Buying Guide: End Of Line Valves

End-of-Line valves are the valves located at the end of a run of pipes or tubing to stop or throttle the flow rate of gas or liquid. They are used indoors on appliances like washing machines and furnaces, and outdoors for applications like garden hose faucets and irrigation systems. Some are used for more general industrial applications. Old or broken valves can cost you a great deal of money over time, and proper installation is a key factor in delivering the most value. This guide will explain the differences between some of the most common end-of-line valves and give you the knowledge you need to choose the right valve for your next project.

Materials and Connections 
End-of-line valves are made of metal or plastic. If you are replacing a valve, take note of how the valve you are replacing connects to the pipe or line. Metal valves connect using threaded male or female connections, solder, or compression fittings. Plastic valves can be glued to plastic pipes. 

Types, Functions and Applications 
End-of-line valves fall into three broad uses: indoor, outdoor and general purpose.

Consult the table below for a simple breakdown of valve types, the equipment they work with, and their function.

Indoor Valves 

Type	Application	Function and Points to Consider
Boiler Drain Valve	Washing machine Water heater Boilers	Drains water and sediment May be used with both hot and cold water Removes waste water Removes waste water and empties it into a floor drain Sizes: ¾”, ½”
Radiator/Hydronic Valve	Radiator Baseboard heaters	Provides water balance and flow control to heating systems May use either steam/hot water or gravity-fed hot water Sizes: ½”, ¾”, 1”, ¼”
Water Stop Valve	Toilets Faucets	Controls water running to one fixture only Usually installed as a single stop valve for a toilet and one each for cold and hot water for a faucet

Outdoor Valves 

Type	Application	Function and Points to Consider
Sillcock	Garden hoses	Provides water to garden hoses Frost-free sillcocks are ideal for climates with freezing temperature Some areas require the sillcock to have a backflow preventer Sizes: ½”, ¾”
Yard Hydrant	Garden hoses	For use in large yards Connects to water line 1’ - 10’ below ground
Garden Valve	Sprinkler systems	Has large openings and provides a high flow rate Designs include bent nose for installation against a wall and inverted for use with a riser Sizes: ½”, ¾”, 1”
Irrigation Valve	Irrigation Systems	Made from brass or plastic Antisiphon valves prevent backflow Valve size may differ from pipe size Requires both control and emergency shutoff valves Sizes: ½” - 4"
Hose Bibb	Hoses	Controls water flow Supplies both hot and cold water Available in different sizes and designs Can be mounted horizontally to a wall or tank Sizes: ½”, ¾”

How to Size a Valve 
Choosing the right size valve is important. A valve that is too small won’t let the gas or liquid through at the proper rate; a valve that is too large can cause waste and flow stability problems.

Features to Consider 

Actuators 
Actuators open and close valves. Automatic actuators may be pneumatic, hydraulic or electric. Actuators are installed where valves are inaccessible, such as in pipelines or hazardous areas.

Timers 
Timers are used with automated valves. They allow you to preset operating times for irrigation systems and are useful in areas with water restrictions, off-peak rates, and for watering your lawn when you're on vacation.

Rising Stems 
A gate valve controls water flow by sliding a "gate" across the face of the valve, usually operated by a turn handle. If you install a valve with a gate design, look for one with a rising stem, which will make it easier to tell if the valve is open or closed at a glance.

Buying Guide: Solders and Flux

For decades, copper pipe has been one of the most common materials used to distribute water throughout the home. The most common technique used to join sections of copper pipe is called soldering. In the soldering process, heat is applied to the copper joint where the pipe and fitting meet and the gap between the joint is filled with molten metal.  This guide will help you identify the flux and solder appropriate for your project, so you can feel confident you’re getting the job done correctly.

Flux 
Flux may be made from organic or inorganic materials and is available in liquid and paste forms. 

Liquid flux features a strong cleaning agent which cleans oxidized copper. It is ideal for fast, effective soldering.

Paste flux cleans and fluxes simultaneously, is lead free and can be used on all metals except aluminum and stainless steel. Water-soluble paste flux is ideal for working with supply lines for drinking water.

Refer to the table below to identify the type of flux and solder you need.

Flux Type	Description	Points to Consider
Paste	Cleans and fluxes simultaneously	Lead free Removes surface oxidation from pipes Can be used on all materials except aluminum and stainless steel
Tinning Paste	Contains lead-free solder wire in powder form to clean and pre-tin the pipe surface and allow solder to easily draw into the joint	Ideal for use with large diameter copper pipe Little expertise needed for effective use
Hot Weather Formula Paste	For areas with high temperatures	Use the hot-weather formula in arid climates or on especially hot days
Water-Soluble Paste	Cleans and fluxes simultaneously	Ideal for working with supply lines for drinking water, copper, fire sprinklers and hydronic heating systems Meets plumbing code ASTM B-813 standards for flux used in potable water systems Meets plumbing code requirements for water flushable fluxes
Water-Soluble Tinning Paste	Contains lead-free solder wire in powder form to clean and pre-tin copper pipe surfaces and allow solder to easily draw into the joint	Won't turn copper green Meets ASTM Standard B-813 and is approved for use by model plumbing code Ideal for use with large diameter copper pipe Little expertise needed for effective use
Liquid	Cleans the surface of pipes and prepares them for solder	Features a strong cleaning agent which cleans oxidized copper Allows for fast, effective soldering

Solder 
Solder is a metal alloy comprised of different elements. Lead-free plumbing solders are required for use on pipes carrying drinking water, also known as potable water lines. The US Safe Water Drinking Act prohibits the use of leaded solders on lines carrying drinking water. Leaded solders are available for applications that will not come into contact with potable water, such as sheet metal repair, copper drain lines, etc.

Solder Type	Description	Points to Consider
Lead Free	Typical alloys consist of either tin, copper, bismuth and silver, or tin and antimony	Use on pipes carrying drinking water Must be used with external flux
Leaded Solid Wire	Typical alloy consists or tin and lead	Use for sheet metal repair, copper drain lines, etc. Must be used with external flux May be used for soldering or brazing Not for use with potable water applications
Acid Core Wire	Typical alloy consists of tin and lead or tin and antimony	General purpose solder for repairing galvanized gutters, filling metal seams, etc. Does not require external flux application Not for use with potable water applications
Rosin Core Wire	Typical alloy consists of tin and lead or tin and antimony	Use for electrical applications, including wiring and other fine electronic work such as printed circuit boards Does not require external flux application Not for use with potable water applications

Solder may also be used for a process similar to soldering called brazing, which requires its own special material and higher temperatures.

Brazing 
Brazing is another method for joining metal pipe pieces together. Hard solder, which is used for brazing, melts at higher temperatures and is available in various degrees of hardness. In general, soldering takes place at temperatures below 840° while brazing occurs at higher temperatures.

• Brazing is used when high joint strength is required.
• Brazing requires a different kind of flux and solder. The flux is formulated to withstand the higher temperatures associated with brazing. The filler is a different combination of metals that melt at a higher temperature and are stronger when cooled. 

As with any process that takes place at extremely high temperatures, there is equipment you can use and measures you can take to get the job done effectively and safely.

Safety 
Safety should always be one of your foremost concerns when soldering or brazing. Here are a few tips for getting the job done safely:

• Always use fire retardant protection like a heat cloth or flame protection blanket when working around combustible elements like wood, drywall and insulation
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby at all times
• Wear safety glasses, helmet and protective gloves
• Wash off excess flux after soldering to prevent corrosion
• Do not use flux on electrical parts
• Use adequate ventilation when fluxing and soldering, particularly in close quarters

Tools to Make Your Job Easier 

Tube Cutters 
Tube cutters help ensure smooth, even cuts when working with plastic tubing, minimizing the amount of time you’ll have to spend sanding and help ensure a better solder.

Flame Protector/Heat Shield 
If you’re heating a joint near combustible material, use a flame protector to shield the heat-sensitive material from damage.

Deburring Tool 
A deburring tool makes it much easier to remove burrs and rough edges from pipes once they’ve been cut.

Emery Cloth 
Use strips of emery cloth to clean and prepare copper pipe for the application of flux and solder.

Buying Guide: In-Line Valves

In-line valves start and stop the flow of water, gas and other materials, regulate flow rates, prevent water from flowing the wrong direction, and much more. The Home Depot carries a wide selection of valves, pipes and fittings to complete your supply line system. If you're going to install or replace an in-line valve yourself, this guide will help you choose the right valve. 

Connections 
Valves are made from a variety of materials and can be connected to pipe lines in a number of ways.  Some thread on with male or female connections while others are soldered into place or connected with a compression fitting. Plastic valves are usually glued into place.

Types of Valves 
Each type of valve is designed to perform specific functions and is suited to certain applications.  Refer to this table to determine the type of valve you need.

Type	Applications	Points to Consider
Ball	Starting and stopping flow	Handle is attached to a ball with a small hole in the center that allows flow when turned May be manually turned, air actuated or controlled by an electric motor Provides a leak-proof seal Full-port ball valves offer unrestricted water flow Standard and reduced-port valves restrict water flow by one and two pipe sizes Easy to operate
Butterfly	Starting and stopping flow Regulating flow	Uses a circular vane or disc to stop the flow of fluid Requires just a quarter turn of handle to fully open or close Provides a tight seal to minimize leakage Ideal for throttling applications Not for use with corrosive or abrasive material flows
Check	Preventing backflow	Uses a disc or flapper that swings or springs closed to allow flow in only one direction Operates automatically based on flow
Gate	Starting and stopping flow	Features a gate-like wedge that fits against the seat Opens and closes with a hand wheel Use for supply lines that are in constant use Not suitable for regulating flow volume
Globe	Regulating flow	Shuts off the flow with a rounded disc Opens and closes with a hand wheel Ideal for throttling applications and frequent use Not recommended where full, unobstructed flow is required Configurations include straight flow, angle flowand cross flow
Regulating	Reducing pressure in a line	Reduces high inlet pressure to a lower outlet pressure Keeps water pressure for home and irrigation systems at a constant level

Other Types of Valves 

Automated Valve Systems 
Pneumatic and electric valve systems make it easy to close hard-to-reach valves. Pneumatic systems are more economical and close valves very quickly while electric valve systems offer convenient motor power.

Saddle Valves 
Saddle valves are an ideal solution where low volume and low pressure are required, such as for icemakers, humidifiers or hot water dispensers.

Stop and Waste Valves 
These valves include an auxiliary opening on the side, for draining after the water has been shut off.