The valve cranes are often the cause of small leaks. Therefore, now they are usually changed to more modern - balls. We tell how to choose a suitable model.
Photo: shutterstock / fotodom.ru
The valve cranes was installed at the inlet of the water supply in the home, as well as in all other places of the pipeline, where it was required from time to time to block the water supply or adjust the flow intensity (consumption). Due to the design features, the valve cranes begin to leak, through them even in a completely closed state, water seeps. And of course, they are no longer necessary to use as an input locking device on the water supply - you will not be able to completely cover the water for repair work. Therefore, it is better to change outdated structures at the first opportunity, without waiting for them to be rules.
They put ball valves for replacement, called so because their locking element has a spherical shape with a slot for water current. Ball cranes perfectly copble with work in the "open-closed" mode, but are not suitable for regulation and partial overlap of the water flow. In those places where the valve cranes are used to regulate water consumption (for example, in the system of radiator water heating), it is impossible to change their ball valves!
Choosing a ball crane
To install at the input plot of the water supply, it is extremely desirable to use the most reliable models of ball valves. The difference in price between "medium" and "good" crane is small, only 200-300 rubles. And the consequences of the crane exit may be much more costly. For example, there were cases where Chinese cranes simply burst without holding loads. Therefore, it is better to be restrained and acquired this element of equipment from well-known Italian or German manufacturers, for example Bugatti, Far, Oventrop. It is advisable to buy from authorized dealers (usually their coordinates are on the website of the company's Russian representative office), since the fakes are very common.The ball valve has many advantages over previously used valves with a gasket and a printed gland, which often faced the sealing elements of the shut-off part.
Choosing a crane, you need to know:
- Material of garbage pipes. Today it can be metallic, polymer and metal-plastic pipes;
- The diameter of the tap pipe. In metal pipes, it is usually ½ inches, less often ¾ in. Or 1 inch. In plastic and metalplastic pipes, there may be diameters, for example, 16, 20, 26, 32 mm;
- Thread type (external or internal).
For the convenience of the user, the design of the rotary handle is important. Console handle requires smaller effort when turning, but it can not be installed in a limited space; For such a situation, it is better to choose cranes with a butterfly handle.
Crane with a Sgon (American). Its design is supplemented with a so-called hemishagon - a connector with a coupling and a cape nut. Signs are used to dock metal water pipes.
Crane for connecting a washing machine and other household appliances. It can be both ball and valve taps, the design of which makes the most convenient connection of devices. For example, angular cranes, cranes-tees, taps with a fitting for connecting flexible hose, cranes with a built-in filter of mechanical water purification, etc.
Crane ball equation corner for connecting plumbing devices, carving outdoor-outer, ½ × ¾ inch (231 rub.). Photo: Leroy Merlin
Crane Ball Bugatti reinforced, with a Sgon, ¾ inch (American), Case Material - Wrought Brass CW617N, Outdoor-Inner Thread, Butterfly Handle. Operating temperature range from -20 to +120 ° C, water pressure up to 490 atm (585 rub.). Photo: Leroy Merlin
Crane ball equation, 1 inches, outdoor carving, outer, butterfly handle (545 rub.). Photo: Leroy Merlin
Base valve, 1 inch, housing material - brass, internal carving. Designed for water temperature up to 200 ° C and pressure up to 16 atm (385 rubles.). Photo: Leroy Merlin
ROYAL THERMO fittings. Crane ball, Optimal series, ½ inches, knob lever. Photo: Royal Thermo
Crane ball angular Optimal to connect plumbing devices, ½ × ¾ in. Photo: Royal Thermo
Crane ball, EXPERT series, ½ inches, butterfly handle. Photo: Royal Thermo
The Expert tee for connecting the washing machine, ½ × ¾ × ½ inches. Photo: Royal Thermo
Crane ball equation with fitting for flexible hoses or water set, ¾ inch, knob lever (315 rub.). Photo: Leroy Merlin
Crane shut-off-drainage Valtec for draining liquid from plumbing and heating systems, nickel-plated brass (254 rubles). Photo: Leroy Merlin
The valve cranes should be used where there is a need to adjust the flow rate. In addition, it is advisable to use them on the street, for example, in the household or at the entrance point of the summer water supply to the house. If necessary, overlap water for the winter, the choice of the valve crane is more preferable due to the design features of the ball shutter (in the ball valves there is always water, which can be climbed). Under normal conditions of use, the choice between these types is dictated by the client's preference. For example, there is a category of people who prefer to change the gaskets, instead of changing the resulting ball valve. Standard household crane, ball or valve, designed for use with loads up to 40 atm. For heavy operating conditions, for example, at high temperature or rigid water, manufacturers such as Bugatti offer a straight line with a nickel-plated brass coating, which provides them with additional corrosion protection.
Alexander Krasavin
Expert of the category "Water supply" of the network of hypermarkets "Lerua Merlen"
