Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. Most folks don’t need all the bells and whistles unless their place is older or they travel a lot. Have you ever had a valve stick when you really needed it though? Sometimes the old-school stuff fails at the worst time...
Have you ever had a valve stick when you really needed it though? Sometimes the old-school stuff fails at the worst time...
Man, you’re not kidding. I’ve seen those “tried and true” shutoffs seize up more times than I can count, usually when water’s spraying everywhere and you’re half asleep. Sometimes a cheap ball valve upgrade is worth every penny, just for peace of mind. Old school is cool till it floods the kitchen.
I swear, those old gate valves are like the Russian roulette of plumbing. You twist and pray, and half the time they just laugh at you while water keeps pouring out. I swapped mine for ball valves after one too many “midnight mop-up” sessions. Anyone ever tried those quarter-turn lever ones? Wondering if they’re as reliable as folks say, or if I’m just tempting fate again...
Those quarter-turn ball valves are a lifesaver compared to the old gate style. I swapped out a whole basement’s worth after one too many “surprise showers” mid-repair. Never looked back. Only thing—don’t cheap out on the lever ones. Had a budget valve seize up once and it was déjà vu all over again... but mostly, they’re solid.
I get the hype for ball valves, but I’ve actually had a couple stick on me after a few years—especially in spots where there’s a bit of moisture or they don’t get turned much. Honestly, I still keep a soft spot for the old gate valves in certain places, just because you can sometimes “work” them free if they start to seize. With ball valves, once they’re stuck, that’s pretty much it... and if you force it, you’re risking a cracked housing. Not saying don’t use them, but I always give ‘em a test spin every few months just to be safe.
