Plumbing question

Richard · Sep 20, 2016

Let's guess and say about 10 years ago, I finished the basement bathroom.

I moved some (copper) pipes so took that opportunity to put some valves in to shut the bathroom down.

I installed ball valves.

Just this morning, I happened to be in that closet and noticed them. They say "Gas" on them....inferring they are for gas pipes and not water pipes.

(they soldered just fine onto the 3/4" copper I used)

Any issues with those?

I was going to turn them off and they were fairly difficult to turn, almost like some crud (calcium in my water) had built on them and made them not rotate very freely.

Should I flip them out for some gate valves?

(the one thing I liked about the ball valves was the ability to see the handle at a distance so I'd know if they were on/off)

By the way, I thought gas valves had yellow handles, these are red (if that makes any difference)

teejk · Sep 20, 2016

My gas valves are all red. I'm not a pro by any means but a true "ball valve" (especially in the "sweated" variety which I've never seen in gas applications because the pressure doesn't require it) should be fine for either. Now, "difficult to turn" might be a problem...my plumber friend said that the "ball" can get scratched and will lose its ability to seal (meaning you are supposed to "exercise" them occasionally but few people do). I personally never use gate valves for anything anymore. If it were me I'd turn your existing valves on and look for issues. Btw "shark-bite" sells ball valves if you need an emergency repair but my plumber friend refuses to use them behind a finished wall. Other than that, you have a lot of affordable alternatives (sweat, sweat/threaded, etc.) if you have a leak.

nybirdman · Sep 20, 2016

You should be fine,just open/close them once a year or so.

SPYDERLK · Sep 20, 2016

Lead in the valve maybe? For gas it wouldnt matter.

LD1 · Sep 21, 2016

SPYDERLK said:
Lead in the valve maybe? For gas it wouldnt matter.

That would be my concern as well.

Plumbing fittings made for potable water must be led free.

I have seen several valves, fittings, etc that specifically say on the packaging "not for potable water" as they contain some led.

mddorange · Sep 21, 2016

When I recently bought a ball valve, it stated that by law, no Lead could be used and they now work for either water or gas.

Richard · Sep 21, 2016

Hitting several comments from above:

I was actually in the closet to turn it on/off... 'exercise it' if you will. Discovered it's difficult to turn...BUT then... I've just had rotator cuff surgery, slap tear fixed and still battling "frozen shoulder" all in the same arm so I hardly have any strength.

I didn't notice (nor did I ever look) to see if it said anything about lead or potable water. hmm.... need to get the chair back out (they're higher up and a shelf in the way precludes me from seeing them from the floor unless I'm on other side of room)

teejk · Sep 21, 2016

mddorange said:
When I recently bought a ball valve, it stated that by law, no Lead could be used and they now work for either water or gas.

I think the newer valves will specify "WOG" (water/oil/gas). I guess if the OP had some old ones laying around and decided to use them, they might contain lead (if they were really old). I've never subscribed to the "lead" scare myself (think about it...solder used to contain a large amount of lead...was much easier to work with) and we're all still alive. I have to guess that the amount of lead "leeching" into the water supply is less than tiny I think otherwise you would have to re-sweat your joints every few years. But if that is a concern, replacement ball valves are not that pricey. And I would stick with ball-valves...gate valves are dinosaurs I think.

Raspy · Sep 24, 2016

Richard said:
I installed ball valves.

Just this morning, I happened to be in that closet and noticed them. They say "Gas" on them....inferring they are for gas pipes and not water pipes.

(they soldered just fine onto the 3/4" copper I used)

Valves designed specifically for Gas use are not sweat type. They are threaded.
Most plumbing valves are rated for water, oil and gas. They are likely to say WOG (water oil gas) Gas can be air, for instance. All of the ball valves I sweat in are rated for WOG.

You are fine on the valves you used

cat fever · Sep 24, 2016

Raspy said:
Valves designed specifically for Gas use are not sweat type. They are threaded.
Most plumbing valves are rated for water, oil and gas. They are likely to say WOG (water oil gas) Gas can be air, for instance. All of the ball valves I sweat in are rated for WOG.

You are fine on the valves you used

What Raspy said, and I would add; anytime you buy a ball valve make sure it says "full port". Look into the valve with it open and you'll see why.