11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (2024)

Valves play a vital role in your plumbing system. A plumbing system has different types of water shut-off valves at various points along the pipes. They allow you to regulate and stop water in emergencies or during repairs. Main shut-off valve types are made of different designs; there are those suited for simple ON-OFF water flow and others designed for adjusting the water flow volume.

The valves also come in different materials, including PVC plastic, brass, and bronze. So when looking for one to fit in your plumbing system, you need to go for the appropriate material for the type of pipe used in your plumbing system.

Are You Still wondering what a Shut-off Valve is?

Okay, this device cuts off the water supply to a pipe when activated. Now, let us know about the main water shut-off valve types.

What are the Different Types of Water Shut-off Valves?

Here are the eleven types of water shut-off valves used in home plumbing.

  1. Ball Valve
  2. Three-Way Water Shut-off Valve
  3. Gate Valve
  4. Sweat Stop Valve
  5. Globe Valve
  6. Straight Fixture Shut-off Valve
  7. Pressure-Reducing Valve
  8. Angled Fixture-off Valve
  9. Check Valve
  10. Compression Stop Valve
  11. Iron Pipe Stop Valve

Let’s discuss each one of them in detail.

01. Ball Valve

11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (1)

Ball valve water shut-offs are commonly used for branch lines’ shut-offs and the main water shut-offs. They’re designed for quick shut-off because they can open and close with a quarter turn of the handle.

Internally, ball valves have holes connected to the outer handle through their center. The valves open when the water supply pipe is parallel to the handle and close when it is perpendicular. The handle also acts as a visual aid; it helps you know when the water is on or off.

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02. Three-Way Water Shut-off Valve

11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (4)

Three-way water shut-off valves are used to connect multiple valves and are mostly found underneath the kitchen sink. They shut off the flow of fluid in one pipe to allow it to flow under high pressure in the other pipe. Primarily, these valves are used in steam and oil systems.

Three-way water shut-off valves have different advantages. They can be used in cold and hot water supplies and for various fluid types.

03. Gate Valve

11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (5)

Just like a ball valve water shut-off, a gate valve is the most common valve for water supply systems to control water flow. It uses a twist-type handle located at the top of the valve to lower or raise an internal gate. According to its design, it is either fully open or fully closed.

When turning off or on a water shut-off gate valve, the circular handle turns to lower or raise a metal gate inside the body of the valve. The gate stops the water flow when the valve turns off.

Sometimes its internal metal parts may corrode, making it stuck in an ON or OFF position. Sediment buildup inside the valve body can be the cause for the gate valve not shutting off water entirely. Mostly, these types of water shut-off valves are used in applications where the water doesn’t need to be shut off frequently.

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04. Sweat Stop Valve

11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (8)

Another main water shut-off valve type is the sweat stop valve, which is usually brazed to copper water pipes.They’re made of brass or copper. They are mainly used in the construction phase of a home. Since they’re installed into copper water pipes, removing them is difficult, but their durability is high.

05. Globe Valve

11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (9)

A globe valve looks like a ball valve water shut-off from the outside; it has a slightly bulbous body, hence the name. But unlike the ball valve, it is purposely made to regulate the flow of water that passes through the pipe. It’s mainly used where the water flow needs to be variably controlled, like in outdoor faucets and similar utility faucets.

06. Straight Fixture Shut-off Valve

11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (10)

The straight fixture valve operates like the angled fixture valve and is the main water shut-off valve type. However, unlike the angled fixture valve, it’s mainly used where water flow runs straight to the fixture. The valves help stop water from flowing back into the source.

They are commonly used when the water exits the floor rather than the wall. With a straight fixture shut-off valve, you can use a water shut-off gate valve to shut off the water in a specific area without shutting off the whole place.

07. Pressure-Reducing Valve

11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (11)

As the name suggests, these high-pressure water shut-off valves reduce the overall pressure of water in your plumbing system to the required limits. They have a diaphragm and a spring that can be adjusted to a specific limit depending on the water supply pressure.

Pressure-reducing valves are used mainly in homes that receive water at high pressure from the municipal water supply to avoid damaging appliances and house plumbing systems.

08. Angled Fixture-off Valve

11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (12)

Just like the gate valve, angled fixture shut-off valves have a small twist knob or right-angle water shut-off valve or handle that turns to close and open the valve.The valve allows you to shut off the water when doing replacement or minor repairs to the fixture itself without interfering with water flow to other areas.

A fixture shut-off valve is a type of water shut-off valve mainly used for pipes coming from the wall. They control the flow of water to individual plumbing fixtures, including toilets and faucets. The good thing about these valves is that they’re durable and close the plumbing in a specific area.

09. Check Valve

11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (13)

Do you have a back-flow water preventer installed on your sprinkler system and one of your outdoor faucets in your home? If yes, then those are examples of check valves. They are specialty valves that keep water flowing only in one direction.

Most types of these valves are not operational. Thus, they don’t have control handles. Check valves use different inner mechanisms, including diaphragm check designs and ball-check designs.

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10. Compression Stop Valve

11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (16)

Installing a compression-fitting water shut-off valve stop for an application that needs a quick shut-off is the way to go. They turn off the water quickly. The good thing about them is that they are easy to install. However, they may need complex equipment and tools, like a compression sleeve puller, to install them. These valves are primarily used in copper water pipes.

11. Iron Pipe Stop Valve

11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (17)

These valves are used in pipes with male threads. To install them on iron pipes, you’d need a screw. However, you’d need a male adapter to install them on copper or PVC pipes. They’re easy to install and last for a long time.

If you’ve read through the article, you know what you need to know about main water shut-off valve types. Do you use any of the mentioned valves in your home? If yes, please leave a comment in the comment box below and share with us your experience.

Knowing the various types of plumbing valves is essential, as they play an important role in plumbing systems. Look here to learn about different types of water valves –

The Complete Guide to Various Types of Valves in Plumbing Systems

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11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained (2024)

FAQs

11 Types of Main Water Shut-Off Valves Explained? ›

Ball valves may be the most reliable valve and are commonly used for main water shut offs. Similar to gate valves, ball valves should be all the way open to allow the full flow of water or all the way closed to restrict all water from flowing.

What type of valve is used for main water shut off valve? ›

Ball valves may be the most reliable valve and are commonly used for main water shut offs. Similar to gate valves, ball valves should be all the way open to allow the full flow of water or all the way closed to restrict all water from flowing.

How many shut off valves are there? ›

Main Water Shut-Off Valve Basics and Importance

Most homes actually have two such valves: One for outside water sources, which is generally controlled by the city you live in, plus one for your indoor plumbing and water areas.

What are the two main types of valves in water supply systems? ›

Here are some common types of valves in water supply systems and their significance:
  • Gate Valve: Gate valves are primarily used for on/off control of water flow. ...
  • Ball Valve: Ball valves offer quick and reliable on/off control.
18 Sept 2023

What are the different types of valves with explanation? ›

Types of Valves Used in Piping
  • The gate valve is a valuable piece of equipment used in many industrial applications. ...
  • Globe valves are widely used in various applications due to their ability to adjust fluid or gas flow. ...
  • A check valve is an essential equipment that helps maintain a balanced flow in various systems.
23 Jan 2023

What are the different types of valves and describe each? ›

Regulation Valves: Ball, butterfly, diaphragm, globe, needle, pinch, and plug valves. Safety Relief Valves: Pressure release and vacuum relief valves. Non-Return Valves: Swing check and lift check valves. Special Purpose Valves: Multi-port, float, foot, knife gate, and line blind valves.

What is the difference between pilot valve and main valve? ›

The main valve has the same pressure at the inlet and on the dome—the dome is the upper part of the main valve, and due to sectional area variation, drawback force is applied on the piston. The pilot opens when you increase the pressure and reach the set point. It disconnects the upper part of the piston.

Which valves are used for shut-off service? ›

Shutoff Valves: When And Where To Select A Butterfly Valve, A Gate Valve Or A Plug Valve. As their name suggests, shut-off valves are designed to ultimately stop fluid flow or throttle it back to achieve desired flow parameters.

What is a ball valve shut-off for water main? ›

A ball valve is a little different. A ball valve uses a ball with a hole in it to pivot into the right position. To turn a ball valve off, turn the lever so that it is perpendicular to the pipe. To turn it on, make sure the lever is parallel to the pipe.

Are all water shut off valves the same? ›

There are many different types of water valves design to stop the flow of water for repairs and emergencies. A main water valve stops the flow of water from the water meter to the entire house. Other water valve types shut off the water at individual appliances, fixtures and faucets.

What is the difference between a control valve and a shutdown valve? ›

Basically, the Shut-off valve is less accurate compared to the control valve. It either allows for unrestricted flow or restricts the flow completely. Shut-off valves are available in various styles like Ball, Plug, Butterfly, Gate, and Globe Valves.

What is the difference between a control valve and a shut-off valve? ›

Many people have trouble with the difference between control valves and on-off valves. Control valves and on-off valves serve different purposes depending on the degree of control you need for your system. Control valves are more precise, whereas on-off valves are more all-or-nothing.

What are the three main types of valves? ›

All of the most common types of automated valves fall into one of three main categories. They are linear, rotary, and self-actuated. There are a variety of valve types within each of these categories each having its own benefits.

What are the different types of 3 way valves? ›

There are two types of 3-way ball valves: L-Port and T-Port. An L-Port can send flow one way or the other or can shut it off completely. A T-Port will perform all the same flow tasks as an L-Port but cannot be shut off. In addition, the T-Port can mix flows by sending or receiving flow to/from both ways of the Tee.

What are the two types of 3 way valves? ›

Types of Three-Way Valves

There are two broad categories of three-way valves, namely L-port and T-port. The L and T nomenclature represents the fluid flow path through the three ports, depending on the configuration of ports and the connection to adjacent pipelines.

What is the best valve to control water flow? ›

When you need precise control over your application, a globe valve will be more accurate than a ball valve. Globe valves are considered the industry standard for control valves because they are good at regulating flow, whereas ball valves are better for on/off control without pressure drop.

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