plumbing systems

Valves are so common and integral a part of watershape construction that it’s easy to take them for granted and not think about exactly what each specific type is designed to do. In fact, observes hydraulics expert Steve Gutai, the efficiency and serviceability of a great many installations could be improved if system designers and builders took fuller advantage of the range of valve choices and their characteristics – an information gap he addresses here.

Valve Values

Watershape construction is far more sophisticated now than at any time in history. Swimming pools, for instance, are commonly designed to include spas with complex jet manifolds and a wide variety of controllable effects, while vanishing edges, perimeter-overflow details, multiple water levels and various water-in-transit designs are also increasing in popularity. Fountains and waterfalls and the full range of other waterfeatures also are more elaborate, and what all of them require are well-planned systems of valves to control and divert water to all the necessary components, effects and details. These are situations in which valve choice is, in fact, critical to hydraulic-system design. The many types of valves can be separated into three specific categories roughly according to application. There are some that divert water, others that isolate water and still others that