Gate valve broke.

[ZINXYX]

Hi,
I got fantastic advice from here and sorted out my shower. However it has stopped working again. I have on investigation discovered that the gate valve on the cold water pipe is broken. Will I need a pro or can I do it myself? If I do shall I go for the ball valve?
Thank you.

 

[lame plumber]

totally your choice,u know your limits we don't

 

[ShaunCorbs]

As above and the next question do you have the tools to sort it

 

[joni os]

Full flow lever ball valve should have same dimension as 15mm gate valve and be easy replacement. In most cases nuts and olives will be compatible. Drain down and go for it.

 

[spanner]

As above and as above... if you DO use the same type of gate valve, don't fully open leave at least an 8th of a turn before "fully open", as this is what causes valve to seize when it's "BUCKED" fully operational because the mechanisms build up with limescale algae etc all weld together. As these gate valve things are only manually ever close once once installed. As you're experiencing

 

[kay-jay]

As above and as above... if you DO use the same type of gate valve, don't fully open leave at least an 8th of a turn before "fully open", as this is what causes valve to seize when it's "BUCKED" fully operational because the mechanisms build up with limescale algae etc all weld together. As these gate valve things are only manually ever close once once installed. As you're experiencing

It's lack of use that causes the problem. Once it's seized up the brass will shear off the spindle whichever way you turn it. But lime you say as long as you know it ain't fully open you know you can try to turn it both ways.
I always recommend they get operated periodically but I know they won't. ...

If I have to use them I always slacken the gland nut. You have a better chance of not buggering it up [emoji6]

 

[plumbandplumber]

If you do go for another gate valve, get something decent like a Pegler. Not the 3 quid ones from Screwfix.

 

[firemant]

What makes you think it is broken

And +1 for pegler only, or a quality full bore 1/4 turn valve