Full bore or restricted? Opinions please.

[TerryH]

Just canvassing opinions here.
What do you think is better and why?
Full bore isolation valves, (gate valves or quarter turn lever valves) or the cheaper restricted ball valves?
I prefer the full way quarter turn lever valves, on the customers acceptance. They are full flow (obviously ), less likely to sieze than gate-valves..... and when it comes to maintenance, a gift to the next bloke in the queue!
TerryH.

 

[leakylea]

Full bore every time, some of the isolation devices reduce the water that much its a joke, i went to a bath this week 15mm feeds with cheap isolators on, that reduced it to 10mm. along with compression flexis reducing down to 8mm.
changed to full bore valves with properly plumbed tails to taps,what a difference.

 

[MarkB]

I tend to use full bore isolation valves where the rest of the pipework isn't going to be restricted ie 1/2" or 3/4" tap tails and not flexis from monoblocks and I always use full bore 1/4 turn lever valves instead of gate valves as the gates never seem to shut fully after they've been installed for a while and it makes future isolation so much easier

Mark

 

[TerryH]

Yes, I have to say that full bore certainly makes much more sense. As you so rightly say, some of the ball valves reduce the flow very dramatically, the difference is so obvious.
Also agree the lever operated valves, while probably the most expensive option are far more reliable..... when I have attended jobs and seen those babies, I thank the bloke that put them there! How often have you tried to stop the cold feed to a hot-water cylnder and found the gate valve siezed or worse, the spindle breaks?
Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[John Flower]

Not just the spindle breaking on gate valves,its when the gate drops down closing the valve. Easily avoidable with a little preventable maintenance,i.e turning the gatevalves on and off every six months.

 

[TerryH]

Again,yes.
I'm in the habit now that when I come across a stiff gate valve, I tell the customer of the potential failure, insisting that I'm not touting for work, but if it siezes closed, then it has to be changed.
Dodgy little b******!!
TerryH