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Ball valve longevity

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Handsome Daddy

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Feb 8, 2023, 6:45:07 PM2/8/23
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How long would you expect a pegler full bore lever operated ball valve to last if not operated?
I need to re plumb couple of radiators and draining down complete system is a real pain. Im thinking i can put ball valves on pipe work and once completed turn on and leave on. It will be under a tiled suspended floor so not easily accessible for repair afterwards. Would I be better to cap off complete work and then freeze and use compression coupler to rejoin?

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For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/uk-diy/ball-valve-longevity-3278507-.htm

HomeOwnersHub Advisor

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Feb 8, 2023, 7:15:07 PM2/8/23
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I understand you're asking about the longevity of a Pegler full bore lever operated ball valve that won't be operated. To address your concern, here's my best advice:

+ Consider the environment: Ball valves are made of materials that can deteriorate over time, so it's important to consider the environment they will be in. If the valves are in a damp, humid, or corrosive environment, they may not last as long as they would in a dry, protected area.
+ Make sure the valve is suitable: Ball valves are designed for certain applications, so make sure that the type you've chosen is suitable for your specific needs. For example, if you're using the valve in a high-pressure system, make sure it's rated for that type of pressure.
+ Operate the valve regularly: If you're not going to be operating the valve, it's still a good idea to do so regularly. This will help keep the valve in good working order and prevent it from seizing up or becoming difficult to operate.
+ Consider the size of the valve: The size of the valve you choose can also impact its longevity. If the valve is too small, it may not last as long as a larger valve, as it will have to work harder to control the flow of water.
+ Maintenance: Regular maintenance of your ball valve is important to keep it in good working order. This includes checking the valve for leaks, tightening any loose parts, and cleaning the valve if necessary.

Given the information above, I would advise you to cap off the work and then freeze and use a compression coupler to rejoin. This will be the simplest and most economical solution, as it will reduce the risk of damaging the valve or the surrounding pipes.

Tools you'll need:

+ Compression coupler
+ Freeze kit
+ Pipe cutter or hacksaw
+ Adjustable spanner or wrench


Good luck!

Rod Speed

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Feb 8, 2023, 8:06:27 PM2/8/23
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On Thu, 09 Feb 2023 11:15:04 +1100, HomeOwnersHub Advisor
<369a6e9a872bbfd3...@example.com> wrote:

GPTai is back.

Peeler

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Feb 9, 2023, 3:55:36 AM2/9/23
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On Thu, 09 Feb 2023 12:06:08 +1100, cantankerous trolling geezer Rodent
Speed, the auto-contradicting senile sociopath, blabbered, again:

<FLUSH the abnormal trolling senile cretin's latest trollshit unread>

--
Sqwertz to Rodent Speed:
"This is just a hunch, but I'm betting you're kinda an argumentative
asshole.
MID: <ev1p6ml7ywd5$.d...@sqwertz.com>

alan_m

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Feb 9, 2023, 4:40:53 AM2/9/23
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On 09/02/2023 00:15, HomeOwnersHub Advisor wrote:

Snip
More useless advice from the Home Owners Hub computer bot "Advisor"
giving very general unhelpful and perhaps impractical advice but not
answering the question. However, it's probably a good policy not to
answer the question with practical solutions as the majority of users of
that web site will never find the thread again let alone see the answers.

Perhaps the home Owners Hub Wiki needs to be updated to warn about the
number of messages now being automatically generated by their "Advisor"
computer.

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mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

Tim+

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Feb 9, 2023, 5:14:07 AM2/9/23
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Handsome Daddy <671b2ed02a441d47...@example.com> wrote:
> How long would you expect a pegler full bore lever operated ball valve to
> last if not operated?
> I need to re plumb couple of radiators and draining down complete system
> is a real pain. Im thinking i can put ball valves on pipe work and once
> completed turn on and leave on. It will be under a tiled suspended floor
> so not easily accessible for repair afterwards. Would I be better to cap
> off complete work and then freeze and use compression coupler to rejoin?
>

I wouldn’t use ball valves in your situation. What kind of CH system do you
have, open vented (with a header tank) or sealed?

If the latter, if you depressurise the system first you won’t lose much
water when you cut a pipe. Once cut, use a re-useable stop end fitting (eg
https://plumbinbits.co.uk/product/speedfit-stop-end-15mm-pse4615w/? ) to
stop any dribbling. To remake, use plastic speedfit or brass compression
fittings, whichever you’re most comfortable with.

If it’s an open vented system, you can buy (or improvise) bungs for the
header tank outlet and vent pipe to effectively seal your system so that
water doesn’t flood out when you cut a pipe.

Tim

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John Rumm

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Feb 9, 2023, 5:44:31 AM2/9/23
to
On 08/02/2023 23:45, Handsome Daddy wrote:
> How long would you expect a pegler full bore lever operated ball valve
> to last if not operated?

While some seam to have problems with ball valves, I tend to find them
OK - especially if you buy decent ones.

You tend to get one of two problems, they either weep around the shaft
when operated (but usually only when open), or they let by slightly when
closed. The shaft weeping I have only seen on budget screwdriver
operated isolation valves, not on decent lever or butterfly handle
operated ones. The let by problem is far less common, and does not
really mater for this application anyway.

I have used leaver valves for drain down controls on CH systems (valve
inside - pipe running through a wall to drain over a gully outside), and
also have a couple of butterfly valves either side of the Fernox TF1
magnetic / cyclonic filter. They get operated occasionally when cleaning
the filter or adding inhibitor.

> I need to re plumb couple of radiators and
> draining down complete system is a real pain. Im thinking i can put ball
> valves on pipe work and once completed turn on and leave on. It will be
> under a tiled suspended floor so not easily accessible for repair
> afterwards.

I would go for full bore valves with the butterfly handle like:

https://www.bes.co.uk/ball-valve-22mm-compression-blue-butterfly-handle-23365/

> Would I be better to cap off complete work and then freeze
> and use compression coupler to rejoin?

Not really. Obviously you retain that option whatever you do, but it
would be nice to keep that as a last resort.

--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

jkn

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Feb 9, 2023, 9:30:51 AM2/9/23
to
On Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 1:06:27 AM UTC, rod.sp...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Thu, 09 Feb 2023 11:15:04 +1100, HomeOwnersHub Advisor
> <369a6e9a872bbfd3...@example.com> wrote:
>
> GPTai is back.

Ironic on multiple levels

PeterC

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Feb 9, 2023, 1:03:53 PM2/9/23
to
On Thu, 9 Feb 2023 10:44:26 +0000, John Rumm wrote:

>> How long would you expect a pegler full bore lever operated ball valve
>> to last if not operated?
>
> While some seam to have problems with ball valves, I tend to find them
> OK - especially if you buy decent ones.

The outlet to my washing machine drips when off so I bought a Pegler to
replace it.
The old valve had barely - if any - overlap when closed; the Pegler has at
least a mm.
Haven't got a tuit yet so no idea if it works.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

Animal

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Feb 9, 2023, 10:52:36 PM2/9/23
to
On Thursday, 9 February 2023 at 00:15:07 UTC, HomeOwnersHub Advisor wrote:

> I understand you're asking about the longevity of a Pegler full bore lever operated ball valve that won't be operated. To address your concern, here's my best advice:
>
> + Consider the environment: Ball valves are made of materials that can deteriorate over time, so it's important to consider the environment they will be in. If the valves are in a damp, humid, or corrosive environment, they may not last as long as they would in a dry, protected area.

it'll seize long before it corrodes

> + Make sure the valve is suitable: Ball valves are designed for certain applications, so make sure that the type you've chosen is suitable for your specific needs. For example, if you're using the valve in a high-pressure system, make sure it's rated for that type of pressure.

can't see that being a problem with CH :)

> + Operate the valve regularly: If you're not going to be operating the valve, it's still a good idea to do so regularly. This will help keep the valve in good working order and prevent it from seizing up or becoming difficult to operate.

seizing is the main problem with ball valves. Not operating them can cause seizing

> + Consider the size of the valve: The size of the valve you choose can also impact its longevity. If the valve is too small, it may not last as long as a larger valve, as it will have to work harder to control the flow of water.

nonsense

> + Maintenance: Regular maintenance of your ball valve is important to keep it in good working order. This includes checking the valve for leaks, tightening any loose parts, and cleaning the valve if necessary.

nonsense

> Given the information above, I would advise you to cap off the work and then freeze and use a compression coupler to rejoin. This will be the simplest and most economical solution, as it will reduce the risk of damaging the valve or the surrounding pipes.

drain & refill is cheaper

> Tools you'll need:
>
> + Compression coupler
> + Freeze kit
> + Pipe cutter or hacksaw
> + Adjustable spanner or wrench
>
>
> Good luck!

you'll need it if you take a bot's advice
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