Water Valves Maintenance

Water valves are the ones controlling and handling hot water, cold water, ground water potable water and/or wastewater. They are normally made of metal or plastic and that is why valves maintenance is a must. Although the metal valves are made of aluminum, brass, bronze, cast iron, ductile iron, copper, steel, or stainless steel and might seem more resistant that the plastic ones, usually made of acetal polymers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated PVC (CPVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), they still require some valves maintenance procedures in order to function properly.

These valves maintenance procedures vary according to the types of water valves. For instance, the ball valves which provide tight shut-offs, must be kept from forming bacterial colonies and that is why in case of sanitary use they are not that recommended. The butterfly valves, on the other hand, permit flow in any direction and require less valves maintenance procedure as they last longer in time.

However, before actually selecting among the various types of water valves one must also thing about the later valves maintenance that shall be needed. That is why the valves maintenance actually starts with an analysis of performance specifications, actuation methods and connection types. The performance specifications that shall be followed throughout the vales maintenance process may include valve size, pressure rating, number of ports or ways, media temperature, and valve flow coefficient, whereas actuation methods include manually activation, by a hand wheel or crank, or with mechanical devices such floats and cams, electric, pneumatic, electro-hydraulic, or electro-hydraulic methods.

Eventually, when you have your valves maintenance done by a professional, because this is obviously something you cannot do on your own, you have to remember to check whether the procedures are certified and follow the requirements of the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

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