Gate Valves

Gate valves provide reliable on/off control for plumbing systems, delivering full-bore flow with minimal pressure drop when open and tight isolation when closed. Common on water mains, pump lines, HVAC loops, irrigation, and industrial services, a gate valve is designed to be either fully open or fully closed—not for throttling—which helps protect seats and prolong service life.

Construction options cover rising-stem and non-rising-stem designs, solid or flexible wedge gates, and resilient- or metal-seated variants. Bodies are available in brass and bronze for potable water, stainless steel for corrosive environments, PVC for light-duty and chemical resistance, and ductile iron for large diameters. End connections include threaded (NPT), sweat/solder, compression, flanged, and grooved, with common sizes from 1/2 in. to 12 in.+ and pressure classes typically from 125 to 300 PSI. Look for NSF/ANSI 61 listings for drinking water and UL/FM ratings for fire protection lines.

Key advantages of gate valves include very low head loss, straight-through flow that reduces clogging, and dependable shutoff for maintenance or emergency water shut-off needs. Their simple mechanism makes them a popular choice for isolation valves across plumbing and valve repair projects.

Selection tips:
- Match body and trim materials to the fluid, temperature, and environment.
- Choose rising stem for visual position indication; non-rising stem for tight spaces.
- Pick end connections to suit your piping method and code requirements.
- Verify pressure/temperature ratings and compatibility with media.
- For slurry or fibrous media, consider knife-gate styles designed for solids.

Installation and care are straightforward: install in line with the arrow or flow marking, support the piping, and avoid throttling. Open fully, then back off a quarter-turn to prevent sticking. Exercise the valve periodically, tighten the packing gland to stop stem leaks, and replace seals or the handwheel as needed to extend service life reliably.