The Nature of Angle Valves
An angle valve is essentially a type of shut-off valve, meant to stop water. Its name comes from its angular bent, with the inlet and outlet posts being bent at a 90-degree angle to each other. Most water faucets and knobs today use angle valves, as they are designed to be turned 25 degrees in one direction to completely stop the flow of water. Before angle valves, stopping water flow meant repeatedly twisting the faucet knob. Angle valves have made the job much easier and quicker.
Components of an Angle Valve
An angle valve is made of relatively simple components which are all listed below.
Rotary Handle
The rotary handle is attached at the top. This is what you use to operate the valve. It is connected to a stem inside the valve’s body. The bottom of the stem connects to a disc that is attached to the valve’s body.
2. Body
The body houses the main mechanism of the valve. The inner mechanism is made up of the stainless steel mesh filter, the PTFE ball seal and the rubber O-ring that seals the PTFE ball and the mesh filter in place, and the inlet and outlet openings.
3. Inlet and Outlet Ports
Both ports are attached at to the body at 90 degrees. The bottom of the inlet valve meets the stainless steel mesh filter at the bottom to filter out any impurities from the water.
The Angle Valve’s Uses
Angle valves can be utilized in any situation that requires water shut-off, temperature and pressure regulation, and flow control. This versatility makes the valves useful in a variety of applications. The valve is effective for both water regulation and repair and replacement work.
Their main use of water regulation comes into play in a variety of appliances. You should use an angle valve for sink, water geyser, wash basin, and other fixtures and appliances that need valves to regulate and stop the flow of water. They are used to shut off or turn water supply, like an angle stop valve for sink purposes. A sink angle stop valve also controls water temperature and pressure. Angle valve sink usage is among to most common uses for angle valves. These valves are used equally at the industrial level.
Angle valves are also known for their unique versatility for repairing or replacing appliances or water pipes. Them having both inlet and outlet ports allows you to attach two water fixtures to a single water supply line. This feature also prevents potential leaks and or bursts. In case you need to repair or replace an appliance or pipe, the valve will simply shut off water supply to the relevant side of the pipeline. This eliminates the need to shut off water to the whole house.
Finding the Right Angle Valve
To ensure proper regulation of water flow and efficiency to prevent future repair work, the correct angle valve must be chosen for the correct application. This means considering things like material, size, quality, application type, and finish. Making a decision along these dimensions will keep you on the right track when buying angle valves.
Material
Angle valves are made of many different materials, including zinc alloy, cast iron and plastics. We recommend selecting angle valves made of brass, as they will be the most durable and last the longest.
2. Size
The size of the angle valve you buy should match your water supply line and the fixtures attached to it. ½” x ⅜” is the most common size for angle valves.
3. Quality
Make sure that you buy angle valves from reputable brands that are known for their quality control. A Kohler angle valve will be of exceptional quality.
4. Application
The type of angle valve you get will also depend on the type of application. They come in several configurations, including an angle stop valve, angle seat valve or seat valve, angle ball, pex angle, multi-turn, half-turn, and quarter-turn valve. Pick the right type of valve for its intended application.
5. Finish
Finishes are purely cosmetic, but you can still decide what valve to buy based on appearance. While a stainless steel finish works great with most aesthetics, you can also try brass or matte finishes.
Conclusion
Angle valves are vital for water flow regulation and efficient maintenance. Choose the right angle valve for the right operation so that your house runs smoothly. To ensure the durability and longevity of your valves, invest in brands like Kohler, which offer angle valves of impeccable quality.
FAQ
Q1. How can I maintain my angle valve?
The longevity of your angle valve depends on its build quality, its material, water quality, and its frequency of use. This is why it’s important to buy from choice brands like Kohler, who make high quality valves with durable materials.
Q2. What is the correct direction for an angle valve to be installed?
An arrow on the angle valve shows the flow direction that the valve should be placed in. Make sure to install the valve in the right direction to get proper water flow to the attached fixture.
Q3. How can an angle valve help replace an appliance?
Instead of shutting off water supply to your whole house, an angle valve shuts off water only to the water line connected to the appliance that needs replacing. This makes replacing any appliance very easy and efficient.
Q4. Besides brass, what other material makes for durable angle valves?
While brass is the best choice for durable and long-lasting valves, stainless steel is an excellent second option.
Q5. Where can I buy good quality angle valves?
Kohler provides exceptional quality angle valves, which can be bought directly from their website, or at your nearest Kohler showroom.
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