How long should a ball valve last?

[SlowlyButSurely]

One of the ball valves on our domestic fresh water system failed recently. The ball was not turning when the handle was moved. This ball valve was a normal brass valve bought from a plumbers merchant and was 32 years old. Is this the typical lifetime? Are some ball valves better than others? How can one tell the difference?

We also have two of the same ball valves on our diesel fuel lines, also 32 years old. Should I replace these as well?

 

[Plum]

For fuel, normal brass ones should last a very long time. I have had some wear at the drive connection between the shaft and ball, i guess like yours, so 32 years is a very good life. Domestic ones from, say, screwfix are cheep so I would replace them all for peace of mind

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Daydream believer]

I would go for "Peglar Yorkshire". One cannot really be sure what the quality or original source of any of the products are, but the Yorkshire brand is an old well established name in the plumbing industry

 

[vyv_cox]

Dezincification was first noticed in domestic plumbing fittings, most commonly in areas of 'soft' waters. We live in such an area, our water coming from peaty moorland areas, and the consequence has been some dezincification in my fittings, including ball valves. DZR brass, now widely used in yachts, was originally developed for the domestic market.

Your problem may be a little more complicated than straightforward dezincification. The ball in these valves is plated brass, which pits over years, increasing the turning friction and ultimately leading to stem failure. So it is impossible to predict a lifetime when there may be several different causes. There are some examples on my website at http://coxeng.co.uk/metallurgy/brasses-and-bronzes/

Because corrosion is the underlying cause it is highly unlikely that fittings in fuel lines would suffer the same problem.

 

[Topcat47]

My ball valves inevitably outlast the pressed steel handles.

 

[Plum]

My ball valves inevitably outlast the pressed steel handles.

The DZR ball valves from ASAP have stainless steel handles.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[philwebb]

+1 for Pegler. Quality kit, unlike some of the Ch—-se copies on sale at some of the plumbing shops.

 

[macd]

I would go for "Peglar Yorkshire". One cannot really be sure what the quality or original source of any of the products are, but the Yorkshire brand is an old well established name in the plumbing industry

The well-established brand of Pegler Yorkshire has far better credentials. One hazards that for seacock use their DZR range is also much to be preferred.

 

[Graham376]

I've had to replace several domestic Ball o Fix valves on present house at around 25 years old supplied by Welsh Water, whereas they lasted indefinitely on previous south Manchester house supplied IIRC from Lake district.

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

Thanks for all the replies chaps. Very informative.

Vyv - it failed exactly as you describe: the ball was badly pitted and had parted company with the stem.

 

[ninjasam17]

Depends mostly on the type. From my experience I have gotten a stainless steel one a few years ago and it works pretty well on its own. Just a matter of finding a reliable valve manufacturer who uses good materials.