Plumbing question

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

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.

Agreed. The problems are MASSIVELY overblown. And I'm speaking as someone who has been hospitalized with lead poisoning. (Mexican teapot. Not good.)

Elemental lead is pretty much benign. Until you get it into a salt form (as with many pottery glazes) it just doesn't do much.

Think about how many people are walking around with chunks of lead in their bodies. Another name for them is bullets. Unless the bullet is in a dangerous location, doctors often don't fish them out.

And most of us have enough mercury in our mouths to kill an infantry company, if it were in another form.

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.

Yep. Gate valves don't seal well at all.

 

[Richard]

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.

On this, I agree. That was one of the reasons I grabbed them is they were totally open when the valve was open. I didn't want any restriction inserted because of the valve.