbing systems. Their products are widely specified in commercial buildings, district energy systems, and high-efficiency residential heating installations.
Read MoreFebco
Febco manufactures backflow prevention assemblies including reduced pressure zone (RPZ) devices, double check valve assemblies, pressure vacuum breakers, and atmospheric vacuum breakers. Their 765 PVB and 825Y RPZ are among the most widely specified backflow preventers in the US for irrigation, commercial, and fire protection systems.
Read MoreGiacomini
Giacomini manufactures thermostatic radiator valves, zone valves, balancing valves, pressure reducing valves, and mixing valves for hydronic heating and plumbing systems. Their R470 and R401 series are widely used in radiant floor heating installations.
Read MoreHoneywell
Honeywell manufactures motorized zone valves for hydronic heating systems, thermostatic mixing valves, water leak detection and automatic shut-off systems (Lyric Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detector), and pressure/temperature relief valves. Their V8043 zone valve is one of the most widely installed in residential hydronic systems.
Read MoreKITZ
KITZ manufactures a comprehensive range of valves for plumbing, HVAC, and industrial applications including brass and bronze ball valves, gate valves, globe valves, check valves, and butterfly valves. Their brass ball valves are widely specified in residential and commercial water supply systems for their precision engineering, low torque operation, and long cycle life.
Read MoreMilwaukee Valve
Milwaukee Valve manufactures ball valves, butterfly valves, gate valves, globe valves, check valves, and strainers in bronze, iron, and stainless steel. Their products serve plumbing, HVAC, fire protection, and industrial markets. The Ultra-Pure line is designed specifically for potable water applications with NSF/ANSI 61 certification.
Read MoreMueller
Mueller manufactures gate valves, butterfly valves, tapping valves, and service brass for municipal water distribution systems. Their Resilient Wedge Gate Valves and A-2360 Improved tapping machines are industry standards.
Read MoreNIBCO
NIBCO produces ball valves, butterfly valves, check valves, gate valves, and globe valves in bronze, brass, iron, and stainless steel for plumbing, HVAC, fire protection, and industrial applications.
Read MoreRed-White Valve
Red-White Valve manufactures ball valves, gate valves, globe valves, check valves, butterfly valves, and Y-strainers in brass, bronze, stainless steel, and cast iron for plumbing, HVAC, fire protection, and industrial systems.
Read MoreTaco
Taco zone valves and mixing valves for hydronic heating and domestic hot water temperature control systems.
Read MoreWatts
Watts backflow preventers, pressure reducing valves, temperature and pressure relief valves, check valves, and mixing valves for plumbing safety.
Read MoreWebstone
Webstone isolator valves, Pro-Pal ball valves, expansion tanks, and Pro-Connect press fittings for modern plumbing systems.
Read MoreWilkins
Wilkins backflow preventers, pressure reducing valves, and water pressure regulators for residential and commercial water safety and code compliance.
Read MoreZurn
Zurn commercial flush valves, backflow preventers, pressure regulators, sensor faucets, and mixing valves for institutional and commercial plumbing systems.
Read MoreCommon Valves Problems 3
View All Valves ProblemsCommon valves problems and how to diagnose and fix them.
Stuck Shut-Off Valve
Usually discovered during an emergency -- something is leaking and the valve will not budge. Older gate valves seize after years of disuse. Fix ranges from penetrating oil and patience to full replacement.
Read MoreLeaking Valve Stem
Water dripping from around the valve handle or packing nut -- packing failure, not a pipe leak. Fix is usually tightening the nut or replacing the packing, often with the water still on.
Read MorePRV Failure -- High Water Pressure
Failing PRV lets dangerously high pressure into the house. Bursts supply lines, damages appliances, causes hammer, shortens fixture life, leaks everywhere. Normal is 40-60 PSI. Above 80 is dangerous and needs immediate attention.
Read MoreValves How-To Guides 3
View All Valves GuidesStep-by-step how-to guides for valves maintenance, repair, and installation.
How to Replace a Shut-Off Valve
Swap a stuck, leaking, or unreliable shut-off valve for a modern quarter-turn ball valve -- compression, threaded, and push-fit connections all covered.
Read MoreHow to Adjust a Pressure Reducing Valve
Test your water pressure, find the PRV on your main line, and adjust it to a safe 50-60 PSI -- before high pressure wears out your fixtures, appliances, and water heater.
Read MoreHow to Fix a Leaking Gate Valve
Stop a dripping gate valve stem -- tighten the packing nut, replace the packing, or swap the whole valve for a ball valve, depending on what the situation calls for.
Read MoreValves Installation & Replacement
View All →Valve installation requires shutting off the water supply and typically involves cutting pipe, preparing connections, and testing for leaks. The connection method depends on both the valve and your existing pipe material.
Replacing a Fixture Shut-Off Valve
Turn off the main water supply, drain the line, remove the old valve (compression, solder, or threaded), install the new valve with proper connection method, restore water, and check for leaks.
Read MoreInstalling a Pressure Reducing Valve
Install on the main water line after the meter and before the first branch. Requires two shut-off valves (upstream and downstream), proper orientation, and pressure gauge for adjustment. Set to 50-60 PSI.
Read MoreThermostatic Mixing Valve Installation
Install at the water heater outlet to blend hot and cold water to a safe delivery temperature (typically 120 degrees F). Allows the tank to store water at higher temperatures for Legionella prevention while delivering safe temperatures.
Read MoreMain Water Shut-Off Valve Upgrade
Replace an old gate valve with a modern full-port ball valve for reliable main water shutoff. Requires coordination with the water utility for meter-side shutoff during the swap. A critical upgrade for older homes.
Read MoreValves Maintenance
View All →Valves that sit unused for years can seize, corrode, or fail when you need them most. Periodic exercising and inspection keeps valves operational and prevents emergency situations.
Exercising Shut-Off Valves
Turn every shut-off valve in your home fully closed and fully open twice a year to prevent seizure. This applies to fixture valves, main shut-off, and outdoor hose bibs. Mark each valve with a tag for identification.
Read MorePRV Testing & Adjustment
Check your water pressure annually with a gauge on a hose bib. If pressure exceeds 80 PSI, your PRV may need adjustment or replacement. PRVs typically last 7-12 years. A failed PRV can damage fixtures and cause pipe leaks.
Read MoreT&P Relief Valve Testing
Test your water heater's temperature and pressure relief valve annually by lifting the lever briefly. Water should flow freely and stop when released. A valve that doesn't operate or drips constantly needs immediate replacement.
Read MoreValve Leak Repair
Packing nut leaks on gate and globe valves can often be fixed by tightening the packing nut or replacing the packing material. Ball valve stem leaks usually require full valve replacement. Know when to repair vs replace.
Read MoreValves Cost Guide
View All →Individual valves are inexpensive, but they are some of the most critical components in your plumbing system. A failed shut-off valve during an emergency can turn a small leak into major water damage.
Valve Prices by Type
Compression angle stops: $5-$15. Quarter-turn ball valves: $8-$30. Full-port brass ball valves: $15-$50. Pressure reducing valves: $40-$150. Check valves: $10-$60. Thermostatic mixing valves: $80-$300. T&P relief valves: $10-$30.
Read MoreInstallation & Replacement Labor
Fixture shut-off valve replacement: $75-$200. PRV installation: $200-$500. Main shut-off valve upgrade: $200-$600. Mixing valve: $150-$400. Emergency valve replacement during a leak: add $100-$200 for urgency.
Read MoreWhole-House Valve Upgrade
Replacing all old gate valves with quarter-turn ball valves throughout a home costs $500-$2,000 depending on the number of valves and accessibility. A worthwhile investment for homes with 30+ year old plumbing.
Read MoreCost of Valve Failure
A stuck main shut-off valve during a pipe burst means you can't stop water flow until the utility arrives — potentially hours. Water damage from a 15-minute uncontrolled leak averages $3,000-$8,000. A $20 ball valve prevents this.
Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best type of shut-off valve?
Quarter-turn ball valves are the best for shut-off applications. They provide full-bore flow when open, reliable positive shutoff when closed, and operate with a simple 90-degree turn. They are far more reliable than older gate valves which can seize or fail to seal completely.
How do I know if my PRV is failing?
Signs of PRV failure include water pressure above 80 PSI (check with a gauge), pressure fluctuations, a humming or vibrating noise from the valve, or visible dripping from the valve body. PRVs typically last 7-12 years and should be proactively replaced.
Should I replace gate valves with ball valves?
Yes, when the opportunity arises. Gate valves are the leading cause of 'I can't shut off the water' emergencies. They corrode internally, seize from disuse, and often fail to fully close. Ball valves are more reliable, easier to operate, and last longer.
What is a thermostatic mixing valve?
A TMV blends hot and cold water to deliver a consistent, safe temperature. It allows your water heater to store water at 140 degrees F (killing Legionella bacteria) while delivering water at 120 degrees F (preventing scalding). Required by code in many jurisdictions for new construction.
How often should I test my T&P relief valve?
Test the temperature and pressure relief valve on your water heater at least once per year. Lift the lever for 2-3 seconds — water should flow freely through the discharge pipe. If it doesn't operate or won't reseat (keeps dripping), replace it immediately.
What water pressure should my home have?
Ideal residential water pressure is 40-60 PSI. The maximum recommended by most plumbing codes is 80 PSI. Above 80 PSI, you need a pressure reducing valve to protect pipes, fittings, fixtures, and appliances from stress and premature failure.