Gate valves definitely have their quirks, but I've seen ball valves fail too—usually from cheap materials or improper installation. Had a call once where the homeowner proudly showed me his new ball valve, only to find it leaking at the handle stem because someone overtightened it during install. Quality matters, but regular maintenance and occasional exercising of valves can save headaches later. Curious if anyone here schedules routine valve checks or just waits until there's trouble?
"Curious if anyone here schedules routine valve checks or just waits until there's trouble?"
Honestly, I wish more folks did regular checks... but from experience, most wait till something's leaking or stuck shut. Ever had to wrestle with a valve that hasn't budged in decades? Fun times.
"Ever had to wrestle with a valve that hasn't budged in decades? Fun times."
Haha, been there... but honestly, prevention's the way to go. I try to do a quick valve check at least once or twice a year—just takes a few minutes. Here's my routine: first, close and open each valve slowly to make sure they're turning smoothly; second, look for any drips or corrosion; third, listen carefully for weird noises (like hissing or knocking). Saves me from surprise waterworks later on... usually.
Had a valve under the sink that hadn't moved since probably the late 80s... I practically needed Thor's hammer to budge it. Lesson learned: check valves BEFORE emergencies happen, not during a midnight plumbing crisis.
Had a similar issue last winter—went to shut off the main water valve in the basement, and it was practically fossilized. Probably hadn't been touched since Reagan was president. Ended up wrestling with it for half an hour, muttering curses under my breath. Makes me wonder how many other valves around the house are quietly waiting to ambush me at the worst possible moment... Guess I'll be spending next weekend checking them all.
